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Baptism does not Save
Baptism is not a requirement of salvation. For someone to teach that faith + water baptism is a requirement for salvation, is to teach another gospel than was taught by Paul. 1Co_15:1-4 Paul did not make water baptism a part of his gospel message and went so far as to say that Christ did not send him to baptize but only to spread the gospel message. 1Co_1:17 This would seem to be a major oversight if water baptism were indeed necessary as no one would have been saved.
If baptism were necessary for salvation then how do you deal with the paralytic man Mat_9:2, the penitent woman Luk_7:37-50, the tax collector Luk_18:13-14, and the thief on the cross Luk_23:39-43. Was Jesus just misleading them? Were they still lost in their sins since none were baptized?
We know that some will say “what about Acts 2:38 and Mar 16:16 they both say we have to be baptized. Well let us look at each in turn. Act_2:38 says "repent and be baptized"... For us to understand this text we must look at the context, what prompted the cry "Brethren, what shall we do?" Act 2:37. Peter's sermon at Pentecost Act 2:22-36 provides the answer. The Jewish people had cried out, “His blood be on us and on our children” Mat_27:25. The Jews had crucified Jesus and the guilt of Messiah's death was on the people of Israel.
After hearing the gospel message spoken by Peter some of the Jews realized what they had done. Through repentance they acknowledged their sin before God and placed their faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of their sins. But what about "repent and be baptized" you say. Does this not prove that baptism is necessary for salvation? Well no it does not. Scripture has numerous texts that say forgiveness of sins is by faith alone Joh_1:12; Joh_3:16; Joh_3:36; Joh_6:47; Rom_10:9; Eph_1:13; Eph_2:8-9 to list just a few. Peter also gave us some of the clearest verses in this regard later in Acts Act_5:31; Act_10:43; Act_13:38-39; Act_16:31; Act_26:18. The weight of scripture points to faith being the only requirement for salvation. If you still insist that baptism is a requirement then how do you account for the experience of the gentiles in Act 10:44-48.
Now what do we do with Mar 16:16. It is not the water of baptism that saves, but God’s grace given through faith in Christ. Jesus’ answer to the criminal on the cross shows us it is possible to be saved without being baptized Luk_23:43. Baptism was and is not a condition for salvation, but it is an important step of obedience for a believing disciple Act_8:36-38; Act_10:47-48. Baptism was not a step that a believer took lightly. Then as now it may cost you family, friends, and even your job.
The following quote presents a good picture of Baptism:
Baptism is like a wedding ring. We put on a wedding ring as a symbol of our commitment and devotion. In the same way baptism is a picture of devotion and commitment to Christ. A wedding ring reminds us and tells others that we belong to someone special. In the same way, baptism reminds us and others that we are devoted to Christ and belong to Him. by John Shore
Got a PM from APsit190 re baptism. As he rightly pointed out baptism is to discipleship. With his permission I added his words here.
APsit190
I agree with you, and with that said, I'll share with you is what actually does make baptism important.
With regard to Salvation, baptism happens as a result of it. In the good ol' days of the NT Church, Christians got save and baptized in one hit. But that didn't and doesn't make it as baptism important to salvation. What does make baptism important too, is actually to discipleship. In other words, to be a disciple of Jesus, one does need to be baptized, simply because baptism is the mark of a disciple. If you remember in the "great commission," the command was "to make disciples," and then from there to "baptize them...." That is, to baptize the disciples.
I think that where the arguments comes in with regard to what you have put up in your Blog, is that Baptism, by default, Salvation being the default setting where Baptism has been placed, when in reality the default should have been set with being a Disciple. And I think there is a distinction between being saved, and being a disciple despite there being a correlation between the two.
I you wish, you can copy and paste this message to your blog page.
Again, thanks for you message. Appreciate what you said.
Blessings,
Stephen (Php 1:21)
Baptism is not a requirement of salvation. For someone to teach that faith + water baptism is a requirement for salvation, is to teach another gospel than was taught by Paul. 1Co_15:1-4 Paul did not make water baptism a part of his gospel message and went so far as to say that Christ did not send him to baptize but only to spread the gospel message. 1Co_1:17 This would seem to be a major oversight if water baptism were indeed necessary as no one would have been saved.
If baptism were necessary for salvation then how do you deal with the paralytic man Mat_9:2, the penitent woman Luk_7:37-50, the tax collector Luk_18:13-14, and the thief on the cross Luk_23:39-43. Was Jesus just misleading them? Were they still lost in their sins since none were baptized?
We know that some will say “what about Acts 2:38 and Mar 16:16 they both say we have to be baptized. Well let us look at each in turn. Act_2:38 says "repent and be baptized"... For us to understand this text we must look at the context, what prompted the cry "Brethren, what shall we do?" Act 2:37. Peter's sermon at Pentecost Act 2:22-36 provides the answer. The Jewish people had cried out, “His blood be on us and on our children” Mat_27:25. The Jews had crucified Jesus and the guilt of Messiah's death was on the people of Israel.
After hearing the gospel message spoken by Peter some of the Jews realized what they had done. Through repentance they acknowledged their sin before God and placed their faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness of their sins. But what about "repent and be baptized" you say. Does this not prove that baptism is necessary for salvation? Well no it does not. Scripture has numerous texts that say forgiveness of sins is by faith alone Joh_1:12; Joh_3:16; Joh_3:36; Joh_6:47; Rom_10:9; Eph_1:13; Eph_2:8-9 to list just a few. Peter also gave us some of the clearest verses in this regard later in Acts Act_5:31; Act_10:43; Act_13:38-39; Act_16:31; Act_26:18. The weight of scripture points to faith being the only requirement for salvation. If you still insist that baptism is a requirement then how do you account for the experience of the gentiles in Act 10:44-48.
Now what do we do with Mar 16:16. It is not the water of baptism that saves, but God’s grace given through faith in Christ. Jesus’ answer to the criminal on the cross shows us it is possible to be saved without being baptized Luk_23:43. Baptism was and is not a condition for salvation, but it is an important step of obedience for a believing disciple Act_8:36-38; Act_10:47-48. Baptism was not a step that a believer took lightly. Then as now it may cost you family, friends, and even your job.
The following quote presents a good picture of Baptism:
Baptism is like a wedding ring. We put on a wedding ring as a symbol of our commitment and devotion. In the same way baptism is a picture of devotion and commitment to Christ. A wedding ring reminds us and tells others that we belong to someone special. In the same way, baptism reminds us and others that we are devoted to Christ and belong to Him. by John Shore
Got a PM from APsit190 re baptism. As he rightly pointed out baptism is to discipleship. With his permission I added his words here.
APsit190
I agree with you, and with that said, I'll share with you is what actually does make baptism important.
With regard to Salvation, baptism happens as a result of it. In the good ol' days of the NT Church, Christians got save and baptized in one hit. But that didn't and doesn't make it as baptism important to salvation. What does make baptism important too, is actually to discipleship. In other words, to be a disciple of Jesus, one does need to be baptized, simply because baptism is the mark of a disciple. If you remember in the "great commission," the command was "to make disciples," and then from there to "baptize them...." That is, to baptize the disciples.
I think that where the arguments comes in with regard to what you have put up in your Blog, is that Baptism, by default, Salvation being the default setting where Baptism has been placed, when in reality the default should have been set with being a Disciple. And I think there is a distinction between being saved, and being a disciple despite there being a correlation between the two.
I you wish, you can copy and paste this message to your blog page.
Again, thanks for you message. Appreciate what you said.
Blessings,
Stephen (Php 1:21)
When it actually comes to this kind of argument, in reality its a nothing burger because when we make salvation to be either side of the argument, we distract ourselves from what the purpose of baptism actually is. In other words, we actually miss the point by not looking at or focusing on what the point/the purpose is.
That said, I do like the wedding ring bit. That really has a real ring to it. (Pun intended.)
Blessings,