One of the hottest debates in Christianity is whether or not being Baptized is a requirement for salvation. Some will say that it is merely an act of obedience and not necessary while others will say it is necessary for our salvation. Some will claim that baptism is a "Work" and therefore is not part of salvation. Others will claim it is not a work of righteousness but part of our faith and how we respond to the Gospel. If being baptized does not matter then it is no big deal. But if Baptism is a requirement, then have we watered down the Gospel and the message of Salvation and put at risk people who have no pressing need to get baptized? Let's see what the scriptures actually teach.
BAPTISM
What did Jesus say?
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother�s womb and be born?"
5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of... WATER... AND the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. NKJV
Jesus made in clear that there are two elements involved in this process for becoming "born AGAIN". I emphasize "AGAIN" because it is something that is done a second time. Some try to use the argument that Jesus is referring to an individuals first birth, hence the water is of the womb. The problem with that argument is that Jesus is talking about a man who has already been born and now saying that he has to be born a second time and in that second birth, there are TWO elements, water and the Spirit. Water is then obviously implying water Baptism. Because Jesus said this is a second birth precludes any possibility of any elements of the first birth being included in the SECOND birth.
Additional support for water baptism being a necessary element for salvation and that Jesus meant water baptism when speaking to Nicodemus is found in Mark 16:16 when He gave His marching orders for the Great Commission commanding water Baptism to be done for every believer.
Mark 16: 16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe[disbelieves] will be condemned. NKJV
Jesus made a positive statement by giving us assurance of our salvation in that we are saved if we first.....believe, which means have faith and second, that we are BAPTIZED. Again we see TWO elements listed and one of them is water Baptism. By Jesus using the conjunctive word "AND" (kai in Greek) clearly links baptism and faith as two necessary elements.
Now there are a few who will try and use the second part of the verse to override the first part. "but he who does not believe will be condemned.
They will say that since Jesus did not say he who is not baptized will be condemned or some similar wording implies that baptism is not necessary. That argument is simply not logical and is a violation of Hermeneutics. Who would want to get baptized if they didn't believe to begin with? The words Jesus used ..."does not believe" means "Disbelieved...someone who heard the Gospel and then rejected it. Who would go and line up to be baptized after they rejected the Gospel? No one.
Now let's look at what I believe is one of the most important passages in the New Testament whereby we see a perfect example of the model for preaching the Gospel and giving the elements for salvation.
Peter while recently being filled with the Holy Spirit as well as the other Apostles, preached the very first sermon with the power of the Holy Spirit. This means that the Holy Spirit was speaking through him. He was preaching to a few thousand Jews who were the ones who previously were responsible for crucifying Jesus Christ. Look carefully on how Peter accused them of their sinful deed and then their response and then Peter's.
Acts 2: 36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
At this point Peter had nailed them hard and after they were convicted of their sin they asked Peter and the Apostles what they needed to do. It is obvious that at this point they had faith and believed that Jesus was the Christ whom they crucified but as we can see even with their true faith in Christ, they were still NOT saved as yet. Peter then responds.
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ UNTO (for) the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation."
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 � And they continued steadfastly in the apostles� doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. NKJV
Now notice that Peter told them what they needed to do in order to be purged from their guilt of their sin and to receive forgiveness of their sin and receive the Holy Spirit.
First they needed to "Repent". Then he said the needed to be baptized in Jesus name and that is FOR the remission of sins. To be baptized in Jesus name means to be baptized in His authority. It is the same when we Baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Next in the passage we see what happens AFTER being baptized and that is to receive the Holy Spirit.
The Greek text conclusively demonstrates that the word "FOR" in this passage only has one meaning. The word "FOR" is better translated "UNTO". Both carry the same meaning. The word "FOR" or "eis" is a Greek "transitive preposition" and is used 1774 times in the New Testament and in every instance it means FOR or UNTO and NEVER does it mean "because of". If the word meant "because of", it would imply that remission of sins is due to a PRIOR act and that baptism played no part. Unfortunately for those who try to make that argument, the Greek does not support that conclusion or definition. A transitive preposition means that it has a forward progress to an object to a desired result. Baptism is FOR/UNTO the remission of sins.
The text of Peter's sermon states plainly that baptism is �for the remission of sins.� The Greek word translated �for� is the preposition, �eis.� It is extremely common in the New Testament, appearing some 1774 times.
�Eis� is a transitive preposition, meaning that progress is inherent in the meaning. It is most often translated �into� or �unto� in the KJV. The general sense is progression to a point reached. The inherent forward progress is always present when used with a transitive verb � a verb that implies motion, progression, or transition. The transitive force of �eis�is sometimes even apparent when used with intransitive verbs (state of being verbs) � which normally do not themselves imply progress, yet the transitive nature of "eis" overpowers the intransitive power of the verb (cf. Rom. 1:16)
Furthermore even Paul's own testimony concerning his own conversion makes it clear that baptism is an essential element for his salvation.
Acts 22: 12 "Then a certain Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good testimony with all the Jews who dwelt there,
13 "came to me; and he stood and said to me, �Brother Saul, receive your sight.� And at that same hour I looked up at him.
14 "Then he said, �The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.
15 �For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard.
16 �And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.� NKJV
Now let me make something perfectly clear. When a person gets baptized in water, it is not the water that saves you. Water just gets you wet. God is the one who saves us! Baptism is the occasion where God supernaturally "circumcises your heart" and this is when the Holy Spirit comes into you.
Furthermore Baptism is not a work.
Titus 3:5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through..... the washing of regeneration..... and renewing of the Holy Spirit, NKJV
What is the "washing of Regenration? Water Baptism. Notice that it is God who saves us according to HIS mercy,..."THROUGH the washing of regeneration ...AND the renewing of the Holy Spirit". Notice these two main elements as before have been listed by Jesus in Mark 16:16 and John 3:3-5. "the washing of regeneration" is not the Holy Spirit as some try to claim. Paul separates Washing of Regeneration from the "renewing of the Holy spirt" but using the conjunctive word "and" or "kai" in Greek. This demonstrates that there are two separate events, but simulteanously. Let me make one point that is important concerning "washing of regeneration" or Baptismal Generation. Different Christian denominations have different meanings for this term. So you must be very careful and not broad stroke everyone the same way.
Col 2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ,
12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
How can we be buried with Christ in Baptism unless we are Baptized?
13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. NKJV
(Of course verse 14 is demonstrating that the Mosaic Laws were completely done away with, but that is for another discussion.)
So I hope that it can be seen that Baptism is not just a mere act of obedience without having any affect towards salvation but that it is an essential element as the scriptures clearly indicate.
Another Great Scriptural Post Walter, that people need to listen to.
Judging from my own experiences on this issue, it will be interesting to see how many will try to refute the scriptural evidence that you have presented here.
Because I have been heckled a lot over the years for trying to teach the same thing.
When I was a child, after confirmation, I was sprinkled in a Lutheran Church...
When I grew more in the WORD I realized that U cant really be Buried in Baptism to Emerge a New Creature by being sprinkled...so i was ReBaptized by Submersion in a Baptist Church...
Well then when I began to lean more torwards the Pentecostal Churches I was rebaptized there too, because i wasnt sure the Baptist Baptizer was resally a Spirit filled Christian who had the authority to Baptize me...
Then I met up with the Church of Christ People who taught that if I was falsely baptized as "Just a Sign of My Salvation",
then I wasnt really being baptized "To Be Saved" so I was Baptized again...
Then in 1983 I met & married a 7th Day Adventist..Well...U can guess by now that those Sunday preachers had no authority to baptize me, so I was baptized again by a Sabbath keeping Minister...
Well it turned out that the 7th Day adventists have some unscriptural beliefs too...
But you Know what...I think I am OK on the Baptism thing...
Although I did meet a couple of other Prophets a few years ago, & we always meant to baptize each other..Again..But we never got around to it...
Sometimes I wonder if I went overboard, by putting too much emphasis on the Baptizer rather than the Baptism..
But if i was baptized by the devil in disguise, but then I
found out who baptized me..I would want to do it again..Wouldnt You, or Anyone? Is that being legalistic???
But it can never hurt to be baptized more than once can it.
Is there such a thing as being too legalistic on such a clear
subject, that is connected to Our very Salvation. Why take chances or struggle with doubt...
But like i said I have had a lot of criticism from people that dont really believe its even necessary in the 1st place...
I admit, I am An Extreme Case, so I can partly understand why people would think of it as weird...but there is nothing weird about "Renewing vows" or renewing any other commitments...
How many people answer Altar calls after they are already saved just to r
Renew their Commitment.
So what would be wrong with renewing your
Baptism, especially if you see that it just wasnt done right
or FOR THE RIGHT REASON
the 1st time..or the 2nd..or 3rd.....
Wonder where one should draw the line..Was sprinkling good enough?
Walter--Great study that you shared. Thanks for posting it. Seems like it is a question that comes up all the time.
Dan--All I can say is THANK YOU for the laughs! :ROFL: I even had to read your post to an elderly friend of mine. I tell you, you hit the nail on the head. I have been there and heard it all. I loved to hear you telling about all the different denominations and 'their take' on being baptized. The way you put it was just so hilarious to me. And God knows I've needed a laugh today. So thank you for the great, yet hilarious responses you provided to Walter! :ROFL:
Thank you for bringing this up. I was hoping someone would.
Unfortunately the argument of the "Thief on the cross" is not applicable and does not in any manner refute the position I put forward. We do not know the situation of the thief if he ever was a follower of Christ and backslid or not. We know nothing of him except that he did confess Jesus as being Lord and Jesus made an exception to save him. The thief was obviously not able to get down from the cross and get baptized. Additionally this incident was not a POST Crucifixion event. Are there circumstances in which God saves a person apart from salvation under this New Covenant? I believe so....however an "exception" is simply that and we cannot make it the rule.
Suppose a soldier was in the dessert and was dying and his buddy shared the gospel with him and he believed. Is he saved? I believe God's grace would cover that. HOWEVER...and this is important....we cannot say for certain. The only thing we can rely upon concerning any assurance of salvation is what Jesus said in....
Mark 16:16.....he who believes...AND...is BAPTIZED....shall be saved.
By Jesus using the conjunctive word "BUT" necessitates that the following words..."is BAPTIZED" ...is a second condition for a person's salvation.
This is the oldest view in Christianity and the scriptures are in 100% agreement.
Here are some quotes from the earliest Church Fathers, some of whom were the direct Disciples of John and Paul the Apostles.
Ignatius (John's disciple) appeals to Rom. 6:5
"Wherefore also, ye appear to me to live not after the manner of men, but according to Jesus Christ, who died for us, in order that, by believing in His death, ye may by baptism be made partakers of His resurrection." (Ignatius, Epistle to the Trallians, II)
Baptism Unites us to Christ's Death (Rom. 6:5)
"For if there is one God of the universe, the Father of Christ, �of whom are all things;� and one Lord Jesus Christ, our [Lord], �by whom are all things;� and also one Holy Spirit, who wrought in Moses, and in the prophets and apostles; and also one baptism, which is administered that we should have fellowship with the death of the Lord; and also one elect Church; there ought likewise to be but one faith in respect to Christ. For �there is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one Godand Father of all, who is through all, and in all.�" (Ignatius, Epistle to the Philippians, I)
The OT Forshadows Baptism for the Remission of Sins (Acts 2:38)
"Let us further inquire whether the Lord took any care to foreshadow the water [of baptism] and the cross. Concerning the water, indeed, it is written, in reference to the Israelites, that they should not receive that baptism which leads to the remission of sins, but should procure another for themselves. The prophet therefore declares, �Be astonished, O heaven, and let the earth tremble at this, because this people hath committed two great evils: they have forsaken Me, a living fountain, and have hewn outfor themselves broken cisterns �." (Epistle of Barnabas, XI) (disciple of Paul)
"Regeneration" (New Birth) Takes Place at Baptism (cf. John 3:3-5 & Titus 3:5)
"As many as are persuaded and believe that what we teach and say is true, and undertake to be able to live accordingly, are instructed to pray and to entreat God with fasting, for the remission of their sins that are past, we praying and fasting with them. Then they are brought by us where there is water, and are regenerated in the same manner in which we were ourselves regenerated. For, in the name of God, the Father and Lord of the universe, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Spirit, they then receive the washing with water. For Christ also said, �Except ye be born again, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.� Now, that it is impossible for those who have once been born to enter into their mothers� wombs, is manifest to all. ... And for this [baptism] we have learned from the apostles this reason. Since at our birth we were born without our own knowledge or choice, by our parents coming together, and were brought up in bad habits and wicked training; in order that we may not remain the children of necessity and of ignorance, but may become the children of choice and knowledge, and may obtain in the water the remission of sins formerly committed, there is pronounced over him who chooses to be born again, and has repented of his sins, the name of God the Father ... And in the name of Jesus Christ, ... and in the name of the Holy Ghost..." (Justin, First Apology, LXI)
"And this food is called among us Eujcariatia [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined." (Justin First Apology, LXVI)
The Gnostics Pervert Baptism
"It happens that their tradition respecting redemption is invisible and incomprehensible, as being the mother of things which are incomprehensible and invisible; and on this account, since it is fluctuating, it is impossible simply and all at once to make known its nature, for every one of them hands it down just as his own inclination prompts. Thus there are as many schemes of �redemption� as there are teachers of these mystical opinions. And when we come to refute them, we shall show in its fitting-place, ...
...that this class of men have been instigated by Satan to a denial of that baptism which is regeneration to God, and thus to a renunciation of the whole [Christian] faith.
" (Irenaeus, Against Heresies, Bk. I, ch xxi) (Disciple of Polycarp who was disciple of John)
The Healing of Naaman Prefigured Christian Baptism
�And dipped himself,� says [the Scripture], �seven times in Jordan.� It was not for nothing that Naaman of old, when suffering from leprosy, was purified upon his being baptized, but [it served] as an indication to us. For as we are lepers in sin, we are made clean, by means of the sacred water and the invocation of the Lord, from our old transgressions; being spiritually regenerated as new-born babes, even as the Lord has declared: �Except a man be born again through water and the Spirit, he shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.� (Irenaeus, Frag. XXXIV)
No writer of the Early Church ever suggested that baptism takes place after the new birth. Baptism was universally considered to be the point in time where regeneration occurs.
i hope this commentary i found, clears things up... as it did for me.
Yes, we must be baptized to be saved, BUT not in water!
Baptize means to immerse. If you use an exhaustive concordance to research this like I did some years ago, you will find out that the Bible talks about several types of baptism/immersion. Baptism into Moses (1 Cor 10:2), baptism into death (Mark 10:38; Romans 6:4), baptism into water, baptism into the Holy Spirit, baptism into fire (Luke 3:16), and baptism into the name of Jesus (Acts 8:16). It is critical, in fact, life and death, to understand that baptism does not necesarily mean into water, but only means immersion until it is qulaified by the rest of the sentence or paragraph! As with all scripture interpretation, context is critical. So which one of these immersions will save us?
Matthew 28:19 ("...baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...") is not a magical incantation that must be recited in order to get someone saved. The great commandment tells us to baptize people into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Sprit, but it does not say to say these words while immersing someone in water. In other words, our tradition does not interpret this verse. Look at what it does not say; water is not mentioned is it?
Let me explain: immersion into water is a baptism of repentance (Luke 3:3; Acts 11:16; Acts 19:4). Immersion (baptism) into the name of someone is different and not necessarily concurrent with immersion into water. Have you not known people who were dunked into the water and they did not have a change of lifestyle? Did not Jesus say that his disciples would be known by their love? (John 13:35) If you are immersed into someone like the President or you are totally involved with a member of the opposite sex or you live and breathe Dale Earnheardt Jr, then you are a follower; you are commited to that person. (1 Cor 1:13) To be baptized into someone is to be sold out to them! (Gal 3:27)
Personally, I was baptized into water, but said no to Jesus when He called me. Personally, I have seen those who are following Jesus whole heartedly and they have not been baptized into water. This is seen in the Bible also in Acts 10:44-48. Here, they are immersed in the Holy Spirit, then into water and into Jesus by verbal commitment.
It is dangerous to teach or to believe that you will go to heaven, that you know God or that you have power over sin just because someone put you under water and said the right words while doing it. As with all important things, your heart must be in the right place. If you are not sold out to Jesus, then you are not baptized into His name! If you have not made this commitment, then today is the day of salvation, take the plunge! Please receive the dunking into water as a public confession of repentance and also immerse yourself into the living Jesus!
Todd Shilt
Being baptized in water is often spoken of as the believer's identification with the death and resurrection of Christ, notably Rom 6:3,4.
FFBruce noted this text as reflective of the early church's teaching and practice of water baptism. But being 'baptized into Christ' means more than simply going under water. It refers to one's being united with Christ in newness of life.
In fact, the Matthean expression (28:19)'baptizing them into...' pictures the act of baptism as an initiation into a life of discipleship with Jesus Christ as Lord. This is the meaning of the preposition 'into' in Hebrew/rabbinic usage in the context of pre-New Testament baptisms./washings.
Thus, putting it in the Matthean context Water Baptism introduces the baptizand into and consecrates him for a new life of discipleship. Understandably, the thief on the cross did not have that opportunity! But how about the rest of us?
This commentary is not even close to being in line with the scriptures. He gave no sound exegesis and did not properly address the pertinent scriptures. Quoting scriptures is not backing what you say and it proves nothing unless one can demonstrate that the scriptures do in fact say what you say they say.
I would like to see you make your own commentaries based upon sound exegesis. We can post articles all day long from many people,...so what...it proves nothing. Are you not able to articulate what you believe and if so back it up with properly exegeted scriptures?
I was distracted when reading his post the first time and wrote too quickly. Sorry!
Some of what he said is true but he is missing the main thrust of the meaning and necessity of Baptism. On one had he seems to imply that baptism is not necessary and on another he seems to imply otherwise. His overall view seems more to lean that water baptism is not necessary. If that is the case then I totally disagree with him as do the scriptures.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ UNTO (for) the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation."
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.
42 � And they continued steadfastly in the apostles� doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. NKJV
Now notice that Peter told them what they needed to do in order to be purged from their guilt of their sin and to receive forgiveness of their sin and receive the Holy Spirit.
First they needed to "Repent". Then he said they needed to be baptized in Jesus name and that is... FOR.. the remission of sins. To be baptized in Jesus name means to be baptized in His authority. It is the same when we Baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Next in the passage we see what happens AFTER being baptized and that is to receive the Holy Spirit.
The Greek text conclusively demonstrates that the word "FOR" in this passage only has one meaning. The word "FOR" is better translated "UNTO". Both carry the same meaning. The word "FOR" or "eis" is a Greek "transitive preposition" and is used 1774 times in the New Testament and in every instance it means FOR or UNTO and NEVER does it mean "because of". If the word meant "because of", it would imply that remission of sins is due to a PRIOR act and that baptism played no part. Unfortunately for those who try to make that argument, the Greek does not support that conclusion or definition. A transitive preposition means that it has a forward progress to an object to a desired result. Baptism is FOR/UNTO the remission of sins.
The text of Peter's sermon states plainly that baptism is �for the remission of sins.� The Greek word translated �for� is the preposition, �eis.� It is extremely common in the New Testament, appearing some 1774 times.
�Eis� is a transitive preposition, meaning that progress is inherent in the meaning. It is most often translated �into� or �unto� in the KJV. The general sense is progression to a point reached. The inherent forward progress is always present when used with a transitive verb � a verb that implies motion, progression, or transition. The transitive force of �eis�is sometimes even apparent when used with intransitive verbs (state of being verbs) � which normally do not themselves imply progress, yet the transitive nature of "eis" overpowers the intransitive power of the verb (cf. Rom. 1:16)
