Baptism And Salvation

SALVATION AND BAPTISM

Warsaw Christian Church, Richard Bowman, Pastor

It has been brought to my attention that there is some misunderstanding about the relationship between salvation and baptism. I hope to clarify the issue. I believe it will help to distinguish between two types of baptism in the New Testament. There is a monumental difference between REAL baptism and RITUAL baptism. Real baptism involves the Holy Spirit. The New Testament describes His drawing us to Christ as a “baptism.” I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11). See also Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; and Acts 1:4-5. John draws a contrast between water baptism and Spirit baptism. When we see the word “baptism” (Greek, baptizo) in the New Testament, we must always ask whether the reference is to Spirit baptism or ritual (water) baptism.

Is baptism necessary for salvation? Certainly, Spirit baptism is essential. When we come to faith in Jesus, He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. There is no true Christianity apart from the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His (Romans 8:9). Paul is clear. If we do not have the Holy Spirit, we are not true Christians. When you ask, “Is baptism necessary for salvation?” Spirit baptism is absolutely essential. What about ritual or water baptism?

There is wide disagreement on this subject, and I accept those who disagree with me as true Christians. It is like the doctrine of the Second Coming of Jesus. Christians do not agree on that subject either. I want to state my position clearly but I also want to approach this subject with a loving attitude. I certainly do not wish to damn those who disagree with me.

Let’s spend some time on water baptism. Who should be baptized? The command to baptize is found in Matthew 28:19: “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.” Notice what follows in Matthew 28:20 …and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Both baptisms are implied in this verse. We are commanded to baptize, but we cannot baptize in the Holy Spirit. Only Jesus can do that. We can only baptize in water. But Spirit baptism is also implied in the text.

Two things seem clear from this passage. First, those baptized are also to be taught the commands of Jesus. Thus, those baptized must be able to learn and understand. They must be of an age where they appreciate what they are doing. They must be able to comprehend the things Jesus commanded. Any person who can hear and understand the teachings of Jesus is a proper subject for baptism. We can summarize by stating that those who have faith in Jesus Christ are the appropriate subjects for water baptism.

Water baptism is sometimes relegated to a minor role in churches today. However, we should notice that it is mentioned in the same breath as proclaiming the Gospel and teaching the commands of Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ commanded baptism. That should convince us that water baptism is very important. Faith is invisible. We cannot look into the heart of another and see the presence or absence of true faith. Therefore, Jesus gave this outward sign whereby we make our invisible faith in Jesus visible to others. The one baptized in water declares publicly their belief in Jesus. In water baptism, we show that we are not ashamed of the Gospel but willingly obey the command of our Lord.

For centuries, the church has been divided on the method of water baptism. Historically, our church has practiced baptism by immersion. Other churches prefer sprinkling or pouring as the method. This church has an open membership policy. This means that we accept all methods of water baptism as acceptable. The different techniques practiced are revealed in the meaning of the Greek word “Baptizo.” The translators of Scripture were unsure how to render it in English, so they changed the Greek letters into English ones. There are two primary meanings of the Greek word. First, it is the common Greek word for “immersion or submersion.” This is why our Church prefers baptism by immersion. The Greek word also means “to come under the influence; to be changed.” This meaning is based on the fact that when the Greeks dyed a piece of cloth, they placed the material in dye. The dye totally changed the fabric. A white cloth becomes blue, etc. Some churches focus on this meaning of baptism. They stress that it is not the amount of water that is important but the fact that we are joined to Christ and transformed.