~ A place to find answers to gnawing spiritual questions ~
Question: I would like to ask you a question that is confusing me: If water baptism is required for salvation or not. There are those who say that it is not required because salvation is by faith, not works, and all references to water baptism must be read as spirit baptism, ie. believing in Jesus' name. This reasoning seems to me quite contorted; why would then Jesus say, "Unless one is born of WATER and the SPIRIT, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God" (John 3:5) and "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38)? But I also know that salvation is by FAITH in Jesus. Moreover, I can't fully understand this verse: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). What happens if one does believe but is not baptized? I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you in your answer.Answer: Yes, baptism is a much debated issue. However, it should not be confusing as one looks to the Word for the answer.
1] Water baptism does not regenerate or save a person. If it did, then verses such as 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, would not make sense. Paul said that he was not sent to baptize, but to preach the gospel. I believe that the word 'water' used in the John 3:5 text is referring to the power of the Word of God to regenerate. (Hebrews 4:12 & Ephesians 5:25)
* I do believe that someone who has been converted should follow the Lord in being baptized. This if for those already saved, NOT to SAVE. It answers to a good conscience; it does not cleanse any one from sin. (1 Peter 3:21) The blood of Christ does the cleansing from sin, not water. (Hebrews 9:22 & 1 Peter 1: 18-20 & 1 John 1:7,9)
2] Water Baptism is a symbol of the regenerating work in a believer's heart. (Romans 6:1-5 and Colossians 2:12) We were not literally buried with Christ, but spiritually we were upon our trust in Him. I should say here that I believe the Bible teaches water baptism by immersion. The word used in the previous texts means 'to cover'. When someone dies, they bury or 'cover' the person with dirt. When we are immersed in water in baptism, this symbolizes how our 'old man' has been put to death and we have been raised in newness of life in Christ.
* If you attend a church that believes that water baptism saves, you need to find one that teaches the Bible on the matter of salvation. It is by faith alone that we are saved, and then in obedience as God's children we strive to live a pleasing life to God who saved and redeemed us. We become His workmen in Christ (Ephesians 2:5-10). As D. L. Moody said, "We don't work to the cross, we work from it!"
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