Is baptism a requirement for salvation?

[Not David]

Baptism in any fashion does not save.
Only Jesus Christ can save.
Baptism comes after salvation not a part of.
It is a public confession (testimony ) of what Jesus Christ has done for you.
Do I believe everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour should be baptized?
Absolutely , if possible.
But it plays no part in receiving salvation from Jesus Christ.

Where does the Bible say that Baptism is a public confession?

 

[Natsumi Lam]

Why, if I might ask?

Baptism by water is the flesh making an outward proclaimation the you will live for Christ. It is the dieing of the flesh.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit is the renewal of the heart and spirit of a person.

John 3:5 differentiates: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God"

 

[Soyeong]

There's been much discussion about this issue in my saved by works thread and I figured I'd make a topic about it. It's my impression that no, we are not saved by baptism and the verses that seem to imply that Baptism is a requirement for salvation need to be looked at closer. Like for example in John 3:5. Jesus says:

“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit."

So just what is "being born of water?" To answer that we have to look at what Nicodemus says in John 3:4 "How can someone be born when they are old? Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!". also look at Jesus's reply in John 3:6 " Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.". Jesus was talking about our physical and spiritual births. Nobody can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born into the world and then are born again spiritually. That's what Jesus was saying in John 3:5 not that we have to be baptized to enter the kingdom of God.

Second, we have to look at Mark 16:16 it says

"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

Notice it doesn't say those who believe but are not baptized are condemned. To say that this verse is proof that baptism is required for salvation is to add words that are not present in the holy text. If Baptism were a requirement for salvation Mark would have said "But those who do not believe or who believe but are not baptized will be condemned". All the first part of the verse is saying is that those who happen to be baptized will be saved. Also see: Does Mark 16:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?. Got questions explains it a lot better than I ever could.


These are just two of the most popular verses in the Bible that people try to use to "prove" that baptism is a requirement for salvation. But, there isn't a single verse in the Bible that "proves" that baptism is a requirement for salvation because, it isn't.

There also are examples in the bible of people being saved without being baptized like the thief on the cross. If baptism were required for salvation why would Jesus say "today you will be with me in paradise!"

So, what's the point in getting baptized then if it doesn't save us? Because, Baptism is a part of faith. Simple as that.

In Romans 1:5, we have received grace in order to bring about the obedience that faith requires, so we are not saved by our obedience, but rather the same grace and faith by which we are saved also requires our obedience. However, we can still have faith while being physically prevented from expressing it, such as with the thief on the cross.

 

[CObondservant]

Too many men are looking to a thief for salvation rather than to Jesus Christ.


Appealing to the "Thief on the Cross"....


1. Those trying to dodge Jesus' Lordship have no evidence that the thief was NOT baptized.

-- the whole area was turning out for John's baptism, and then Jesus was baptizing even more disciples than John.

-- the thief sure seemed to know an awful lot about Jesus, and the resurrection, as well as the kingdom.


2. Gospel baptism is into the DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION. Jesus was not yet dead, let alone buried or raised. Even IF this was merely a big favor Jesus chose to grant... it has no bearing on anyone's obedience today, especially since Pentecost.


Just follow the bible pattern as written and you’ll be a friend of Jesus! REPENT AND BE IMMERSED INTO JESUS NAME FOR REMISSION OF YOUR SINS TO BE SAVED!

 

[Eloy Craft]

Baptism is an ordinary requirement for salvation- that doesn't mean that God is powerless to make extraordinary exceptions for those who were unable to be baptized in life.

Like the criminal next to Him on the cross.

 

[Eloy Craft]

IMHO i think baptism of the Holy Spirit is different than water baptism.

What about Ephesians 4, 5?
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

 

[friend of]

Water is the nourishing word of God. John 4:14

 

[Tutorman]

Baptism is an ordinary requirement for salvation- that doesn't mean that God is powerless to make extraordinary exceptions for those who were unable to be baptized in life.

Exactly

 

[Tutorman]

Where does the Bible say that Baptism is a public confession?

That has been added to justify their position

 

[aiki]

It's my impression that no, we are not saved by baptism and the verses that seem to imply that Baptism is a requirement for salvation need to be looked at closer. Like for example in John 3:5. Jesus says:

“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit."

Some Bible scholars have thought that this verse speaks of the fleshly, physical birth (born of water - ie. amniotic fluid) and the second spiritual birth accomplished by the Spirit indwelling the believer, purifying and regenerating the believer in the process (Titus 3:5; Romans 8:9-11). Such a reading is reinforced by the next verse which continues the thought from verse 5, making it more explicit:

John 3:6
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Other Bible scholars have suggested that the verse could be translated "born of water even the Spirit" which would mean that the "water" is not physical baptism, or the fluid accompanying physical birth, but a figurative term for the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8; Acts 1:5). The word translated "and" in John 3:5 is a primary particle ("kai" in Greek) and may be readily and variously translated as "and," "even," "even as," "indeed," "likewise," etc.

I don't think water baptism is at all necessary for salvation, for being made spiritually alive by the Holy Spirit. It is clearly a work which Paul explicitly denies as necessary for salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5) It is no surprise, then, that Paul wrote,

1 Corinthians 1:17
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

If Paul believed baptism was integral to the Gospel of salvation, I have a hard time seeing how he could have written what he did here. He even remarks a couple of verses earlier that he was glad that he had not baptized some of the Corinthian believers! How could he say such a thing if baptism was essential to the Corinthian believers' salvation? It seems evident to me Paul didn't think it was.

There is, of course, the problem of the thief on the cross next to Christ. He was never baptized but yet Christ said to him, "Today you shall be with me in Paradise." Is this merely an exceptional circumstance? How many times must people be saved under circumstances where they cannot be baptized in water before it ceases to be exceptional? Physically disabled people, badly ill people, people on their death-bed, people in prisons - I have heard of individuals in all of these circumstances coming to faith in Christ, unable, though, to be baptized. Are they unsaved? Or, like the thief on the cross, is water baptism not essential to their eternal destiny?

If baptism is vital to salvation, why does it not consistently appear in explanations in Scripture of how salvation is obtained? (John 1:12; John 3:16; John 20:31; Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 4:14-16, etc.)

I don't recall the very first Christians in Acts 2 being baptized prior to their being indwelt by the Spirit. They were spiritually-regenerated entirely apart from water baptism.

Don't get me wrong: I think baptism is very important. It ought to be the very first act we perform in consequence of the things we have come to believe concerning the Gospel. Being immediately baptized upon one's conversion demonstrates what the apostle James explained about faith always being reflected in corresponding behaviour. (James 2:14-26) Baptism communicates to the new believer that "faith without works is dead." It is also an outward sign of an inward change. It is symbolic of the believer's union with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:1-6), as well. But baptism is not salvific.

 

[ItIsFinished!]

That has been added to justify their position

Nothing was added and that part was an assessment as a part of what baptism represents.
It was never stated as a bible verse.
So the only thing being added is you're presumptions, which are wrong.

 

[Tutorman]

Nothing was added and that part was an assessment as a part of what baptism represents.
It was never stated as a bible verse.
So the only thing being added is you're presumptions, which are wrong.

Actually it is added, it never says anywhere that Baptism is for a witness of what one did, instead St. Peter says repent and be baptized in order to be saved

 

[Alithis]

Some have thought that this verse speaks of the fleshly, physical birth (born of water - ie. amniotic fluid) and the second spiritual birth accomplished by the Spirit indwelling the believer, purifying and regenerating the believer in the process (Titus 3:5; Romans 8:9-11). Such a reading is reinforced by the next verse which continues the thought from verse 5, making it more explicit:

John 3:6
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Others have suggested that the verse could be translated "born of water even the Spirit" which would mean that the "water" is not physical baptism, or the fluid accompanying physical birth, but a figurative term for the Holy Spirit (Mark 1:8; Acts 1:5). The word translated "and" in John 3:5 is a primary particle ("kai" in Greek) and may be readily and variously translated as "and," "even," "even as," "indeed," "likewise," etc.

I don't think water baptism is at all necessary for salvation, for being made spiritually alive by the Holy Spirit. It is clearly a work which Paul explicitly denies as necessary for salvation. (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5) It is no surprise, then, that Paul wrote,

1 Corinthians 1:17
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

If Paul believed baptism was integral to the Gospel of salvation, I have a hard time seeing how he could have written what he did here. He even remarks a couple of verses earlier that he was glad that he had not baptized some of the Corinthian believers! How could he say such a thing if baptism was essential to the Corinthian believers' salvation? It seems evident to me Paul didn't think it was.

There is, of course, the problem of the thief on the cross next to Christ. He was never baptized but yet Christ said to him, "Today you shall be with me in Paradise." Is this merely an exceptional circumstance? How many times must people be saved under circumstances where they cannot be baptized in water before it ceases to be exceptional? Physically disabled people, badly ill people, people on their death-bed, people in prisons - I have heard of individuals in all of these circumstances coming to faith in Christ, unable, though, to be baptized. Are they unsaved? Or, like the thief on the cross, is water baptism not essential to their eternal destiny?

If baptism is vital to salvation, why does it not consistently appear in explanations in Scripture of how salvation is obtained? (John 1:12; John 3:16; John 20:31; Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 4:14-16, etc.)

I don't recall the very first Christians in Acts 2 being baptized prior to their being indwelt by the Spirit. They were spiritually-regenerated entirely apart from water baptism.

Don't get me wrong: I think baptism is very important. It ought to be the very first act we perform in consequence of the things we have come to believe concerning the Gospel. Being immediately baptized upon one's conversion demonstrates what the apostle James explained about faith always being reflected in corresponding behaviour. (James 2:14-26) Baptism communicates to the new believer that "faith without works is dead." It is also an outward sign of an inward change. It is symbolic of the believer's union with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:1-6), as well. But baptism is not salvific.

the problem when one takes this verse from paul and presents it as a whole ..is simply it is not a whole ..
Paul states that he was not sent to baptise
he was sent to preach the Gospel
the good news of Jesus .

and what is the goods news of Jesus ? that he became flesh .died on the cross , rose again and we must repent BE BAPTIZED and receive the Holy Spirit .
So he is simply saying water baptism is a part of the whole .. he was not sent to only water baptize but to present the WHOLE MESSAGE of the Gospel .so stop squabbling about who baptized you .. it is irrelevant to the whole Gospel message . -that is the context he is speaking into and the point he is making .

 

[ItIsFinished!]

Actually it is added, it never says anywhere that Baptism is for a witness of what one did, instead St. Peter says repent and be baptized in order to be saved

Nothing was added. I explained what I meant.
Baptism doesn't and hasn't saved one soul ever.

 

[Natsumi Lam]

What about Ephesians 4, 5?
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

According to the Greek it means immersion in water 908 with a derivative of 907. It refers to the Baptisma of John.


Here is a study on the Holy Spirit Infilling and about both types of baptism.


Holy Spirit Infilling and Baptism

Acts 1: 4 Commanded to wait for the Promise of the Father.

Acts 2:37-39 HS is a gift of God, given in sundry ways.

Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 Filled with the HS after being baptized in the name of JC.

Acts 10:15-20 Peter told not to call anything God calls clean, unclean.

Acts 10:34-48 HS fall on Gentiles also.

Acts 11:12-18 Filled with the HS before baptized in the water.

Acts 19:1-6 Disciples of John the Baptist are filled with the HS.

Baptism of the Holy Spirit


3. What is Baptism? Acts 19:1-6, Rm. 6:3-8

4. Does the Bible talk about being filled with the Holy Spirit? Jn. 14: 15&17

5. How can a person be filled/baptized with the Holy Spirit? Lk. 11: 11-13

6. A person will receive the Holy Spirit when they are saved. Acts 10: 15-48, 11: 12-17, 19: 1-7

7. Does a person have to be saved, to be filled, with the Holy Spirit?
Acts 10: 15-48, 11: 12-17, 19: 1-7

8. Do you have to be baptized with the Holy Spirit to go to heaven?
Jn. 3:1-8, 36, Mk. 12:16, Lk. 23:39-43

9. How does a person lose the Holy Spirit? Mt. 12: 31-32

10. What are the benefits to having the Holy Spirit? Jn. 14:26, 16: 8-14

11. Does a person have to be baptized in water to receive the Holy Spirit?

· Acts 10: 15-48, 11: 12-17, 19: 1-7

12. Why do we need the Holy Spirit? Eph 1: 13-14, 4:30

13. Are there physical signs that show a person has been filled with the Holy Spirit?
Acts 2: 4, 10: 44-46, 1 Cor. 12: 1-14

14. If there are signs that show a person is filled with the Holy Spirit, what are they?
Acts 2: 4, 10: 44-46, 1 Cor. 12: 1-14

15. The Bible lists _______ number of fruits of the Holy Spirit. Gal 5: 22-23

16. The Bible lists _______ number of Gifts of the Holy Spirit? 1 Cor.12: 1-11

17. Why is He called the Holy Spirit and not just the Spirit?
Ex. 15: 11, Psm 99:9, Isa 6:3, Eph 4: 4-6, 1 Pet. 1: 13-16, Rev. 15: 4

18. What powers are given to you when you are filled with the Holy Spirit?
Gal: 5: 22-23, 1 Cor 12: 1-14, 1 Jn. 1: 9.

19. Does a person have to have the Holy Spirit to be saved?
Lk. 23: 39-43, Acts 2: 21, Rm. 10: 9

21. Do you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit? Jn. 3: 1-8, 14:26, 16: 8-14

22. Was Jesus baptized/filled with the Holy Spirit?
Mt.3: 10-13 Mk.1:9-11, Lk.3:21-22,

23. How do you communicate with the Holy Spirit?
Rm. 8: 21-27, 1 Cor 14: 1- 40

24. What is the difference between the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost?
Acts 1: 5 & 8, Rm. 5:5 1 Thess. 1: 5-6, 4:8, 2 Tim. 1: 14

25. Can a person receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit anywhere?
Acts 10: 15-48, 11: 12-17, 19: 1-7

26. What is the difference between God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit?
1 Cor 12: 1-7, Eph. 4: 1-7

27. What are the fruits of the Spirit? Gal. 5: 22-25

 

[FireDragon76]

I don't know any ancient Christian church that teaches that baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation. This is more of a polemic by some modern evangelical groups, than a fair characterization of the beliefs of Catholics, Orthodox Christians, or Lutherans and Anglicans.

 

[Alithis]

........than a fair characterization of the beliefs of Catholics, Orthodox Christians, or Lutherans and Anglicans.

its perceptional , i don't consider disobedience to the gospel to be "Christian at all " ..
nor do i have much time for dishonesty . the word means to dip .. the command is to repent ..
one repents and because one has, they get baptized having decided to follow and obey the lord Jesus .

one does not get baptized in order to repent .one repents and as a result obeys God and gets baptized - thus infant baptism is annulled of any validity what so ever .

 

[Alithis]

Baptism in any fashion does not save.
Only Jesus Christ can save.
Baptism comes after salvation not a part of.
It is a public confession (testimony ) of what Jesus Christ has done for you.
Do I believe everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour should be baptized?
Absolutely , if possible.
But it plays no part in receiving salvation from Jesus Christ.

well that's a whole mouthful of contradiction isn't it .

its like saying to be saved you must obey Jesus , but you don't have to obey Jesus , but should a person obey Jesus -absolutely if possible .- i mean come on your kidding right ?

 

[Alithis]

Where does the Bible say that Baptism is a public confession?

it doesn't .

 

[ItIsFinished!]

well that's a whole mouthful of contradiction isn't it .

its like saying to be saved you must obey Jesus , but you don't have to obey Jesus , but should a person obey Jesus -absolutely if possible .- i mean come on your kidding right ?

No I'm not kidding. Hopefully you are.
I'm not saying whatsoever what you are implying.

What must one do to receive salvation?