Question 8

It is common knowledge that members of the church believe that water baptism is necessary for salvation. This
goes against the thinking of mainline Protestant denominationalism. Consequently, Christians have received a
great deal of criticism for this belief. To some, this belief qualifies us as a cult. For others, it places us in the
same category as the Roman Catholic Church.

No bible reader would argue that water baptism is not a New Testament subject, or not a part of Christianity.
The disagreement arises when its design and its place in Christianity is considered. Some understand baptism to
be "an outward sign of an inner grace." That is, baptism is not received in order to obtain remission of sins, but
in order to demonstrate in a visible manner that the subject has had their sins forgiven. Some, on the other
hand, believe that baptism is a condition of salvation. As with all other religious matters, we consult the bible in
order to understand the proper role of baptism in Christianity. Surely everyone can agree that all that we are
capable of understanding about baptism must be based on what the bible has to say about the subject. So, what
does the bible have to say about it?

1. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned (Mark 16:16)." When
Jesus ascended to the Father, he left his followers with the charge to preach the gospel to all people in order
that they might be saved (16:15). The response to the gospel that will save hearers is: belief and baptism.
Virtually none would argue that this verse does not list belief as a condition of salvation; but, baptism is equally a
condition, according to the words of Christ in this passage.

2. "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38)." In response to the question, "what shall we do," Peter responded
with these words. If you had asked the apostles the same question on that day and they had responded as
noted, what would you have concluded about the connection between repentance and remission of sins? Baptism
and remission of sins? Again, it is conceded by all that repentance is "for remission of sins," but baptism is
connected to remission of sins in the very same breath.

3. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death (Rom.
6:3)?" According to this verse, baptism places us into Christ and into his death. We believe that salvation is in
Christ (2 Tim. 1:10) and that justification is through his death (Rom. 5:9-10). If we are baptized into Christ and
into his death, then salvation and justification does not come before baptism. (See also Galatians 3:27; 1
Corinthians 12:13; and Colossians 2:11-13.)

4. "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,
but the answer of a good conscience toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. 3:21)." Just as
Noah was saved by water, passing through it to arrive sanctified on the other side, so we are saved by baptism.
This is the clear interpretation of this text; any other meaning assigned to verse 21 is forced.

5. "And now, why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord
(Acts 22:16)." Calling on the name of the Lord amounts to baptism in this passage, and the act results in having
sins washed away. Again, this is the natural interpretation of the text; any other explanation fails.

In all, there are eight passages which speak of both New Testament baptism and salvation ("remission of sins,"
"in Christ," "sins washed away," "in his body," etc.). In every one of those passages, baptism precedes salvation.
Baptism is always unto or for salvation, never because of or to signify past salvation. Though baptism has come
to be "an outward sign of an inner grace," nothing that even resembles that expression is found in scripture. In
addition to the verses quoted above, read Galatians 3:27; 1 Corinthians 12:13; and Colossians 2:11-13.

Much more could be said on this subject, but these passages are sufficient to represent what the bible says
about the design of baptism. The passages which speak on the subject are quite clear; what causes many
religious people to reject this conclusion is the false supposition that baptism for remission of sins in some way
negates the grace of God and the necessity of faith. We will address that issue in a future article.