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Where In The Bible Will I Find... One Must Be Baptized To Be Saved?
Gary Colley |
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Though there are many references to baptism in the New Testament, three verses readily come to mind concerning the necessity of baptism for salvation. In Mark 16:16, Jesus clearly says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." Also, the Holy Spirit said through Peter on the beginning day of the church, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38). Peter also says, "...baptism doth also now save us..." (1 Pet. 3:21). Most religious people have submitted to some kind of baptism, but not always for the purpose taught in the Bible. There is only one purpose for baptism given in the New Testament — for the remission of sins. If the Bible taught, "He that believeth and is baptized shall receive $1,000.00," no one would misunderstand that baptism was necessary to receive the money. We are not taught to be baptized to enter a denomination, since there were no denominations in existence when Peter preached on Pentecost. We are not taught to be baptized after we've been saved by "faith only," but we are told that baptism is "for," or "in order to" salvation. Baptism is never a sprinkling or pouring of water in the New Testament, but rather a burial in water and a resurrection from that water. (Matt. 3:16; Acts 8:38-39). There is no "resurrection" from a sprinkling or pouring and therefore these actions do not constitute New Testament baptism. (Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12). Scriptural baptism requires that one first be taught the gospel. (Matt. 28:18-20). Infants, therefore, are not scriptural subjects for baptism. Scriptural baptism requires that one must first believe. (Mark 16:15-16). Scriptural baptism requires that one must first repent of his past sins. (Acts 2:38). Scriptural baptism requires that one first confess his faith in the Christ. (Rom. 10:10; Matt. 10:32; Acts 8:37). Have you really been baptized for the scriptural purpose and in the scriptural way? Your salvation depends on your obedience to the Saviour Jesus Christ. One who is guided by the scriptures cannot be wrong. Obey the Lord in baptism today. (2 Cor. 6:2). |