Beth-El Baptist Church
4/3/05
Is Baptism required for Salvation?
There are several different traditions and beliefs about Baptism. We will raise questions associated with baptism and the various beliefs and search the scriptures to see what they have to say on the subject.
1. How many different types of baptism are there?
John the Baptist baptized with water. His was a baptism of repentance. Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit.
John viewed the baptism that Jesus gave as superior to the one he gave. John needed to be baptized by Jesus. John was unworthy to even untie Jesus’ sandals.
There is the baptism that Jesus and his obedient disciples would have to endure. This is a baptism of suffering and martyrdom. Jesus on the cross for the sins of mankind. The disciples in various methods of martyrdom for the sake of Jesus.
2. What is the proper method of water baptism by immersion or by sprinkling?
Acts 8:38
The Greek word ‘baptizo’ which is transliterated ‘baptize’ means ‘to dip, to immerse, to submerge, to wash, to make clean with water’. By its normal usage meaning to wash especially with its association of being immersed Evangelicals believe that baptism is to be done by immersion.
Also based on the scriptures associated with the method of baptism is the allusion to immersion with such phrases as ‘much water’, ‘out of the water’ seems to indicate that immersion was the method used by the John and the disciples.
3. Can someone be saved and not baptized in water?
Luke 3:12
There are some questions to ask yourself regarding the association of baptism and salvation. It is well understood that it is Jesus that saves, why didn’t he baptize? And why didn’t Paul baptize?
Hebrews 13:8
Revelation 2:7
Clearly the thief on the cross was not baptized yet was told that he would be with Jesus in paradise. Some claim that paradise was not heaven, but scripture says in two places that paradise is being in the presence of God.
4. Can someone be baptized in water and possibly not saved?
Simon was baptized in John’s baptism that was a baptism of repentance in water. But when He saw the distribution of the Holy Spirit he tried to offer money for the ability. Whether or not he was truly saved is up to God, but it appears that his baptism of water did not result in his salvation.
The baptism that saves is the baptism by the Holy Spirit. It is this baptism that brings a person into the body of Jesus Christ.
5. If water baptism is not required for salvation, then what is its purpose?
Acts 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:14-15; 18:8
Romans 6:3-4
Galatians 3:27
Colossians 2:12
Water baptism is an external demonstration of an inward conversion. It is not the water baptism that saves you but it is used to demonstrate an association with Jesus.
6. If water baptism is not required for salvation, then why do people think that?
Acts 2:38; 19:3-5
Ephesians 4:4-6
There are several scriptures that tie together believing and baptizing. The obvious question would be what type of baptism is being referred to. Remember there are basically two types of baptisms. There is the baptism by water for repentance and there is the baptism by the Holy Spirit for salvation. In Mark 16:16 the implication is that he that does not believe has not been baptized (by the Holy Spirit).
There is also 1Peter 3:21-22 that are favorites for it says the ‘baptism doth also now save us’. But look at the parenthetical expression (KJV) which separates out a baptism by water but preserves the baptism of Jesus called ‘answer of a good conscience toward God’.
7. Is baptism does not provide for salvation then why baptize?
We are commanded to baptize in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
8. Who can be baptized?
Acts 8:12; 36-38
Only believers can be baptized. In other words those who have received and believed the word of God can and should be baptized out of obedience. There is nothing in scripture that places a minimum or maximum age on baptism. An infant who cannot vocalize or otherwise indicate his association with Jesus Christ cannot be truly identified as a believer and thus should not be baptized.
9. What if someone refuses to be baptized?
John 14:15
Someone who refuses to be baptized is disobeying the commandments of Jesus Christ from Matthew 28:19-20. Although we might question the reality of their salvation we need to remember that it is Jesus who knows the heart of men and only Jesus can make the determination of salvation or not.
While it is true that anyone who believes should be baptized, it is not their baptism that saves them. It is Jesus that saves them and their baptism is only an outward expression of an inward conversion. In order to be saved though, they must encounter Jesus and recognize his supremacy over them and be baptized by His spirit and not by our water.