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The main focus of this
study is to determine if baptism is required for salvation. A second
question may be posed as to whether or not a person who claims to be a
Christian needs to be baptized at any time because many people will make the
statement that if a person isn't baptized than they're not really a
Christian. The following passages will shine some light on the topic.
Matthew 3:11 I baptize
you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more
powerful than I ... He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
If water baptism is still required for repentance, as John explains the
reason for baptism, we would have to be baptized every time we sin. However,
John proclaimed that a new form of baptism would be instituted. Jesus never
baptized anyone, they were baptized by the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 3:15
Jesus replied
[in response to John baptizing him]
"Let it be so now, it is proper
for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness."
Jesus was sinless, yet he was baptized. In the same way that Jesus was
crucified for our sins, he was baptized for us all. "To fulfill all
righteousness" signifies that, like his blood to cover sin, his baptism
makes us righteous. As we don't need to be crucified to shed our own blood
to cover our sins, the same can be said that we don't need to be baptized
with water to become righteous.
Matthew 28:19
Therefore go and make disciples
of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus gave this
command, he didn't say how the baptism was to be performed. It may be
dangerous here to use assumptions to create and perpetrate church practices.
Mark 10:38,39
Can you drink the cup I drink or
be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?
[The disciples answer yes.]
You will drink the cup I drink
and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with.
The cup here doesn't refer to what we call the last supper, but to the cup
of sorrow and death which Jesus prayed about at Gethsemane [Mark 14:36].
With the exception of John, the disciples all died agonizing deaths for
their beliefs. There's no mention anywhere in the Bible of any of the
original twelve receiving water baptism (and we can only assume the few
who were followers of John did so); however, all except for Judas were
baptized by the Holy Spirit.
Mark 16:16
Whoever believes and is baptized
will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
This is one of the most quoted verses people use to say that water baptism
is required for salvation. As in Matthew 28:19, no mention is made of water.
Why does it state baptized to be saved, but not state if you're not baptized
you're condemned? It's obvious in other passages that once we're saved,
we're baptized by the Holy Spirit. The reason the word "baptized" is left
out of the second part is because we know those who
don't believe have't been baptized by the Spirit.
John 4:1,2
The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than
John, although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples.
If water baptism was/is required for salvation, then Jesus himself would've
baptized people. It couldn't be reasoned that he was too important or didn't
have the time to perform the ritual. If Jesus believed baptism was a
requisite for salvation, he would've baptized people as he taught them.
Acts 1:5
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the
Holy Spirit. In the previous verse [Acts 1:4] Jesus speaks of the
"gift my Father promised". Here Jesus is placing an emphasis on the
importance of being baptized by the Holy Spirit and relegating water baptism
to a symbolic act.
1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ did not send me to
baptize, but to preach the gospel. Here Paul is referring to baptism
by water. If this form of baptism was required for salvation, Jesus would've
commanded Paul to baptize as he taught. Some have argued that not only were
the new believers to seek baptism soon, but they would be saved even if
they died before that baptism because the intent to be baptized was in their
hearts and minds. There's no middle ground, either something is required for
salvation or it isn't. Some people have it in their hearts and minds to
accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, but they never fully commit to accepting
the truth. No true belief and no repentance means no salvation. What applies
to one, applies to both. If something is a requirement for |
