Is Baptism By Immersion Required For Salvation?

The problem with these restrictions are that they are in conflict with the Bible. Clearly, the Bible places believing in “Christ for salvation” and “Baptism” in collaboration. They can be separated, but are usually not.

Acts chapter 2, verse 41, 3,000 men were baptized after believing on the first day of the Christian church. Verses 38 and 39 make it clear that this is the way that it will always be done. That is, all people who accept Christ as their savior will come to Him in this way.

Acts 8:26-39 We know where this road from Jerusalem to Gaza is. Verse 26 terms it a “desert.” The only water there was oasis water. This means that the eunuch and Philip climbed down into the people's drinking water to do this. Apparently, Philip and the eunuch did not think it could wait until later! Notice they did not take a handful of water and “sprinkle” the eunuch to keep him hygienic. The Bible states that all Philip did was “preach Jesus to him” (verse 35) and then the eunuch said that he wanted to be baptized (verse 36). This means that the teaching's of Jesus includes the need to be baptized.

Acts 9:18 after this encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road, Saul (later renamed Paul) decided to accept Jesus—and was baptized.

Acts 10:47,48 Cornelius and those with him were commanded to be baptized. Thus becoming the first non-Jewish converts to Christianity.

Acts 16:13-15 Lydia and her household “believed” and were baptized.

Acts 16:16-34 The Philippians jailer “believed” with his household and they were baptized—and this was in the middle of the night!

Galatians 3:26,27 “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

Ephesians 4:4-6 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one Baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

Yet, people ask "is Baptism required for salvation". Some say 'Yes!', some say 'No!' I ask which kind of Baptism are you referring to? My belief is there are two forms of Baptism, one of the Holy Spirit and one of man and water. What does the Bible say?

In Mark 16:16, Jesus declares that, "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." Does this mean that Baptism is a requirement for salvation? This verse is often misunderstood. Some take this verse to mean Man's Baptism by water is required for salvation, thus establishing a human 'work' as a prerequisite for salvation. Plainly, announcing any human work as a necessary requirement for salvation contradicts the clear and consistent teaching of the New Testament.

This is perhaps best summed up by Paul in Romans 4:5: But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. And Romans. 10:9-10: that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.