Millions of Christians Think Baptism Is Unrelated to Justification — Here’s Why They’re Wrong

Michie · Jan 12, 2025

‘Justification is conferred in Baptism, the sacrament of faith. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who makes us inwardly just by the power of his mercy.’ (CCC 1992)

The Bible repeatedly and undeniably connects baptism to redemption and salvation. It also closely identifies baptism and justification. Recently, I realized this all the more, in answering a Protestant apologist who tried to deny the connection. This person claimed that Jesus redeemed “independent of baptism.” But that’s simply not true:

Matthew 28:19 (RSV) 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 …

Mark 16:15-16 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

John 3:5-6 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.”

John 3:22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea; there he remained with them and baptized.

John 3:26 And they came to John, and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you bore witness, here he is, baptizing, and all are going to him.”

John 4:1-3 Now when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John(although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), he left Judea and departed again to Galilee.

Far from attempting to separate baptism from salvation or redemption, Jesus immediately mentioned baptism after referring to the making of new disciples, and connected baptism with believing, for salvation. He noted that baptism was required to “enter the kingdom of God.” He baptized via his disciples, who represent him (Mark 16:17; Luke 10:16). The Bible refers to Jesus (i.e., his entourage) baptizing in this manner three times (John 3:22, 26; 4:1-2), and even “baptizing more disciples than John” (the Baptist). Thus, he was baptizing more than even the person (John the Baptist) whose main characteristic and function was to baptize!

Continued below.