Baptism (What shall we do? Part 4)

Baptism necessary for salvation? Really? This teaching is not popular in contemporary Christianity. But what do the scriptures say?

Gospels

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God!

Acts

Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?
Act 2:38 And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name.

Epistles

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Rom 6:2 God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?
Rom 6:3 Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

1Co 12:13 For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

1Pe 3:20 that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water:
1Pe 3:21 which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;

These passages, taken together paint a pretty clear picture. Baptism is a washing and it is a burial. Romans 6 describes it as a death. In baptism we are dying to our old way of life and being raised by the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit to walk in newness of life. It is clear from Acts 2 and Acts 22 it is during baptism that our sins are first washed away. Peter says that baptism now saves us, not because we are physically washed by the water, but because our consciences are cleansed through the power of Christ's resurrection.

Objections

There are many objections to the idea that water baptism (immersion) is necessary for salvation.

A prominent objection is "baptism is a work and salvation is not of works". Interestingly, baptism is not a work done by the believer. Baptism is something that is done to the believer. As Martin Luther said, baptism is a work, but it is a work of God. The real "work" in baptism is the spiritual resurrection and sanctification done by the Holy Spirit. The only thing the believer does is submit and allow it to happen.

Another objection is "I just don't see what immersion in water has to do with forgiveness of sins. I have repented. I have expressed my faith in Jesus. Why isn't that enough? I just don't get it. I don't understand why I have to be baptized." My answer to those questions is, "I don't know why, but I know that is what the scriptures say." Perhaps the Lord asks us to submit to baptism precisely because we won't understand it. If you only obey when you understand why, is that faith?

Another classic objection is "what about the thief on the cross?" The Lord said to the thief on the cross, "Today you will be with me in paradise." It is often asserted that since the thief wasn't baptized, then baptism is unnecessary. Exceptional circumstances do not invalidate the rule. What does the thief's circumstance have to do with you? If you ever find yourself on a cross next to Jesus, then this passage may have some relevance. But that is not your circumstance. The scriptures still say "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins."

-PG