Why We Stress Baptism & Why It’s Not More Important Than the Other Aspects Of Salvation

Spiritual Matters

I have not encountered a religious body that believes in Christ that does not administer some form of what they would refer to as “baptism”.  What often is debated is the “when”, “why”, and “how” concerning baptism.  The truth is, the Bible teaches that there are many things that save us, and all of them have to be in effect to have salvation and it is very clear that (immersion: literally translated) baptism in water is essential.  We want to go to heaven, and we love the souls of all mankind and want them to come to a knowledge of the truth.  The Bible clearly teaches that we are saved by the following:

    • Belief – Acts 16:31 “31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” But God’s Word does not stop there.
    • Repentance – Acts 11:18 “18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” But God’s Word does not stop there.
    • Confession – Romans 10:9-10 “9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” But God’s Word does not stop there.
    • Grace – Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” But God’s Word does not stop there.
    • Mercy – Titus 3:5-7 “5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” But God’s Word does not stop there.
    • Hope – Romans 8:24 “24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?” But God’s Word does not stop there.
    • The Blood of Christ – Romans 5:9 “9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” But God’s Word does not stop there.
    • God – 2 Timothy 1:8-11 “8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 10 but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” But God’s Word does not stop there.
    • Jesus – Matthew 1:21 “21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” But God’s Word does not stop there.
    • Works – James 2:24 “24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” But God’s Word does not stop there.
    • Baptism – 1 Peter 3:21 “21 There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” But God’s Word does not stop there.

Being that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17), and The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16), it becomes clear that all of these New Testament verses apply to us today.  It is imperative for all mankind to understand that the Bible is harmonized, and does not contradict itself.  In order to find the true meaning of any single verse, we have to study the verse in context, and it must align with the rest of the teachings of the covenant which we live in.  Example: I don’t know of any denomination that teaches that we are saved by hope; and hope alone.  Yet, there are many denominations that teach that we are saved by “faith” or “belief” alone.  How then do they reconcile the rest of the verses listed above that so clearly teach a principle that is necessary for a person to be saved? There is but one possible answer: all of these must be present and in effect for salvation to be obtained.  If a person cannot be saved by hope only, logic can assume that they cannot be saved by faith only.

I would submit to the reader: that true biblical “faith” encompasses an obedience to God’s Word.  How do we know this?  Jesus clearly taught that if we love Him we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). How can a person truly “believe” in the God of the Bible, but not “believe” that His Word is absolute truth and that it applies to them?  True biblical faith is a belief that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He says He will do.  This faith also “believes” that we are saved by that which the Bible says we are saved.  The reason that baptism is “highlighted” so often is because it is the most commonly excluded portion of God’s plan of salvation by so many people.  Baptism is not more important nor does it supersede the other aspects of salvation.  Baptism is but one step, but it is an essential step, nonetheless.

For the honest bible student, the question becomes: From the list above what can be omitted?  The answer is clear.  None of it can be omitted.  The Old and New Testament both tell us not to add to or take away from Gods’ Word (Deuteronomy 4:2) & (Revelation 22:18-19). God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). His Word clearly teaches that He has done His part, and we must do ours.  We must:

  • Hear the Word of God (Romans 10:17)
  • Believe (Mark 16:15-16)
  • Confess Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10)
  • Repent of the sin in our life (Acts 17:30)
  • Be baptized for the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38)
  • Remain faithful (Revelation 2:10)

This is our part. 

This plan of salvation was made possible by:

  • God (2 Timothy 1:8-11)
  • Jesus (Matthew 1:21)
  • The Blood of Christ (Romans 5:9)
  • Mercy (Titus 3:5-7)
  • Grace (Ephesians 2:8-10)

This is God’s part.

Because of this plan of salvation; we can have:

  • Hope (Romans 8:24)

Thanks be to God that he sent His son to this earth to die on the cross for our sins that through Him we might have hope of an eternal life with Him.  (John 3:16) says “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  That true biblical belief will lead to willful obedience, if you truly believe.   God’s Word says in (2 Timothy 2:15) “15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  Honest bible students, will always seek to rightly divide the word of truth.

Answer for yourself:

  • Do all of these listed scriptures apply to me?
  • Am I willing to do everything that God requires of me in order to obtain the promises that He has offered?
  • Is all scripture inspired and given for a reason? (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

(Matthew 7:21-24) from the very mouth of our Lord says: “21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’”   

“I NEVER KNEW YOU…”