Baptism - Essential for salvation, or not?

Question

I am interested to know your thoughts regarding baptism, especially if you have scripture to back it up.

In particular, I would like to know your belief regarding infant baptism (not dedication) vs. baptism upon salvation as well as whether you believe that baptism is essential for salvation.

The first issue (infant vs. salvation baptism) is one I have always struggled with. I was raised (and am a member of) Presbyterian and was baptized as an infant myself. However, I spent a good bit of time in a Baptist church, and know the other side, so to speak. It's still an issue I struggle with--I've heard arguments for either, and they all made sense. I'm not a theologian and don't understand it well enough to claim a full grasp of the concept.

The bigger question is whether it is essential for salvation. I have always believed that salvation is through faith in Christ alone. Baptism is done out of obedience to Christ, who calls us to be baptized in His name. The act of baptism alone will not save you; it is simply representative of your repentance and cleansing. However, I have begun talking to someone who is a member of the Church of Christ, which believes that baptism IS essential to salvation (in that if you aren't baptized, you aren't saved). I have a lot of trouble fathoming that concept, because God tells us that salvation is through faith alone, not works, and baptism is simply a work of man to represent God's work in us--the ultimate baptism of the Holy Spirit. However, I highly respect this person, and we're pretty close. This issue is keeping us apart, but I don't want to change my mind based on my feelings about this person. However, if this person really does have a scriptural basis for this belief, I want to know so that I can study and explore more. He is certainly more of a Bible scholar than I am and spent about a year just trying to figure out this issue for himself before he came to that conclusion. And yes, we do discuss it, but I wanted input from others as well (particularly others outside of this relationship).

Thoughts or opinions? Scripture?

Answer 1

Not essential.

Answer 2

No. If one has everlasting life the moment he believes, as Jesus plainly promises, and he is baptized after he believes, then it is clear that he is saved before he ever gets to the baptismal waters. Therefore, water baptism is not essential to salvation. If one must be baptized after he believes, in order to be saved, then why do preachers make people wait about being baptized? Why would a preacher teaching that baptism is essential to salvation tell a believer to wait until next Sunday, or perhaps even until the first Sunday in the next month? If I really believed that water baptism was necessary for salvation, I would build me a portable baptistry, put it on the back of a truck, and keep it with me all the time, wherever I went. The moment a man trusted Christ, I would make sure he got baptized immediately, lest he die before the scheduled time for baptizing at the local church.

Answer 3

Some weighty theological words are important here--sacrament and efficacious.



No one believes salvation is a WORK that is essential to salvation. Those who believe that baptism is essential see baptism as a SACRAMENT, a means authorized by Christ to deliver grace to an individual. Think of it this way: someone buys you a new car--a great gift of grace! They then determine a way to deliver it to you. They may ask you to pick it up at a certain location and sign for it. If you do not do that, do you get the car? Does the act of going to a specific place and signing your name EARN the car? Of course not.



The second characteristic of some who believe baptism is essential is the belief that it is EFFICACIOUS--that is, that the act itself does something. That is the heart of infant baptism. Since the act itself does something, it does not matter that the subject of baptism is unable to consent to it.



I come from a Church of Christ tradition, and I can tell you that all of us do not believe the same as your friend. I hold to neither a sacramental nor efficacious baptism (sometimes called baptismal regeneration). I DO believe that the New Testament practice was for one accepting Christ to be baptized without exception and without delay. I see no reason to vary from that practice today.

Answer 4

I would need to see scripture supporting the idea that baptism is a work of man.



Dunking someone in the water and calling them baptized would not save them - that isn't baptism. It's also not an act by which we can earn salvation.



When Noah built the ark, was it through works or God's grace that he and his family were saved? I'd say God's grace. His works alone could not save him. His obedience was necessary as was his faith that led him to build even though no one around him could understand what he was doing.



In the same way, our obedience to God does not save us. It is necessary - but not able to save us. Our salvation is only in our faith in God to do the saving. Obedience is the testimony of our faith.



If Noah had built the ark thinking that by doing so he was saving himself, what do you think would have happened to him? ;o)



If he had faith that God could save him, but refused to build the ark, what do you think would have happened to him?



Hebrews 13 describes all the actions (works) of those whose faith saved them. That tells me that faith is acting upon what we believe to be true in the trust that God will save us rather than simply having belief in God.

Answer 5

THE MEANING OF YOUR BAPTISM

Jesus said that his disciples would be baptized “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) This means that a baptism candidate recognizes the authority of Jehovah God and of Jesus Christ. (Psalm 83:18; Matthew 28:18) He also recognizes the function and activity of God’s holy spirit, or active force.—Galatians 5:22, 23; 2 Peter 1:21.



However, baptism is not a mere bath. It is a symbol of something very important. Going beneath the water symbolizes that you have died to your former life course. Being raised up out of the water indicates that you are now alive to do the will of God. Remember, too, that you have made a dedication to Jehovah God himself, not to a work, a cause, other humans, or an organization. Your dedication and baptism are the beginning of a very close friendship with God—an intimate relationship with him.—Psalm 25:14.



Baptism DOES NOT guarantee salvation. The apostle Paul wrote: “Keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) Baptism is only a beginning.



No Infant Baptism. In view of the fact that ‘hearing the word,’ ‘embracing the word heartily,’ and ‘repenting’ precede water baptism (Ac 2:14, 22, 38, 41) and that baptism requires the individual to make a solemn decision, it is apparent that one must at least be of age to hear, to believe, and to make this decision. An argument is made by some in favor of infant baptism. They refer to the instances where ‘households’ were baptized, such as the households of Cornelius, Lydia, the Philippian jailer, Crispus, and Stephanas. (Ac 10:48; 11:14; 16:15, 32-34; 18:8; 1Co 1:16) They believe that this implies that small babies in those families were also baptized. But, in the case of Cornelius, those who were baptized were those who had heard the word and received the holy spirit, and they spoke in tongues and glorified God; these things could not apply to infants. (Ac 10:44-46) Lydia was “a worshiper of God, . . . and Jehovah opened her heart wide to pay attention to the things being spoken by Paul.” (Ac 16:14) The Philippian jailer had to “believe on the Lord Jesus,” and this implies that the others in his family also had to believe in order to be baptized. (Ac 16:31-34) “Crispus the presiding officer of the synagogue became a believer in the Lord, and so did all his household.” (Ac 18:8) All of this demonstrates that associated with baptism were such things as hearing, believing, and glorifying God, things infants cannot do. At Samaria when they heard and believed “the good news of the kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ, they proceeded to be baptized.” Here the Scriptural record specifies that the ones baptized were, not infants, but “men and women.”—Ac 8:12.



Complete Immersion. From the definition of baptism as stated earlier, it is clear that baptism is complete immersion or submersion in water, not a mere pouring or sprinkling. The Bible examples of baptism corroborate this fact. Jesus was baptized in a sizable river, the Jordan, and after being baptized he came “up out of the water.” (Mr 1:10; Mt 3:13, 16) John selected a location in the Jordan Valley near Salim to baptize, “because there was a great quantity of water there.” (Joh 3:23) The Ethiopian eunuch asked to be baptized when they came to “a body of water.” They both “went down into the water.” Afterward they came “up out of the water.” (Ac 8:36-40) All these instances imply, not a small ankle-deep pool, but a large body of water into and out of which they would have to walk. Further, the fact that baptism was also used to symbolize a burial indicates complete submersion.—Ro 6:4-6; Col 2:12.

Historical sources show that the early Christians baptized by immersion. On this subject the New Catholic Encyclopedia (1967, Vol. II, p. 56) states: “It is evident that Baptism in the early Church was by immersion.” Larousse du XXe Siècle, Paris, 1928, says: “The first Christians received baptism by immersion everywhere where water was found.”

Answer 6

Different branches of Christianity understand baptism differently. Those that get offended with infant baptism, which is done by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans and many others, say that a baby has no actual sin and therefore it does nothing. But they misunderstand - there is a difference between remission of ORIGINAL sin and remission of ACTUAL sin. The ones that say you need to be old enough are interested in ACTUAL sin. The others are focused on original sin - Eve and the apple, and all that. Both are valid beliefs and I hate seeing people call the practice of infant baptism "unbiblical". It's not unbiblical...it's not mentioned at all.



nursed: I think you'll find that the Bible says that Jesus baptized entire families. That would include infants. Also, how do you know the thief on the cross wasn't baptized?

Answer 7

Mark 16:16 He that believes AND is baptized shall be saved...



Acts 2:38 "...be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ into the forgiveness of your sins..."



1 Peter 3:21 "... baptism also now saves us..."



Belief and repentance must precede baptism (Mk. 16:16, Acts 2:38), so infant baptism is meaningless.



All through the book of Acts, the apostles baptized their new converts immediately, by immersion in Jesus' name. They obviously felt it was important. And the words of Jesus and Peter in the above verses concur.



There is no scripture that says it's symbolic, or an outward sign, or anything like that. Scripture says its for the forgiveness of sins.

Answer 8

Well, I don't necessarily have scripture right now (I don't have my Bible with me). But, I believe that baby baptism is not right- Jesus never did it, and there is never any mention of infant baptism in the Bible- it's always an adult who has accepted Christ already.



I don't think baptism is necessary to salvation, because Jesus told the thief at his side on the cross- "today you will be with me in paradise." I think those words actually give us a lot in the way of salvation- there is no purgatory (TODAY, not in a month after you sit in a holding cell for a while, not after I come back... today), and it tells us baptism isn't necessary- "today you will be with me in paradise," not after that guard dunks your head in a pot of water, not- get down off this cross run to the river and baptize yourself, today, nothing further to do.

Answer 9

My dear, you are talking about man made concepts. In fact they are non essential to our existence--UNLESS you buy the whole fall

of man-sin-salvation bit. Which I don't, anymore. No one knows for sure if there is a God, and even if there is we cannot possibly discern a God's thoughts---we are even told that in the Bible. From my own experience, studying about a Creator until you're blue in the face gains you nothing. Kindness to self and others ( the Golden Rule) is all that really counts.

Answer 10

If it wasn't essential then why is it mentioned so much in the Bible?



If it wasn't essential, then why was Christ Himself baptized? I think He did it to show that it is important--essential--and to show us the correct path we should take.



Wasn't Christ's life supposed to be an example for us all?

Answer 11

You said, “baptism is a work of man”. John’s baptism was different than the one Christ commanded (See Acts 19:1-3), but there is a point that was made by Jesus; “The baptism of John—where was it from? From heaven or from men?” (Matt. 21:25)



I ask, "The baptism of Christ - where was it from? From heaven or from men?"



Who commanded baptism? If God commanded it, then it is not simply “a work of men”. No ordinary man invented it! It is a work that was established, authorized and commanded by God! It is from God and not from men!



Baptism is the point in time when a repentant believer becomes a Christian (saved). Baptism is how God has appointed for us to receive the gift of salvation.



1 Peter 3:21 says, “…baptism now saves you -- not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (NASB)



Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16)



Many will tell you someone believes, is saved, and then he shall be baptized. This is not the same thing Jesus said. It is not in the same order.



What would Jesus have said if he had meant, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved”?



I believe he said what he meant. I believe Jesus! “He that believes not shall be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)



Many agree that baptism is commanded by Christ, but they say it is not necessary for salvation. However, Heb. 5:9 says, “He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”



According to this verse, in order to be saved it is necessary to obey Christ, therefore it is necessary to be baptized since Christ commanded it.



Acts 2:38 says that baptism is “for the remission of sins”, “unto the remission of sins” or “so that your sins will be forgiven”. (Depending on which translation you read.)



In the conversion of Saul (Paul), Acts 22:16 says he was commanded to be baptized and wash away his sins. Can we be saved if our sins remain? The blood of Christ washes away sins (Rev 1:5) .



Romans 6:3-4 says we are “baptized into Christ”. Can we be saved outside of Christ? (See Gal. 3:27 also.) These verses in Romans also say we are “baptized into his death”. At Christ’s death is where his saving blood was shed and offered for our sins. We must contact His death to contact that blood! Can we be saved if we have not contacted His death?



How can our sins be washed away by the blood (Revelation 1:5) if we have not contacted that blood? To contact the blood, we must contact His death where the blood was shed!



Romans 6 also says at baptism we “rise to walk in newness of life.” At a birth there is a new life. Can we be saved if we have not been “born again” to this new life in Christ?



After Jesus gave the command about baptism, every conversion example specifically mentions baptism and it was always immediately done.



Some point to the thief on the cross, before Jesus commanded of baptism. He could not have obeyed a command that had not yet been issued. Also the death, burial, and resurrection that baptism now represents had not occurred at that time. How could he be baptized into Christ's death, when Christ had not yet died? How could he have been “buried with Christ” (Col. 2:12) when Christ had not yet been buried? How could he rise from baptism “in the likeness of His resurrection” when Christ had not yet risen?



Those before Christ's death lived under the Old Testament. The New Testament came into effect after Christ died and rose again. (Hebrews 9:15-17) And remember, it was after His death that Jesus commanded baptism (Mark 16:16, Matt. 28:18-20) All those who now live after that point in time are subject to the New Testament and to that command.



The thief on the cross was at the scene of Christ's death. We are not in that position. Again, it is through baptism that we contact His death!



Paul is a good example of baptism’s necessity. He spoke to Jesus, called Him “Lord” and he asked what he needed to do to be saved. Jesus told him to go into the city and it would be told to him what he “must do”. In the city he fasted for 3 days and he prayed. (Acts 9:9-11) Many say he was saved at that point, but he still had not been told what he “must do”.



Then he was told to be baptized and wash away his sins “calling on the name of the Lord”. Obviously, “calling on the name of the Lord” involved more that saying ‘Lord’, more than praying, more than belief and more than repentance. Saul had done all of these, but he still needed to call on the name of the Lord!



The phrase “calling on the name of the Lord” means to rely on His authority. Saul had not done this until he did what the Lord instructed, namely “be baptized”. (Mark 16:16, Matt. 28:18-20, read Luke 24:47 along with Acts 2:5 & 38).



Note, even though he had not eaten or drank for 3 days, he was baptized before he took food. (Acts 9:18-19) This shows the urgency of baptism. In fact, none of the new converts in the book of Acts ate, drank, or slept until they were baptized!

Answer 12

you are saved by grace not by works lest any man boost its pretty simple baptism is a act of obedience not a means for salvation in response to your explanation Christ demonstrated this to by example in being baptized by John the Baptist it wasn't for Christs salvation but showing obedience to God thus the example to us

Answer 13

according to the Bible it is.



John 3: 5

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.



EDIT:

Small children don't need to be baptized, they are innocent and cannot sin.

Answer 14

Nope, I believe that when it was said that the Holy Spirit will baptise you in fire, it meant that He will perform what water baptism may have done before.



Chris: what denomination are you speaking from? I rather like that idea.

Answer 15

water baptism is not required to be saved.

water baptism does not save you.

infant baptism means nothing concerning salvation.



to be saved one confesses jesus and believes he rose from the dead.

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.



Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.



no baptism listed



Luk 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.



the theif on the cross was not baptized but jesus said he went to paradise.



There is one baptism required to be saved but it is not water baptism.

Jesus said

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.



this baptism is the baptism of the holy spirit

Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:



Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;