This is the second of two blog posts on baptism and if it is necessary for salvation.
There are a number of passages which support the idea that salvation does not require baptism. The thief on the cross, for instance, was not baptized, yet he was saved.
When Peter preached to Cornelius and his family, they accepted the gospel and displayed the gifts of the Holy Spirit showing the Holy Spirit dwelt within them, they were saved. After that they are baptized:
Acts 10:44-47 (ESV) 44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”
So, salvation came to the gentiles followed by baptism. Baptism was not required. Cornelius was first saved, then baptized.
In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul lays the gospel out completely yet without mentioning baptism. If baptism were that important, Paul would have included it.
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
In fact, in the first chapter of that very book, Paul says this: 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Paul thanked God he didn’t baptize. If baptism were necessary for salvation, would Paul have said this?
In Ephesians, Paul says there in one baptism. Now there are two candidates for that one baptism, water baptism or baptism of the Holy Spirit which we receive upon acceptance of Christ. Which do you suppose Paul is speaking of?
Ephesians 4:4-5 (ESV) There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Scripture is best explained by Scripture. From what we’ve seen, baptism is in no way required for salvation.
Why is this important?
The answer to the primary question here is “No. Baptism does not save you nor is it necessary in any way for salvation. It is a command of our Lord, a part of the great commission. Disciples are to be baptized:
Matt. 28:19 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Though it is a command and therefore is a sin if not followed, our salvation does not rest upon it. It is a public display and declaration that a Christian has dedicated his life to Christ.
Anytime someone tells you salvation comes through Jesus plus something else, they’re lying to you. We are saved by grace alone through Christ alone and by nothing else. To add something to this is to say Christ’s sacrifice was not enough. We must do something else.
Believers Armed and Dangerous 