Does Baptism Save? Part I

Does Baptism Save? Part I

Does baptism save us?  I’ve had a number of conversations of late with people who think we must be baptized to be saved.  The fancy term for this is “baptismal regeneration” (BR).  They often list a number of verses they believe support their view and ignore those that don’t.  Let’s take a look at them all and see what the Bible teaches:

One of the primary verses used is Acts 2:38, “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”  This seems definitely to show baptism is needed for forgiveness, but let’s think about this.  The key word in understanding this verse is “for.”  “For” can mean “in order to” as in “this hoe is for removing weeds.”  That’s the meaning the BR folks apply to this verse.  But, there is another meaning of “for.”  It can also mean “because of” as in “wanted for murder.”  I would pose this is the meaning in Acts 2:38.  We are to be baptized because of the forgiveness of our sins as a sign of that forgiveness.  So, if it might mean either, this verse is not definitive, so examination of other passages is necessary. 

1 Peter 3:21 (ESV)  Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

This is another verse used by the BR proponents to support their view.  The passage itself says it’s not speaking of water baptism.  There are two baptisms for the Christian: water baptism and baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matt 3:11) which comes at the point of salvation when we are immersed in God’s Spirit.  The baptism in this verse is baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:16 (ESV)  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

This passage in Mark has some issues.  First, the end of Mark beginning in vs. 9 does not appear in the earliest manuscripts of the New Testament.  It may be an addition by an early copyist for his own use and then copied by others as though it were in the original.  The fact is doesn’t appear in early manuscripts is not the only issue, though.  The end of Mark seems to teach something contrary to the rest of Scripture.  Verse 12 says Jesus “appeared in another form” which is not true.  Jesus appeared to Mary in the same body that died on the cross.  If you have a modern translation or a study Bible, there should be a note recognizing the problems with the end of Mark.

But, even if this weren’t enough to discount the BR belief, note the baptism is not included in the second half of the verse.  So, not being baptized does not mean condemnation, only lack of belief.

Galatians 3:27 (ESV)   For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

This is circular reasoning.  The BR people believe this means water baptism.  There is nothing in the passage that indicates that.  They are reading their conclusion into the verse to prove their conclusion.  Spiritual baptism is “baptism into Christ Jesus.”

Acts 22:16 (ESV)  And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

This is Paul retelling his experience on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9).  The original recording of this event tells us a little more about it:

Acts 9:17-18 (ESV)   So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”   And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;

This added information tells us Ananias prayed over Paul.  Scales fell from his eyes as he received the Holy Spirit and then was baptized.  If one needs to be baptized to be saved, this would contradict that.  Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit before he was baptized.

John 3:5 (ESV)  Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

This is the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus.  Remember the verse before this?

John 3:4 (ESV)  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?”

So, Nicodemus asked if “born again” meant he would have to go through natural child birth again.  Jesus said (paraphrased), no you are born once by woman (water breaks) and again by the Spirit of God.  It’s that simple.

That is what born-again means: Galatians 4:29 (ESV)   But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.

Next week we’ll look at passages that show the Bible teaches we don’t need to be baptized to be saved.

Why is this important?

Belief that baptism is required for salvation lessens the sacrifice of Christ.  It says Jesus’ death wasn’t enough, that we need to do something in addition.

Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient.  Baptism is a command, yes, but not a requirement for salvation.  Our sins are washed away by the blood of Christ and nothing else.