Christ First Forum

Is water baptism essential for salvation?

This issue has been discussed on other Christian forums without much resistance, but I would like to make it perfectly clear that is is a false teaching and is not scripturally sound.

What are your thoughts and please don't be afraid to offer input. I do not want anyone visiting this board or posting on this board to have any doubts what the bible says concerning the Doctrine of baptism.

Baptism has nothing to do with salvation. Baptism [comes after and] is an outward profession, in which, we share our acceptance of salvation publicly with others, representing Christ Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.

Salvation requires admittance of our sins, belief that through His death, burial, and resurrection that our sins are cleaned, and confession that in admitting and believing that we are not worthy, and when we ask, we will be saved.

One can go forever and never be baptized (water).

I use to think that water baptism was required but even with the little time I have spent digging deeper into Gods word, I can safely say that I do not think that it is essential to salvation. Being washed in the BLOOD is what gets you there.

JWayne wrote:Baptism has nothing to do with salvation. Baptism [comes after and] is an outward profession, in which, we share our acceptance of salvation publicly with others, representing Christ Jesus' death, burial and resurrection.

Salvation requires admittance of our sins, belief that through His death, burial, and resurrection that our sins are cleaned, and confession that in admitting and believing that we are not worthy, and when we ask, we will be saved.

One can go forever and never be baptized (water).

Thanks for your post brother and right on! I will share more after some others have a chance to chime in on this subject.

I would like to see more on this subject, as I have been thinking about it a lot. Babies are baptized, as was I. But isn't baptism a profession of faith? A baby is not capable of that. From what I have read so far in the bible, babies were not baptized, only those who have chosen to follow Christ's teachings. Is that correct?

Jan

JanMac wrote:I would like to see more on this subject, as I have been thinking about it a lot. Babies are baptized, as was I. But isn't baptism a profession of faith? A baby is not capable of that. From what I have read so far in the bible, babies were not baptized, only those who have chosen to follow Christ's teachings. Is that correct?

Jan

Jan, You are correct. Water baptism is simply an act of obedience after salvation to follow Jesus and a public profession of faith.

Jan, You are most assuredly correct that baptism is a profession of faith.

As for babies, God is a just God and until a child is capable of making that ever so serious choice of re-birth, then they are always in His arms. Salvation is a choice that we must make.

So many will argue that baptism of babies has some affect on them, but other than simply getting wet, that is all that takes place.

I believe water Baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision..
It is identifying with the death, burial and ressurection of Christ.
Though I do not believe water baptism is what saves, but what Christ did on the Cross..
One is not saved untill he believes and recieves the gospel of the saving grace , which by faith you both believe and reciece it..and
which is in no other but Christ Yeshua,, I know the thief on the Cross was not baptiz, and I also believe had he been given the freedom to he would have..
Baptism is not Savation, but one who is saved will be baptize if given the chanch, if nothing is holding him back, like the eunch did Acts 8: 36 ask to be baptized
Yeshua told the Disciples to baptize those they led to Salvation, I do not believe it was a suggestion myself..
Those that make a profession of faith and die before coming to a large body of water ( Large enough to be submerged in ) they will go to Heaven, because they did not have the chanch to be baptized.. but
I have doubts about those who make a profession of faith, and have had many opportunities to be baptized, but choose not to, them I am concerned about, cuz it seems they want Yeshua as the Saviour, but NOT their Lord..
I think that anyone that has truely excepted the Salvation of the Lord, WILL be baptized at the first opportunity..

I look at it this way..lets say there is a train station in your City, you go and except the free ticket given you, and on the ticket , the
destination reads NY Grand Central Station on the it, but you refuse to get on board the train , there is a seat with your name on it, but it remains empty, you want to play around ,you deside when you will get on board, you want to taste all you can before geting on board,,,
but you know what, on the ticket, there is no time indicated when the train will pull out, just that it will, I ask, those with ticket in hand, that never handed it to the conducter to show they were given a free ticket, ..
well, I have a hard time believing they will get off when the train pulls into Grand Central Station

Its the same thing I am concerned about those who make a profession of faith and REFUSE over and over to be baptized, and they will tell you , " YOU DON"T NEED TO GET BAPTIZE TO BE SAVED, ITS WHAT CHRIST DID ON THE CROSS"
THey are correct, however, my point is this, you don't get baptised to get saved, you do it because you are saved, and Yeshua siad to, and it was not a suggetion,
anything He says is a Commandment, He is God..

Think a bit, the man that was told to go wash in the waters, was it the water that did the healing of his eye sight, or was it by the Word of Yeshua, not even spittle and dirt was needed, He only needed to speak it and it was so...
He created the Universe, it was by faith , and if we have faith, we will obey, if we truely love Him, we will obey and be baptized.
but not so of many, they just want Him as a Saviour, and only a Saviour just in case there is a hell, but as far as geting baptized and making Him LOrd, no, many only want Him as Saviur, but continue to be lord of their own life, no baptism, no change in life style, because their heart was not changed, their mind was not renewed, so no change in attitude, no change in actions..
and thats my two cents worth..
and BTW, Yeshua can not be anyones Saviour, unless He is Lord of their life, He is God..
Oh, I'm not saying there will be perfect submission 24/7 every day of the year, but He will be Lord of their life 24/7 every day of the year...
Who here thinks they can be lord of their life and still have a relationship with God.. Before Salvation, how good did you do being lord of your life??
One last question, those that make a profession of marriage vows, and still live like did are still single, how is there relationship with the one they promised themselves too??

Scripture declares salvation is by the grace of God not of works (Ephesians 2:8,9). We are not saved by works but to work (Ephesians 2:10). We are not baptized in order to be saved but because we have been saved.

There are more than 150 verses in the New Testament that assert salvation is based on God’s grace and it efficacious when man responds with a faith commitment. Some texts are:
Matthew 26:28; John 1:12; 3:15-18, 36; 5:24; 6:35, 47; Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9; II Timothy 1:12; Hebrew 9:14; Revelation 1:5.

These and other texts eliminate all human efforts to earn, merit, or deserve God’s favor.

If in studying Scripture there is a verse the meaning of which is cloudy turn to a text on the same subject which is clear and interpret the unclear one in light of the clear one. That is, when a passage standing alone seems to have one or two meanings always accept the one in harmony with other texts.

Persons insisting on baptism being essential to salvation group unclear texts and select their personal preference without regard for the clear ones on the subject. They often take an additional step and disregard the clear passages or at best misinterpret them.

There are some passages that standing alone appear to support the position that baptism is essential to salvation. These when properly understood in relation to salvation by grace through faith and not of works become clear. Some such are:

MARK 16: 16
“He that believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

The last phrase of verse 16 makes it clear not being baptized is not what causes a person not to be saved, but not trusting in Christ is.

ACTS 2: 38
“Repent, and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins….”

The Greek word translated “for,” eis, can be translated “because” and often has the meaning of “because of.”

One may say, “I am going to the mall for a pair of shoes,” meaning to get a pair of shoes. Used in this way “for” means to obtain a pair of shoes.

One may say, “I am going to jail for shoplifting a pair of shoes.” Used in this manner “for” means “because of” stealing a pair of shoes.

This verse does not teach a person is baptized in order to obtain salvation but because of being saved.ACTS 22: 16
“Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

A bit of understanding of the meaning of the Greek from which this is translated helps.

“Arise” and “wash” are two Greek imperatives.

“Baptized” and “calling” are two Greek aorist participles.

The participles “baptized” and “calling” are thus to be understood at the same time as the action of the main verb. The washing away of sins is thus seen as a result of having called on the Lord. This harmonized this passage with the many teaching salvation is by grace alone.

JOHN 3: 1,5
Water as mentioned here refers to water involved in physical birth not baptism.

Physical birth is referred to as being born of “water” and spiritual birth, the second birth, is the reference of being “born of the Spirit.”

I CORINTHIANS 12:13
“For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body—….”

As an act the word “baptized,” baptizo, meant to immerse. It was used to speak of being identified with a person or thing. Persons were spoken of as being “baptized unto Moses” (I Cor. 10:2). Such did not mean they were immersed in Moses but rather identified with him. Hence, by the Spirit we are identified with the body of Christ.

The “body” referenced here is not the local church but the spiritual body of Christ” (Ephesians 1:22,23).

This passage does not refer to water baptism but to the baptism of the Spirit into Christ.

I PETER 3:21
“There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely 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.”

Bottom line: salvation is possible because Christ is risen from the dead not our putting away the filth of the flesh.

Verse 20 helps understand this verse. The eight saved in the days of Noah were saved “though water” not by the water. “…were brought safely through the water” is the translation give by “The New Testament in Modern Speech.”

Baptism is the answer “of a good conscience toward God.” The Greek word translated “answer,” eperotema, is a technical business term. In a business contract there is a time of question and answer: “Do you understand and accept the terms of this contract and agree to abide by them?” With the answer of “yes” the contract becomes binding.

This verse means God wants to know if you accept His terms of salvation and service in my Kingdom and will you abide by them? If so, signify it by being baptized. Baptism is intended to be a “Yes” answer to the question. Baptism is an act which is intended to say, “I accept the terms of God, that is, that I have been saved by faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is my good conscience pledge that I have accepted Christ and His terms.”
The idea of the effectiveness of baptism is contingent upon the resurrection of our Lord and the grace it provides. It is His grace not baptism that saves a person. Baptism is our pledge of commitment to the resurrected Lord.

ROMANS 6:1-8
This reference is not to water baptism but Spirit baptism. Persons thinking it to refer to water baptism find no encouragement in the text to support such a concept.

Water baptism is simply being 'identified' with Christ.

It's a 'picture' of His death, burial and ressurection of Christ.

Once we ask the Lord to 'save' us, we are immediately saved.

In Luke 23:42~

Then he(thief) said to Jesus, 'Lord', remember me when You come into Your kingdom."

And Jesus said to him, assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

The thief was saved by 'faith' only.

Water baptism is only a step to mature toward Christ.

I totally agree, I pray I did not confuse anyone cuz I know Baptism does not save, anymore than did the spittle and dirt , and water of the pool give sight to the blind man.. it was Yeshua alone that gave sight, nothing material was needed, for even this material world was formed by Yeshua..

I didn't get Baptized to get saved, I did because I was saved, and Yeshua said to,,, and I thought I made myself clear on its purpose..

Its an out expression of an inward decision, its identifying with the death, burial and surrection of Christ..

The thief on the cross was not baptize, when he ask Christ to remember him, Yeshua didn't say , he needed to get down off the cross and be baptized first, but like the Eunuch, had the situation been different, he would have wanted to be baptized, it shows ones love of the Lord.

I still believe if one was sincere when they excepted the Salvation of the Lord, they would not refuse and or find excuses for not geting baptized, if its not possible for them to for reasons of health, or they died before they had the opportunity to be baptized, they still are saved and will go to Heaven,,
I am talking about those who say they are saved, but refuse to be baptized, to them its like sealing the deal, they will haft to make Yeshua Lord of their life, and they do not want that, they want to be lord of their own life, make no changes in theirlife style at all, everything stays as is, these are those who only want Yeshua as their Saviour, not Lord of their life..
No, baptism does not save, it serves as a wittness and testimony before the Church, brothers and sisters of the faith in Christ, ..
Christ hung publicly before the world, those excepting the free gift of Salvation, shouldn't have a problem publicly being baptized , demostrating their love and obedience publicly professing and expressing outwardly their inward decision, by submiting to the believers baptism..
the eunuch wanted right away to be obedient..
Some people have a healthproblem that being submerged under water could be a very high risk, those with patchs or something..
My hubby's uncle was dying of Cancer, he gave his life to Yeshua, and he had his family carry him down to the spring where enough water was for baptism, it was winter, they broke the ice off to baptize him, he passed on some months later, but not from the baptism, but from the Cancer..

I spent a year in Utah, Mormon country, I had many talks with a very nice lady, but she had some very strange ideals..
She told me you haft to be baptized to be saved, she had been baptized for members of her family and many others,,,

I told her that we have people that go to places like Kenya and I ask her what if that person gives their life to Jesus , makes a profession of faith,and before they get to a large body of water that person dies, ...she siad he will go to hell, then I reminded her of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man was in hell, and Lazarus was in the bossom of Abraham, and it was told the rich man that no one can go from one place to the other, there was a span,between them, ..
anyway I said to her " How is geting baptized for those already dead going to help, if they died unsaved, geting baptized for them will not get them out of hell, they needed to except Jesus before they died"..
Then she said that , that was just a story.

Well it was one Jesus told, He believed it, and even if it had been just a story ( BUT I BELIEVE EVERYTHING YESHUS SAID )
the point is, once someone dies and they believe them to be in hell, makes no difference how many times they get baptized for them, they can't get them out of hell..
And also, if they believe geting baptized for them gets them into Heaven, then they are taking credit for saving them.. of course that is not possible, for Salvation is and of Christ Yeshua and Him alone..

I told her of the thief on the cross, her responce was " he was already baptized"
no he was not, he was a harden criminal, he was so bad , he could not even be let stay in prison, that is why he was sentence to hang..
and he was not baptized and he had the promise of Christ to be with Him in Paradise that very night..
No ones Salvation is not of water baptism, but of the sacrifice of Christ, He took all sin into His own pure body, and nailed it to the cross, when He died, the sin died, it was put to death, ..

Those who love the Lord, will get baptized because they are saved, not to get saved..
There are exceptions for those who have medical problems..
I have never liked the water, well I like water, but I can't swim, and the times I tried I went under and did not come up swiming, I got water in my lungs, it burn real bad, I almost drown, but you know when I excepted the Lord as my Saviour I was not afraid to go under the water, trusted God, He bought me to Him through Christ Yeshua, I knew He would not let me drown, nor let water get in my lungs;
That was Aug. 1985 and in Oct of that same year , when the Pastor was set to baptize me along with three other ladies and ones husband I was ready and willing to be baptized before the my new family.

Oh, one lady was about 8 months with child, he was a bit concerned about her, she said she was not waiting, she wanted to be baptized with her husband..

I did not get baptized to get saved, I did because I was and I am saved, and so will all others that truely surendered their heart to Yeshua, unless they have a medical problem etc. .. it will not be, because they do not want to.

Sure pray I explained it better this time, but if you guys read my post, you will see I am in agreement with you
I said what baptism signified
its not to get saved, its because you are saved.
Please let me know you understand me, if not , I will leave, for I do not want to be a hinderence or anything..

Janet, No problem! We know what you meant and most of all I fully understand as a pastor. One of the things I have always tried to encourage people to be baptised after their profession of faith.

The problem is that a lot of people go in dirty and still come out dirty!In other words they never were saved to begin with and they use their baptism date or experience as a sign of their being saved.

It's only symbolisn nothing at all to do with redemption.

The problem is that a lot of people go in dirty and still come out dirty!In other words they never were saved to begin with and they use their baptism date or experience as a sign of their being saved

Jeani wrote:

The problem is that a lot of people go in dirty and still come out dirty!In other words they never were saved to begin with and they use their baptism date or experience as a sign of their being saved

huh? surely you don't mean hallelujah to someone thinking they are saved when baptized
Maybe I'm misreading , I do have a bad headhurt ..