by David McPherson
Synopsis: Many in the religious world practice some form of baptism but deny that it is essential to salvation. Is this approach scriptural?
We must have authority from the Lord for our words and actions. Paul instructed the Colossians, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Col. 3:17). Members of the Lord’s church strive to say and do that which is authorized. Sadly, such is not always the case with our denominational friends. At times they will say one thing but do another. For example, many of our religious friends will contradict the Scriptures by teaching baptism, but not for salvation.
It is interesting to me the vast number of pages commentators will write to pervert the plain and simple teaching of our Lord on the subject of baptism. Jesus made it clear, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Our Lord affirms that baptism is essential to being saved. Now some will argue, “If baptism is really necessary why didn’t Jesus say, “He who does not believe and is not baptized will be condemned?” The answer? He didn’t have to. Allow me to illustrate. I might say, “He who eats and digests will live, but he who does not eat will die.” Is it necessary to add “and does not digest” to the latter part of that statement? Absolutely not! It is a given that, if one will not eat, he will not digest. Likewise if one will not believe the gospel message, he will not obey its command to be baptized!
A person must decide in which part of Mark 16:16 he is interested: being saved or being lost! The first part of the verse tells how to be saved. The second part of the verse tells how to be lost. If salvation is desired, why not accept the words of the Savior? We must believe and be baptized in order to be saved.
Most denominations practice baptism in some shape or form, but not for the remission of sins. What does the Bible teach? The apostles preached the gospel to thousands of Jews on the day of Pentecost. Once they were “cut to the heart,” they asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter, guided by the Holy Spirit (v. 4), commanded them to “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...” (Acts 2:38). Some tell us that the word “for” in verse thirty-eight means, “because of.” For example, John Doe was sentenced to prison for murder (i.e., because of a murder he had already committed). Thus, it is argued, one is baptized for (i.e., because) his sins are already remitted. That may sound good on the surface, but we must go beneath the surface!
The New Testament was originally written in the Greek language. In the Greek, there are different words translated “for.” One is gar, which means “because of.” However, there is another Greek word, eis, which means “unto,” or “in order to.” This is the word Peter used in Acts 2:38. It is the same word that Jesus used when He instituted the Lord’s supper:
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (Matt. 26:26-28).
Why would Jesus’ blood be shed? He died “for” (eis) the remission of sins. His blood was shed “unto,” or “in order to” provide the remission of sins. Jesus’ blood was not shed because remission of sins had already taken place. Similarly, one is baptized in order to receive the remission of sins, not because remission has already occurred.
Perhaps there is even a simpler approach. What does the Bible say in the book of First Peter? Please notice, “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21). The King James Version translates it like this: “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us...” Dear reader, does baptism save us, or not? Men teach that baptism doth also not save us. The Bible teaches that baptism doth also now save us. Whose word are you going to take?
Consider this challenge: Where can I go in the Scriptures and accurately show that baptism is not essential for salvation? I can’t find the passage, and neither can you, your preacher, or anyone else. However, we can each go to multiple places in God’s good book and show where baptism is essential for salvation.
In addition to the passages we have already noted, consider Acts 22:16, which says, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” These words were spoken to Saul of Tarsus after he had seen the Lord on the road to Damascus. The Lord had told Saul, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do” (Acts 9:6). After arriving in the city of Damascus, a disciple named Ananias came to Saul, directing him regarding the Lord’s will. For Saul to have his sins washed away, to properly call on the Lord’s name, he needed to arise and be baptized.
The consistency and plurality of Bible verses teaching the necessity of baptism are not surprising when we appreciate texts like 2 Timothy 2:10 coupled with Galatians 3:27. In 2 Timothy 2:10, Paul said of himself, “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” Dear friend, where is salvation? In Christ Jesus. If I knew nothing more than that, and I was concerned for my soul, the natural question would be, “How do I get into Christ?” The answer is found in Galatians 3:27, which states, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” How did they get into Christ? They were baptized into Him.
Being in Christ has tremendous benefits. Consider the following:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:3).In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Eph. 1:7).
And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son (1 John 5:11).
All spiritual blessings are found in Christ (Eph. 1:3). Only in Christ do we have redemption (Eph. 1:7). It is only in Christ that we stand to enjoy eternal life (1 John 5:11). Apart from baptism one remains outside of Christ, with no hope, eternally lost.
How sad that many in the religious world teach baptism, but not for salvation. An honest investigation of the word of God exposes the tragic inconsistency. May we avoid such an erroneous contradiction.
Author Bio: David has worked with the Jamestown (IN) church of Christ for three years. He and his wife, Sonja, have four children. The church website is jamestowncoc.com. He can be reached at mcphersondavid@bellsouth.net.
