The act of baptism has always been a staple of the Christian faith. Even though the church has been baptizing believers since its conception there are some who choose to question whether the act is truly necessary for salvation. A question that may seem plausible on the surface but cannot hold up under any true scrutiny. Because as you study it out in scripture you will see that there is no true Biblical foundation to argue against the necessity of baptism.
The first time we see baptism in action in our Bibles is when John the Baptist starts baptizing people in the wilderness under the direction of God. Jesus Himself would soon come to John to be baptized. An act that He would not have done if it had not carried a greater significance. It is also important to rememberer that scripture teaches that Jesus is our example of how to live. Meaning we are to follow in His footsteps which would include being baptized just as he was.
Matthew 3:13 (ESV)
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him.
1 Corinthians 11:1 (ESV)
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
1 John 2:6 (ESV)
6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.
The simple fact that our Lord and Savior was baptized is reason enough to believe that all Christians should follow His example and be baptized. Yet, Jesus didn’t leave it at that as He taught the necessity of baptism during His ministry. Stating that in order to see the kingdom of God one must be born again. Not in terms of natural birth but of water and spirit. This statement points to baptism in water and the baptism of the Holy Spirit which was yet to come.
John 3:2–6 (ESV)
2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 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?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
If baptism is not necessary then Jesus would have not taught it. During His ministry, He corrected many false beliefs held by the Jews of the time. Such as the importance of their traditional hand washing ceremonies. But when it came to baptism His embraced it, was baptized, taught it, and even had His disciples baptize others.
John 3:22 (ESV)
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.
John 4:1–2 (ESV)
1 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2(although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples),
In fact, the very last thing Jesus instructed His disciples to do before ascending into heaven was to go into all nations making new disciples and baptizing them. Our Lord and Savior wanted the act of baptism to continue. Cementing the fact that baptism is a crucial part of the Christian faith.
Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)
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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Which is exactly what the disciples did. They carried on the act of baptism and instructed all new believers in that way. Peter was given the keys to the kingdom of heaven by Jesus. On the day of Pentecost when asked what one must do to be saved, he revealed those keys. As he clearly laid out the biblical plan of salvation. All those who heard his messages and believed were baptized that very day.
Acts 2:37–38 (ESV)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 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.
Acts 2:41 (ESV)
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
Scripture continues to show the importance of baptism as we see many more people take part in the act after hearing the Apostle’s teaching. After Philip preached the message of Christ in Samaria the believers were baptized. An Ethiopian eunuch went down in water after hearing the gospel from Phillip. The Apostles Paul was immediately baptized after regaining his sight following his Damascus road experience. Even whole families were baptized after hearing the preaching of the Apostles. Such as the families of Cornelius, Lydia, and the Philippian Jailer.
Acts 8:14–16 (ESV)
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, 15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 8:34–36 (ESV)
34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. 36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?”
Acts 9:18 (ESV)
18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;
Acts 10:44–48 (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?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.
Acts 16:14–15 (ESV)
14 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. 15 And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.
Acts 16:30–34 (ESV)
30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.
Not only did the Apostles teach baptism everywhere they went but they even wrote about it. Giving us important insight into the act. Like what it means to God. How in unifies the body of believers. Even saying that being baptized gives the believer newness of life. I even heard it said that Baptism is not taught in the epistles. A statement that you will see below is not true at all. In fact, it is in the epistles that we learn the most about baptism instead of just seeing others baptized like we do in Acts and the Gospels.
1 Peter 3:20–21 (ESV)
20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 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,
1 Corinthians 12:13 (ESV)
13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
Galatians 3:27 (ESV)
27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Romans 6:3–4 (ESV)
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:12–13 (ESV)
12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
Ephesians 4:5 (ESV)
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
If baptism is unnecessary as some say then why did the Apostles lead all these people towards it? Why did they teach it everywhere? Because the act of baptism is a necessary part of salvation. If it wasn’t then the apostles should not have brought it up every time they shared the gospel with new believers. But as we can see they did and those that believed didn’t waste any time but wanted to take part in the act as soon as they could. Only showing just who important they believed the act to be.
Of course, there are a few scriptures that those who don’t believe in the necessity of baptism point to. Such as the passage enrolling the Phillipian Jailer. The man asked what he needed to do to be saved and Paul told him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Many stop reading at that verse but that’s not where Paul’s message stopped. Belief is the first step in salvation for all people but it is not the ending point. After he established belief Paul began to teach him. After he revealed the rest of the gospel message he was baptized.
In a similar passage that confuses many people, Jesus says that those who believe and are baptized will be saved. While those who do not believe will not be saved. For a reason that I don’t really understand why many take this passage to mean you don’t need to be baptized. But that is not what it is saying at all. Jesus is simply teaching that belief must come before baptism for it to be effective. If someone doesn’t believe then they have no purpose to move forward and be baptized because it will accomplish nothing. Those who don’t believe won’t be baptized.
Mark 16:16 (ESV)
16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Possibly the most incorrectly used passage of scripture in regards to baptism not being necessary for salvation has to do with the thief on the cross. Jesus was crucified with two others one of which seems to have a moment of repentance on the cross. He first defends Jesus against the other criminal. Then asks that he would be remembered when Jesus enters His kingdom. To which Jesus responds by saying today you will be with me in Paradise.
Luke 23:39–43 (ESV)
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
This is the only person in scripture living in the time that baptism was taught that we know for sure wasn’t baptized but was granted entrance to heaven. Why? Because after coming to faith he had no possible way of being baptized. This verse does not negate the necessity of baptism but only shows the mercy of God. Who knows the motive of the heart and understands that this man would have been baptized given the opportunity. The same does not apply to those who were given chance after chance to be baptized after believing but chose not to be. As the scripture says to those who much is given much is expected.
Luke 12:48 (ESV)
48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
Scripture clearly teaches the necessity of baptism all throughout the New Testament. You can’t deny that the Apostles lived in a way that shows they say it is important. Nor can you deny that Jesus taught it. In fact, it was something He gave as a commandment to His followers. Jesus also said for those who love him to show it by keeping His commandments. So you could say that a refusal to be baptized shows nothing more than a lack of love towards the Lord.
John 14:15 (ESV)
15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
People argue against baptism because it is uncomfortable. It seems like an odd act but it is one that scripture teaches believers are to do. So take time and study it out. Pray and ask God to give you wisdom in this matter. Don’t simply write off the necessity of baptism without being completely sure it won’t affect your salvation. Which I am sure you will find that it does. If God said we are to do something then as believers who trust in Him we should be willing to do it no questions asked.
I hope this article helps you to see the importance of Baptism in scripture. If you have any questions on this subject we would be happy to help you answer them. Feel free to leave us a comment or send us an email at [email protected]. We will get back to you as soon as we can to get you the answers you are looking for.
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