Have you ever been in the situation where one person was telling you one thing and someone else was telling you something completely different? I have, & let me tell you… it’s annoying! In that situation what do you generally end up doing? If you’re like most people (including myself) you do whatever the person you know the best (or who has the most authority in your life) tells you to do. For example, when I was a child if my mom said one thing and my sister said another, I listened to my mom!
While this can be annoying in our daily lives, unfortunately, we also see this happening every single day in the religious world. There are literally thousands of denominations in the United States alone, and every single one of them teaches something a little bit different. As is our nature, we typically take the belief system we were raised with (what those closest to us have taught us), tweak it a little bit, and viola– we have our religious beliefs! Fortunately, this isn’t a big deal since we are all simply taking different roads to get to the same place (Heaven), right? Well… read on.
As I became an adult, one of my biggest fears was to be caught going the wrong direction on the turnpike without the money to pay the toll. Generally, on a toll road if you’re going the wrong direction it’s a long time before you have the opportunity to turn around, and when you are finally able to turn around, it costs you! It might sound funny, but I would literally panic anytime I saw a toll road because of my fear. In the same way, there is only one path to Heaven, and Jesus says it is narrow, hard, and few will find it (Matthew 7:13-14). This is also a toll road, and the payment is the blood of Christ. Even if we are traveling on this road (striving to live in obedience to God’s word), if we don’t have the payment of Christ’s blood to cover our passage we will not be allowed in, and we will face something much worse than a ticket (Matthew 13:47-50).
So how do we know if we have the blood of Christ? Well, logically, in order to receive the blood of Christ, we must be IN Christ. In Christ is where we have:
- Life (Romans 6:23, I Corinthians 15:22)
- No condemnation (Romans 8:1)
- Freedom (Romans 8:2)
- Unity (Romans 12:5)
- Sanctification (I Corinthians 1:2)
- Hope (I Corinthians 15:9)
- Newness (2 Corinthians 5:17)
- Reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19)
- Justification (Galatians 2:17)
- The blessing of Abraham for the Gentiles (Galatians 3:14)
- Becoming children of God (Galatians 3:26)
- Nearness to God (Ephesians 2:13)
- God’s eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:11)
- The saints (Colossians 1:2)
But how do we get in Christ?
Generally, it is believed that if you ask Jesus into your heart, you receive the forgiveness of sins and are then put in Christ. The interesting thing with this teaching is that it is not found anywhere in Scripture. There is not one single Scripture that talks of asking Jesus into your heart or saying the “sinners prayer.”
In the New Testament, we have a record of literally thousands of people being saved from their sins, and not one of them was told to say a prayer in order to receive salvation. The apostle Paul (Saul) actually spent three solid days in prayer and was still not saved (Acts 9).
Scripture plainly teaches that NOT everyone who believes in Christ will be saved. Matthew 7:21-23 gives an account of those who not only believed in Jesus, but were serving him, yet Christ denied them on the day of judgment. Just a few verses up Jesus states, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14).
There is, however, Scripture that teaches that we must call on the name of the Lord to be saved. This passage is Acts 22:16. What most people fail to realize, however, is that this passage defines calling on the name of the Lord as being done through the act of baptism, not through saying a prayer.
The truth of Scripture is that there is only one way to get into Christ, and that is detailed for us in Romans chapter 6. In verses 3-4 we read, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized 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.” If you continue reading through verse 11 this passage paints a beautiful picture of the purpose of baptism. This act is a literal re-enactment of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We die to ourselves and contact the blood of Christ through baptism, and come up out of the water a new creation (Romans 6:4). This is also plainly taught in Colossians 2:12.
In fact, every time we see a conversion in the New Testament, it is through baptism.
In Acts 2 Peter is preaching the first Gospel sermon. In verse 37 we read, “Now when they [the Jews] heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ 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.’” Verse 41 tells us that GOD added those who were baptized that day to the church. Other Scriptures to look at are: Acts 8:12, Acts 8:13, Acts 8:36-28, Acts 10:48, Acts 16:15, Acts 22:16, I Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:27.
With this understanding, what is it that most people teach about baptism? Most say that it is an outward showing of an inward change. However, is that how Scripture describes baptism? Most people believe that they are saved (generally by asking Jesus into their heart), and then they are baptized at a later time (frequently to be admitted into their denomination). However, I Peter 3:21 says, “Baptism, which corresponds to this [Noah’s ark], 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.” What does this passage say saves us? Baptism.
Ephesians 4:4-6 makes it even clearer, “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, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” How many baptisms does this passage say there are? Only one, the baptism described in Romans 6. If someone has been baptized, but not in the way and for the reasons described in Scripture, they have not experienced the one baptism and are not yet in Christ.
Another common misunderstanding with baptism is how one is baptized. Some teach that you must be immersed, some say that sprinkling or pouring is acceptable. Well, according to Ephesians 4 all of these cannot be accurate, so which is it? Many do not know that the word “baptize” was actually transliterated, not translated, from the Greek to the English. This means that they took the Greek word, “BAPTIZO,” and simply changed it to English letters. In the Greek language, you “baptize” your dishes when you wash them because the word literally means to “immerse.”
If you look at our Romans 6 passage, sprinkling or pouring would not meet the description of a burial. In addition, in every Scriptural example we have, those who were baptized went down into the water, and then came up again (Matthew 3:6 with Jesus, Acts 8:38-39). This would mean that in order to meet the description of the “one baptism” found in Ephesians 4:5, we must be fully immersed in the water.
Satan is alive and well in our world and “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8). One of the greatest tools in Satan’s arsenal is to convince us that something isn’t really necessary that Scripture plainly says is. He doesn’t have to worry about a lifetime of “good living” if he can convince us that our sins are forgiven when they really are not. It doesn’t matter if we are striving to walk the narrow road if we don’t have the payment of Christ’s blood to pay our toll at the end. I leave you with the words of Peter, “I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it,” I Peter 5:12b
This article sparked some wonderful questions and discussion. Lacy addresses those questions in these articles:
- Upside Down - August 15, 2024
- Generations: What’s the Worst that Could Happen? - December 21, 2022
- Generations: Where Did the Time Go? - November 16, 2022
Very well written, thank you 🙂
I agree, very well written. I sent a copy to a lady I have been teaching for sometime in the hope she will submit her life to Christ. Thank you.
Thank you so much for the encouragement ladies! & God bless you in your efforts for Him!
Having recently been baptised, I really appreciated this article. Right on target. It was clear and concise using scriptures to validate. Thanks.
Thanks Sister June, you are such an encouragement!
Thank you for this article. One of my sweetest friends posted an excellent article about serving God-until she got to baptism. I’m sending her this article.
Please pray that it will prick her heart. She is such a dear person.
OH MY! I cannot say enough about this article. SO well written, VERY thorough, and totally direct. THANK YOU for this beautifully written, informative article.
Lacy…you are amazing! Thank you so much for this wonderful article. I’m sending it to lots of people I know!
Thank you so much for the sweet encouragement ladies, God bless!
Great message. I will pass on
Some preachers will tell you that if baptism was so important that Jesus would have to come down from the cross and the thief hanging beside Him would have to come down as well for Jesus to baptize him… This denies the power that Jesus had while on the earth. He the power to heal and to save. He could look into a man’s heart and know all about him.
Hello Cindy, thank you so much for taking the time to comment! You are exactly right! We actually address this aspect specifically an an article entitled, “Baptism Q & A). I hope you find it helpful as well, God bless! 🙂
Thank you for a lesson in sufficiency and completeness, leaving no omissions.
Well written however, the thief on the cross was saved and there WAS NO TIME TO BE IMMERSED IN WATER…..
Excellent point Lisa. 🙂 I actually specifically address this in another article entitled, “Baptism Q & A Part 2”. Please take the time to look over this article as well. The short answer is that at this point in time Jesus was still alive and therefore they were still under the Law of Moses.
http://comefillyourcup.com/2014/06/03/baptism-q-a-part-2-of-2/
I love that there are scriptures to support and back up all of the requirements to become a child of God. Thank you for this informative lesson. So glad it has come my way.
Thank you!
Thanks for a clear, good description of the vital place of baptism in the salvation process—and for a great job of fielding questions (especially about the oft-raised issue of the thief on the cross). Good teaching!
Thank you for the encouragement!
One is saved before baptism. Baptism does not save. Faith and repentance does. Eph 2:8-9
Cornelius was saved by faith. The apostle Peter did not baptize Cornelius and his family to save them; he knew that God had already accepted them and purified their heart by faith. ‘So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith’ (Acts 15:8). Therefore he argued, ‘Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?’ (Acts 10:47).
Their experience was by no means an exceptional case; rather, according to the apostle Peter, it is the norm and pattern for everyone: ‘We believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they’ (Acts 15:11). Baptism shows forth, but does not achieve, what is already accomplished by faith.
Wasn’t this gift of the Holy Spirit the one that gave people gifts of prophesy and speaking in tongues and such? That was given as a sign that the truth was being presented. Immersion today doesn’t come with those gifts. The truth has been conveyed entirely via the Bible and gifts from the Holy Spirit are no longer needed today to prove it’s authority. You’re first sentence is the exact opposite of 1 Peter 3:21. I choose to believe it rather than you.
Articles like this are why the Church of Christ denomination has the reputation for being one of the most judgmental out there. I appreciate your obvious sincerity, but I totally disagree with your conclusions. By your same logic- if Baptism is what saves a person- then infant Baptism works? Also, the Jesus I love isn’t going to stand one day and judge my heart and say- “Oh, I know you accepted me and we had a relationship- but oh, darn, you were sprinkled… Enjoy hell.”
The word “denomination” comes from the Latin roots “de” and “nominare.” The Latin prefix “de” means “from among” and the word “nominare” means “to name” (see here for reference). Essentially, to be of a denomination means to be “from among” or “of” a particular name. The apostle Paul adamantly opposed such a practice in 1 Corinthians 1:11-13. Another definition of “denomination” according to the Online Etymology Dictionary is “a calling by anything other than the proper name” (see here for reference). Never was there a more apt definition, for to call oneself a “Baptist” is to claim that name above Christ’s. To identify oneself as a Methodist is to claim that particular group and its name over the names given by scripture. The church of Christ is not a denomination. It is, rather, those called out from the world to be an assembly (“church” is translated from the Greek EKKLESIA, meaning “a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place, an assembly” see here for reference)… an assembly which belongs to— is “of”—Christ. We identify as the church of Christ because that is one of the names scripture has called those who follow Jesus (Romans 16:16). There are other scriptural names, but it is convenient to identify the Lord’s church from one town to another when we use one name. There are, however, those who call themselves “church of Christ” but do not follow Christ and His teachings and therefore are not of Him. Equally true, there are those who clearly follow Christ and His teachings, yet choose another scriptural name to go by.
As for the reputation attributed to the church by those outside the church, it matters naught. The good opinion of one’s Lord is the only opinion one should covet.
1 Peter 3:21 clearly states “…baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience— through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” To summarize, it is not the actual water removing literal dirt which saves. Rather, it is the appeal which one is making to God for a good conscience (one cleansed of sin) through obedience to His command and chosen method for making that appeal for forgiveness. There is no magic in the water. I cannot grab Joe Schmoe off the street and “baptize” him, expecting the result to be his salvation. He must be making that appeal to God by his baptism (more on this in a moment). A baby cannot make an appeal for a good conscience, even if it were necessary. According to Acts 2:38, baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. According to Ezekiel 18:4, the soul guilty of sinning is the one who will die for it (as opposed to the errant doctrine that one inherits sin). A baby is certainly not capable of sinning and therefore has no sin to be forgiven by being baptized.
While this comment did not address the issue of intent in baptism, it seems good to do so now. One’s intentions and heart in baptism is of the utmost importance, as 1 Peter 3:21 shows. If one’s intention in baptism is something other than appeal for a clean conscience or to be forgiven of sin (as the apostle Peter commanded in Acts 2:38 or as Ananias told the apostle-to-be Saul/Paul in Acts 22:16), it is not truly an obedient baptism and salvation cannot be the expectation. Many are “baptized” because they wish to show an outward sign of an inward change. Many are “baptized” to join a particular denomination/ church. Neither of these intentions are found anywhere in scripture, would not be in accordance with its teachings and therefore could not result in the promises of scripture.
Consider these scriptures:
John 14:15 “If you love me, you will keep My commandments.”
–Questions to ask and answer:
–If one does not follow the commandments of Jesus, is that a genuine love?
–If we love Jesus, must we follow only the words of Christ, that is, only “the words in red” or must we also follow the commandments given by the apostles? (Additional scriptures to consider in aid of answering this question: John 16:13—Jesus promises the Spirit of Truth, that is, the Holy Spirit, to the apostles and says that Spirit will guide them into ALL truth. 1 John 1:3— the apostle John says that what he and the others who saw and heard the Word of Life [Jesus] proclaim what they saw and heard so that we too may be in fellowship with Jesus)
Mark 16:15-16 “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.’”
–Questions to ask and answer:
–We can learn from this scripture how to be saved and how to be condemned; which do I want to be?
–If one does not believe but is baptized, would the result be salvation?
Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in your name perform many miracles?’ And I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’”
–Questions to ask and answer:
–Who are those who say “Lord, Lord”? Are they unbelievers or those who have “accepted” Jesus?
–Did those saying “Lord, Lord” believe themselves to be acting in Jesus’ will or outside of it?
–Did those saying “Lord, Lord” believe themselves to have a relationship with Jesus, or not?
After considering these scriptures, one question remains: “Is the Jesus I love the same as scripture puts forth or one of man’s invention?” The Jesus of scripture saves. None other will.
In Christian love,
Erynn Sprouse
Editor, Come Fill Your Cup
You are right on! Baptisim is not necessary for salvation.
Actually, that’s the exact opposite of what I was saying. Was there something in particular in my response that gave you this idea?
God has a great way of warning us before it’s too late. So many references in the Bible where people didn’t do exactly as God instructed, as in (Lev 10:1-3 NIV). They were sincere but it was not what God commanded. He loved them too, but He is Holy and to be honored. He continues to warn and discipline us and as a parent His love is also poured out…when He humbled himself as man to live and communicate with us how much love is this!! Then to give man inspiration to pen His Word in an instruction manual for us to follow; learn from, live by and teach by…If God says you need to be baptized as in the many references in the Bible then why dispute it, He’s God! Jesus was baptized and God was pleased. God is waring us time and time again to overcome even these sins…as written in (Rev 21:7-8 NIV), and unbelieving is noted. How many times have I heard, “I don’t believe you have to be baptized”…well here is God’s warning! You may not think you have done any of these sins, but think differently; have you lied on your taxes (liar), have you thought about someone sexually (sexually immoral), have you read your horoscope or gone to a palm reader (magic arts), have you been silent in a group of gossipers (cowardly)…we are ALL sinners and need to be forgiven, even if it’s a simple act of baptism–where we are presented the gift of the Holy Spirit, to live within and guide us throughout our days. And yes it’s a mind-changing, heart-loving, and hand-action reaction to serve our King daily!
Kris you are correct in saying we need faith this is something we all need but it is not all that we need (James2:26)which can sometimes be misinterpreted. But in the example of Cornelius it is a special case because he was the first Gentile to be saved. God was using him as an example to show the apostles who also received the Holy Spirit in the same way (to my knowledge the only two groups who ever received the Holy Spirit in this manner) that He has accepted the Gentiles just like he did the Jews. In Chapter 11 you can see that Peter is telling the Jews about it and when he said ” just as he did us” he was referring to the apostles not everyone. And the reason why he said “can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized” was bc before this no Gentiles or “uncircumcised” were baptized so they could be saved but by God showing that he has given the Holy Spirit to them just like he did with the apostles shows his approval. And by saying who should deny them to be baptized, to me, shows just how important it is to be baptized that even after having the Holy Spirit he still needed to be baptized to enter into the death with Christ and be risen a new man( Rom6:3-4), which is what Peter would have been denying him if he said he could not be baptized.
Great article!! Its very clear (easy to understand) and totally backed up with Scripture.
Thank you so much!
I have many Church of Christ friends, but I must respond to this. First, I agree that Narrow is the path that leads to Heaven and Few find it. Let’s think about the world population for a minute. Millions and millions of muslims, millions of buddists, millions and millions of catholics, millions of mormons- all on the wrong path. There could be some in these groups who know and believe the true way to salvation, but very few. Then millions more in all kinds of coo-coo religions. Millions more have no belief system at all. So yes, narrow is the way.
I also agree that baptism is a picture of the death, burial, and rising to new life of our Savior. It’s a good way to show the world that you are a new creature in Christ. Your heart has been changed and you’re not ashamed to show it. But, it’s a heart issue, not a liquid issue.
I also agree that many people think they are saved because they said a prayer or joined a church, and many think that they are saved because a certain preacher from a certain church immersed them in water. Someone can be put under water a hundred times, but if the Holy Spirit has not taken up residence in their heart they’re just getting wet. It’s a heart issue, not a liquid issue.
(Matthew 9:1-7) And he entered into a ship, passed over, and came into his own city. And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think he evil in your Hearts? For whether is easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and walk? But that ye may know that the son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, then saith He to the sick of palsy, Arise take up thy bed and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. It’s a heart issue, not a liquid issue.
James 2:19 You believe that there is one god; thou do well: the demons also believe and shudder.
I believe that a spacecraft can go to space. I don’t However, have enough faith in them to get on one that is fixing to take off. So I have headknowledge: yes they can go to space and comeback, but my heart says: I don’t trust in it enough to put my life into its hand (capsule). It’s a heart issue!
I wanted to say that I appreciate your thoughts. I wanted to clarify a few things in case the article was confusing or was not specific enough. First, I agree with what you said as far as the narrow way with regards to the world. There are many who, for whatever reason, do not believe in Jesus. This puts them in the broad path. However, in the context of this teaching it would be even more narrow than that. Jesus begins his teachings in Matt. 5:1-2 and he is teaching his disciples. He concludes his teachings in Matt. 7:24-27 with a warning about doing what he is teaching. This means that even those who want to be his disciples have to be careful to follow Him with all of their hearts to find the narrow way.
Second, if this was not clear in the article I believe that baptism is both an issue of the heart and of liquid. According to Romans 6 baptism is more than a picture of Jesus’ death burial and resurrection (Rom. 6:1-4). Baptism is the point at which we choose to die to self, bury the old sinful self, and rise a new creature in Christ (Rom.6:5-6). Notice that it is at this point that we are united with Christ in His death and also in His resurrection, and it is only after we have chosen to die to sin (through baptism) that we are set free from it (Rom. 6:7). Christ died and yet death does not have dominion over him (Rom. 6.8-11). Because of this we should be dead to sin and alive to Christ. Meaning we should not live a sinful lifestyle (Rom. 6:12-16). Notice though that it should be done from the heart (Rom. 6:17-18). This means that it is both: a liquid issue and a heart issue and that either one without the other is incomplete.
Baptism is also the point at which our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16). I Peter 3:21 also makes this clear, “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.” How can we possibly be in a right relationship with Christ if we are still in our sins? Also baptism is the point at which one receives the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-40 & 1 Cor. 12:12-13). How can the Holy Spirit take up residence in the heart of those who have not done what it takes to receive Him?
In the end it is a matter of the heart as you said: will we humble ourselves and be obedient to the Word of God? Jesus said, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). We can have the heart issue (believe in Jesus) yet if it does not become a liquid thing (believe AND be baptized) then we are still lost.
I’m part of a discipleship teaching and the best commentary is the Bible. The first chapter in our booklet is the “Word of God”. If the person I’m teaching doesn’t take the Word of God as the absolute standard, it’s very difficult to go any further. It’s OK to not understand scripture and study it like the Bereans did in (Acts 17:11 NIV), but to not believe…God reveals what happens to unbelievers in (Rev 21:7 NIV). And that means every word written was inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21 NIV) to thoroughly equip us (2 Timothy 3:16-17)and used to watch our life and doctrine closely to save ourselves and those we teach as instructed in (1 Timothy 4:16 NIV). My conclusion to this…that ALL of us are responsible for searching the scripture ourselves, because in the end we will stand before God on our own as written in (Rev 20:11-13 NIV).
I think this passage of the article is not taking into consideration the whole of scripture in context when you say that the following stated principles are not found anywhere in Scripture: “Generally it is believed that if you ask Jesus into your heart, you receive the forgiveness of sins and are then put in Christ. The interesting thing with this teaching is that it is not found anywhere in Scripture. There is not one single Scripture that talks of asking Jesus into your heart or saying the ‘sinners prayer.'” I believe that one of the places that the premise for asking Jesus into your heart comes from 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 which reads: “21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” There is a definite direct Scriptural equivalent here wherein God puts His Holy Spirit into our hearts as a deposit (comes into our hearts) which results in our adoption as His children and salvation. Therefore, it is Scriptural to ask Jesus to “come into” your heart. The Sinner’s Prayer is derived generally from Roman’s 3:23 (all have sinned), Romans 6:23 (sin = death), Romans 5:8 (Jesus died for sinners), and principally from Romans 10:9-10,13 which reads: “9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved…13 for, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” So, although these Scriptures do not contain the entirety of the Gospel, it is Biblical to call people to declare with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and to believe the truth of His power over death in their hearts. Moreover, in this particular passage, it says that confession and belief are what are needed for salvation. There is also no reason to infer contextually that Romans 10:23 “calling on the name of the Lord” refers to baptism in that passage. So much division in Christianity is caused by emphasizing some passages of Scripture without taking into full consideration that others Christian’s beliefs are also Biblical. We should strive for the full picture that the Bible lays out for us. Romans 3:23 is as valid a passage on teaching us what is necessary for salvation as is 1 Peter 3:21. We should weigh them both with equal respect and apply them both with equal discipline. In both cited instances, God is the Savior, the One who redeems us, who guides us to all Truth. No one first entering the faith is going to have perfect understanding of the full scope of being in Christ. Just like Paul, we were blind in sin and darkness until Jesus, the Light of our Salvation, the true Light that gives Light to every man, showed us His glory and made us His children and we became “born of God” (aka. born again, see John 1). It doesn’t seem Scriptural that fallen people would come to the waters of baptism with perfect intentions and theological understanding of the act if they are not in Christ. Either they have already seen Jesus for who He is and the Holy Spirit is acting upon them to be baptized, or they come to be baptized while still in darkness, dead in sin and still in rebellion to God. I had never even heard the theology put forward by believers who attend at a building that bears the sign “Church of Christ” until long after I had given my life to Jesus and been baptized by immersion into the church. Since becoming acquainted with other believers that attend a Church of Christ, I agree wholeheartedly with the tenant that people are baptized into the church. It saddens my heart to be excluded from that for no Scriptural reason. Very few believing Christians desire to be baptized into a denomination. Why bother? Membership is linked to baptism for some churches for the same reason as in a Church of Christ; through baptism you become a member of the body of Christ, giving Him complete Lordship over your life and desiring to follow the truth of the Bible and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Consider also Ephesians 1:13-14:”13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” This is another strong Scriptural reference that lists hearing, believing, and receiving the Holy Spirit (again the word deposit and guarantee is used as in the passage we cited in 2 Corinthians). The seal of of our salvation is receiving the Holy Spirit, which is linked to water baptism in other passages. Why does your article not talk about this in regards to salvation? Certainly you can be baptized by water without receiving a “deposit” and a “guarantee”. The more definitive marker is the seal of the Holy Spirit. Does this happen upon immersion? Quite possibly. I think these are a few Scriptural considerations that were not addressed fully. Thank you for reading through that mouthful. I do respect the research and understanding that are evident in your writing. I just wanted to give an slightly expanded point of view from a Biblical perspective.
You bring out some great questions and thoughts. I will try to respond to them and flesh out some of the details a little better.
First, it was beyond the scope of the article to address every detail that pertains to the seal of the Holy Spirit, that is a subject that should be its own article (or two) in and of itself.
Second, you are correct that one can be immersed without receiving the Holy Spirit, in fact this was the primary difference between the baptism of John and the baptism of Jesus. John’s baptism was one of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Luke 3:3), yet even he recognized that Jesus’ baptism would involved the Spirit (Luke 3:15-16). That is the difference in what John was teaching and practicing and what Peter proclaimed and was practiced on Pentecost (Acts 2:38-40). This difference is clearly seen in Acts 19:1-7 when Paul has a group of believers, who had been baptized in John’s baptism, be baptized again so that they could receive the Holy Spirit.
Third, I never intended to come across as denying that the Holy Spirit acts as our seal. The scriptures speak very plainly about that. Besides the connection between the baptism of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, there are other passages that you mentioned (2 Cor. 1:21-22, Eph.1:13-14) which show that the Holy Spirit is a marker from God. The question then becomes when do we receive that marker? You said that “quite possibly” we receive this upon immersion. I would go a step farther and say that it is when we are immersed into the body of Christ that we receive it. Acts 2:38-40 & Acts 19:1-7 are great examples of this and then Paul pretty well says exactly this in 1 Cor. 12:12-13.
Fourth, there is no inference that “calling on the name of the Lord” refers to baptism, they are directly tied together in the passage. You mention Romans 10:23 as the textual proof for this, but the passage I cited in the article was Acts 22:16 which states, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” (There actually is no Romans 10:23). Romans 10:13 mentions calling on the name of the Lord, but once again when put into the context of the rest of Scripture (including Acts 22:16) this is tied to baptism, rather than a separate act. There is also still no mention of a “Sinner’s Prayer”. As we see in Acts 9 & Acts 22, Paul firmly believed in Christ & was devoutly praying, yet he was still in his sins until he was baptized (Acts 22:16). We also have to remember that Romans was written by Paul, who was the one told to “be baptized, calling on the name of the Lord,” in Acts, and he is writing to brethren who had already been baptized, therefore specifically mentioning this aspect would have been redundant in his mind, as they were tied together when he was taught in Acts 9. It is impossible to be in a right relationship with God while still in our sins. Belief & confession are necessary components to salvation, yet neither of them put us IN Christ (Romans 6:3-11), and neither of them remove our sins. Therefore, it is impossible to be saved before the point of baptism, because we are still in our sins.
Fifth, I completely agree with your assessment that all Scripture needs to be taken as a whole. 2 Peter 1:20-21 states, “knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Spirit.” This passage means that all Scripture is inspired by God, it’s not up to us to decide what it means, but rather to study God’s intent. Hearing, believing, repenting, and yes confessing, are all vitally important steps toward becoming right with God, they are no more, and no less, important than baptism. However as I said, they are no MORE important than baptism. We do not enter a saved relationship with Christ Jesus until we fulfill ALL he has commanded us, which would include baptism for the proper reasons, with a proper understanding.
Sixth, we are all degenerate sinners before the blood of Christ washes away our sins (Romans 3:23). However simply getting wet without the proper understanding accomplishes nothing. Being in a lost state does not mean that we cannot understand God’s will. The Jews in Acts 2 had personally crucified the son of God, yet Scripture tells us that their hearts were pricked as they cried out, “Men and brethren, what shall we do!” Acts 2:47-48. (As a side note, this was the perfect time for Peter to tell them to call on the name of the Lord, yet he told them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.) They were lost sinners, yet they understood the fact that they had sinned against God Almighty, and they responded with obedience when Peter gave them the message of salvation. Also, Acts 19: 1-6 is an example of those who had been baptized with an incomplete understanding, and the apostles re-baptized them in order for them to be in a right relationship with Christ and receive the Holy Spirit.
Sandy L
I don’t think the original post is saying that baptism alone saves. All components of scripture should be put together and just like you stated we must believe and confess. We must also repent. The article addresses baptism because all to often it is the missing ingredient that is left out. Just like a recipe if you have five ingredients and leave out one, the end result is compromised. As we all are to spread the message, the writer of the article is trying to point out that baptism is an essential ingredient to the recipe for salvation taught in the New Testament. Believe, confess, repent, and be baptized. If we believe, we will try to keep the commandments so belief sets it all in motion. If we do not believe we certainly won’t attempt to keep the commandments therefore nonbelievers will not be saved. But true believers should obey the commandments that lead to eternal life.
I believe there were some interesting and valid comments on both sides, and definitely that scripture should be taken as a whole, and in context . If the statement that scripture should be taken as a whole is true, I believe it adds support to the Biblical principle of baptism being an important part of salvation. That being said, in both cases, (as in baptism coming before or after the actual point of salvation), it is an act of obedience and commitment to God, and still a depiction of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. We would all agree God is the one who does the saving. Anytime we study scripture we should try to do it without bias in either direction and taken as a whole.
I did have an issue with the scripture Matt 7:21-23 in it’s application that not everyone who says to me “Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father in Heaven”. If you read it in context of the scriptures just before, it is referring to false teachers. People who say they are followers in word, and sometimes the appearance of deed, but aren’t actually by the fruit they bear in accordance to the will of the Father. Those people who do not fit that bill I think would not be categorized as the “workers of lawlessness” from verse 23 in context. As the Life Application Bible comments regarding those verses, basically, talk is not what counts but the way you walk is, the two have to match up. Saying the right words doesn’t always equate in reality of action with doing the right thing. to all of us, “stay in the Word!”
Hello Beth! You bring up some excellent points. However specifically in regards to your comments concerning Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus himself clarifies this for us in verse 21 when he states, “but the one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven.” Would false teachers fit into this category? Absolutely! However this would also apply to anyone who claims Christianity, yet refuses to obey the commandments found in Scripture. Specifically in regards to this discussion, this would include being baptized for the proper reasons and with the proper understanding.
Regarding the context of Matthew 7:21-23, the context actually begins back in Matthew 5:2 as all of this is still part of Christ’s “Sermon on the Mount” as we frequently refer to it today. Jesus expected his disciples to follow all of his teachings, and to do so with the right attitude. It can be broken down this way:
Matthew 5:1-20 address attitudes
Matthew 5:21-34 addresses actions without the proper attitude
And then in Matthew 7:1-29 he concludes with, once again, teaching about proper actions and attitudes.
Keeping all of this context in mind, teaching that this passage applies to those who only give lip service to their obedience to Christ, rather than following their statements with both correct attitudes and actions, is a fair use of the context.
You have written this so well. Of course baptism doesn’t save, but it puts one into a saved state. Romans 6. It’s ‘a like figure’. It is so hard to get a person to leave their thoughts, desires and traditions and go to HIS book to find HIS requirements. In anything else we have standards that we either live by or suffer the consequences. But with God it seems that many think He will adapt to our way. Yes, grace is what He gave when He sent His Son, but we need to accept that grace by being obedient to his word. Thanks SO much for the wonderful explanation and I will use your words to show better how to get ‘into’ Christ.
Thank you for the encouragement!
Baptism is not WHAT saves. It is an act of obedience of a believer. What saves? Hearing the Gospel, believing and repenting. Jesus said to the thief on the cross- today you will be with me in paradise. Baptism is work. Works do not “get you into Heaven.” Works are a result of a true Christian who wants to please God, obey Him, and do all things for His glory. After you hear and believe and turn your life over to Christ, you will want to be Baptized. BUT you shouldn’t run down to the Church in a panic thinking- I better get Baptized this very second or else…..Please don’t place baptism OVER and ABOVE what Jesus did on the cross.
Thank you very much for your comments, here are some scriptures that I would encourage you to look at closely.
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:15-16 ESV)
In this passage Jesus Himself states that baptism is clearly a part of what saves a person. It would be pointless for Jesus to say this if it had absolutely nothing to do with salvation. Here belief and baptism are directly tied together by Christ himself. If we truly believe in Christ, we will obey ALL of his commandments (John 14:15). I believe that we should take Jesus’ straightforward statement as He stated it.
Why would baptism be a part of salvation? Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV)
Yet how do we come to God the Father through Jesus?
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, 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. 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, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.” (1 Peter 3:18-22 ESV)
Baptism is a part of salvation because it is how we appeal to God for our good conscience through the resurrection of Christ. If we want to have a good conscience toward God, then baptism is the way that it happens according to the apostle Peter.
I also agree that works are not what gets one into heaven, that it is accomplished through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. However the scriptures would disagree with one point that you seem to be making. Baptism is not a work that is done by us, instead it is one that is done by God.
“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 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. 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…” (Colossians 2:8-13 ESV)
Our forgiveness of our trespasses is something that is done by God, through the resurrection of Christ, in the act of baptism. You see as we are baptized we re-enact Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. This is what allows us to be untied with Christ in a death like His, where we die to sin, and we are raised to walk in newness of life through faith. Baptism isn’t something that comes after we have “given our lives over to Christ,” instead it is how we do that.
Also by being baptized one is certainly NOT placing it “over and above” what Christ did on the cross, to the contrary, it is following in what He did on the cross and through the resurrection. To deny the necessity of baptism is to deny what Jesus did on the cross, as this is the point at which we contact the blood that He shed for us there.
As for the thief on the cross, this has been addressed in several comments. For a more in-depth look at this please see the article entitled, “Baptism Q & A Part 2”. The short answer is that when the thief died, clearly Jesus had not yet resurrected. Therefore at this point in time they were still under the Law of Moses. This would mean that the thief’s salvation is in no way tied to Christian salvation. One could not possibly be baptized into the death, burial & resurrection of Christ if he had not yet died, been buried, and resurrected.
Hi Steph, I have to agree with Lacey. One other point, if not mentioned, Christ was talking to the thief on the cross before He died and is resurrected. This is also commonly misunderstood. Even before the death, burial, and resurrection Christ had full authority to take whomever He chose to paradise. Always remember that while on earth Christ is 100% man and 100% God.