You have probably heard it said that “baptism has nothing to do with the salvation of our souls.” You have probably also heard that “baptism is just an outward sign of an inward grace.” Or perhaps you have heard a preacher say that a person is baptized because “God for Christ's sake has pardoned your sins.”
Did you notice something important missing from these phrases? SCRIPTURE! Not one verse of scripture is quoted. Why? The answer is obvious – these words are not to be found in God's Word. So, we know what people say about baptism; let's find what God says about baptism.
Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” Salvation is dependent upon both belief and baptism. A person is saved WHEN he or she is baptized, not before. In addition, there are those who attempt to deny the essential nature of baptism by pointing to the last phrase of verse 16, “he whodoes not believe will be condemned.” The claim is made that baptism is not required for salvation because Jesus only taught that condemnation results from a lack of belief. There are at least three responses to this view: 1) If the last phrase of verse 16 denies baptism, then a hopeless contradiction is created with the first part of the verse. The Bible does not contradict itself. 2) To find the meaning of the last phrase of verse 16, let's ask a question: At what point is a person lost? The answer is found in John 3:18, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” A person is lost at the point of unbelief. This is exactly what Jesus is teaching in the last phrase of Mark 16:16. A person is condemned when he or she “does not believe.” There was no need for Jesus to list other acts of disobedience in order to identify the lost. At the point of unbelief, a person is condemned. 3) Jesus did not mention “repentance” in the last phrase of verse 16. Does that mean that repentance is also not required for salvation? Of course not! Such a conclusion is ridiculous, but must be accepted by those who would misinterpret Mark 16:16 to meet their man-made traditions.
The apostle Peter said in Acts 2:38, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2 is a record of people who heard the gospel (good news) of Jesus, believed, and then were told to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. Will you debate with Peter?
Ananias told Saul of Tarsus, “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
Let's add Revelation 1:5, “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins by His own blood.”
Baptism alone does not save. However, when preceded by faith, repentance and confession, it will put us into contact with the blood of Christ which will take away our sin.
