Is Baptism By Immersion Required For Salvation?

Why did Jesus ask to be baptized? It was plainly part of his earthly mission. Like early Jewish, God sent priests, such as Moses, Nehemiah and Daniel, Jesus was defining sin and teaching for benefit and behalf of the people. He was also endorsing John's ministry of Baptism. In addition, Jesus was identifying with those who were repenting. He was also setting a new Testament, Christian, example for his followers. He was foreshadowing his death, burial and resurrection. Jesus was declaring His ministry on earth.

John had devoted his life to preparing for the arrival of Jesus. He had focused all of his energy toward this moment. He was set upon obedience. Yet the very first thing Jesus asked him to do, John resisted. He felt unqualified. Do you feel unqualified to fulfill your mission from God? John felt unworthy even to unfasten the shoes of Jesus, yet Jesus said John was the greatest of all prophets (Luke 7:28).

Don't let your feelings of personal inadequacy hold you back from your God appointed mission to be Baptized. Salvation is by faith alone in Jesus Christ, and this salvation is not by works so that no man may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). So why do we receive water Baptism? Jesus commanded that every believer receive this as an outward sign of our changed heart (Matthew 28:18-20). Receiving water Baptism is an important step of obedience that welcomes us into the family of God and readies us to follow the Lord with our whole heart. It forms a wonderful testimony of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Since water Baptism is an act of obedience of every believer by our Lord Christ, we should not underestimate the importance doing it correctly and as close to how it was done in the Bible. When a believer knowingly rejects full immersion Baptism is that rebelling against the word of God? Against the Lord Who saved them?

But are there exceptions? The full submersion mode was used by the early Church for the first few centuries, with pouring reserved for occasions when immersion was impossible due to lack of sufficient water, and sprinkling used for individuals too sick or weak for either of the other methods. This situation, however, began to change fairly early and by the 13th century was actually reversed, with sprinkling the 'new' norm.

There are those who believe that all three modes are valid. Some point out that only in the most ritualistic view of Baptism can the amount of water be considered important. The immersion-only view, they say, appears absurd: What if one hair fails to be immersed? What if a finger or a hand? Where does one draw the line?

But the opposing argument can be made to appear absurd also: If a small amount of water is permissible, is one drop enough? How about no water at all, not a view to be laughed away, since the “Quakers” take this exact view? Therefore, the better approach is to realize that it is the general form of the act and the intention of those involved that matter, not the precise amount of water used. The issue still is: Shall we obey the command of Christ as He intended or shall we obey the command in a way that pleases us?