Baptism

I am going out on a limb here and writing this but it is such an important concept and one that I have been studying relentlessly this year. I live with a Mormon roommate and his belief and mine do not correlate with one another. I also lived with a Catholic for many years. Both of them believed that baptism is essential albeit a requirement of salvation. I however disagree. Baptism is important but salvation comes by faith and repentance alone.

A lot of different faiths believe that baptism is meant to also be part of the salvation process. Despite the fact that faith stands alone in the vast majority of passages as necessary for salvation, there are a few verses which connect baptism and faith together as necessary for salvation. 1 Peter 3:21 is often cited as evidence for salvation by baptism. However, when this verse and others are carefully studied and taken in context it becomes clear that baptism is not necessary for salvation. Scripture interprets scripture and it is very important to read a verse in context. Understanding this verse in context with the rest of Scripture, you would see that water is a visual sign that symbolizes baptism of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism alone cannot save us.

Baptism is a very important subject because the religions that claim it is a requirement for salvation make it absolutely necessary for salvation. Anyone who is not baptized cannot be saved, and thus no hope can come to anyone in prison, anyone minutes away from death, or anyone alone with no one to baptize them. This is grossly wrong.

God requires certain things for salvation and if the requirements are not met there is no salvation. So what is required for Salvation?

• Belief (also referred to as faith) in Jesus Christ, Savior, and the only way to God the Father. (John 3:18, John 5:24, John 6:29, John 14:6, Acts 4:12).
  Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6.
• Repentance of sins. (Mark 1:15, Luke 13:5, 1 John 1:9). I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Luke 13:5.
  

Bearing fruit and baptism are critical for a relationship with Jesus; however, as the parable of the talents shows us in Mathew 25:14-30, God has given more to some and less to others. This has many applications, however, for the issue of baptism this relates to time. A person at the edge of death does not have time to bear fruit and become baptized. Therefore, bearing fruit and being baptized, although very important, cannot be a requirement for salvation. The thief next to Jesus on the cross was not baptized nor bore fruit, yet Jesus assured him that he would be in paradise with Him. (Luke 23:32-43) This example shows us that if the thief was saved through belief and repentance, then those are the requirements of salvation. God would not set different standards for us. The Bible indicates one standard; belief and repentance.

With belief (faith) and repentance comes the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is necessary for salvation (Acts 11:15-17, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Corinthians 12:3, Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 4:30). And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14. There is a significant difference between John the Baptist’s baptism with water and Jesus Christ’s baptism of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 3:11 and Acts 1:5 are just two examples of this difference in baptisms. John indicates that his baptism with water is lesser in comparison to Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is made clear from Scripture that without the Holy Spirit a person cannot be saved. Acts 19:1-7 is a perfect example of how baptism with water alone does not mean that a person has the Holy Spirit within them.

So, what is the purpose of baptism if it is not a requirement for salvation? One of the purposes is that it is a sign of what has taken place in our hearts. First, we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, and then we are baptized as a sign to everyone that we are a new creation in Christ. Baptism is essentially the New Covenant version of the Old Covenant circumcision. Circumcision was a sign to the people that a person was a Jew and was sanctified before the Lord. G.I. Williamson in The Westminister Confession of Faith – for study courses, describes how the bloody sign of circumcision of the Old Covenant is now the bloodless sign of baptism of the New Covenant. Paul in Colossians 2:11-12 and Philippians 3:3 connects circumcision and baptism together. Romans 2:25-29 and Romans 4:9-12 describe the spiritual aspect behind circumcision. This directly correlates to the spiritual aspect of baptism. Water baptism itself does not mean that you are justified by God just like circumcision by itself does not mean that one was justified by God.

I encourage anyone reading this to not just read my words but to pick up the Bible and see what the word of the Lord says. There are numerous other passages that I have not quoted that also relate to this subject. I also accept any comments/debate about what I have written. I am not a theologian but just hungry for God's word and seek to bring others to His glorious kingdom. I only ask that you do not slander me because of my beliefs. If you feel you can prove otherwise then by all means I am up for a healthy debate.


Special thanks to my friend Jason Tyser for his research into this subject as well. Most of what is written here has been adapted from his research and study.