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.
When we are joined with the Body of Christ, we are joined to Christ Himself. Galatians 3:27 – 28: As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.” In baptism, we are clothed with Christ. We are joined to Him. Is baptism into Christ done by water or by the Holy Spirit? I think the answer is obvious. It is not water that brings us into a living relationship with Christ. It is the Holy Spirit. Nothing this life has to offer can transcend the glorious reality of being joined to Christ. The Christian message is not simply that Jesus died for us, but He also rose from the grave. He is alive today. He comes to dwell in the hearts of His people by faith. The Holy Spirit makes Jesus alive in our souls. (See Ephesians 3:17).
Again, saying that the water unites us with Christ is inaccurate. It is the Holy Spirit who creates that wonderful miracle. The miracle is invisible. Only the person saved knows the reality of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the heart. We can only see the outward act of water baptism. God is looking into the soul, and when He sees genuine faith, the Holy Spirit places us into the Body of Christ.
Can a person who believes in Jesus Christ be saved without water baptism? The Bible is crystal clear. We are saved by the grace of God and by Jesus Christ and through faith in Him alone. Notice these Scriptures, which speak only of faith, not water baptism. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8)
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 (John 3:16).
“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:18).
He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him (John 3:36).
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life (John 5:24).
And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:40).
Then Jesus cried out and said, “He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me (John 12:44).
To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43).
As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 9:33).
He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son (1 John 5:10).
These Scriptures are clear. Salvation is mentioned repeatedly, but there is never a word about water baptism. If water baptism were necessary for salvation, you would think it would have been mentioned in these references. We cannot say that it is water that joins us to Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who creates that incredible miracle by faith alone.
Can a person who believes in Jesus Christ be saved without water baptism? The answer is not a simple “Yes” or“No.” It depends on the circumstances. If baptism is not possible, one can be saved without water baptism. I think of a soldier who is mortally wounded and who cries out to Jesus for mercy. Is his faith sufficient to save him without water baptism? The above Scriptures say “Yes.” I think of an older adult who comes to faith late in life and cannot be baptized in water. Is he saved by faith alone, without baptism? The above Scriptures say “Yes.” We are saved by the grace of God, by Jesus Christ, and through faith in Him.
If we do not need water baptism to be saved, why baptize? It is a foolish question. Jesus commanded water baptism. End of discussion. But what is the purpose of water (ritual) baptism? It is an outward display of our faith in Jesus. Faith is invisible. In ritual baptism, we openly confess our faith in Christ. We are not ashamed to own Him openly.
Think of baptism in relationship to the Lord’s Supper. Is Holy Communion necessary for salvation? If water baptism saves us, does communion keep us saved? No, the bread and the cup are simple reminders of the suffering of our Savior. We must partake of the Lord’s Supper regularly, not as a means of staying saved but because Jesus commanded it. We are Christians born of the Spirit and want to obey Jesus. Communion is a ritual we practice to remember Jesus and His suffering. Water baptism is also a ritual. It does not save us but reminds us that we have died to the old life and plan to live a new life of faithfulness to our Savior. We cannot live that way without the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is received by faith alone.
To conclude, is water baptism necessary for salvation? Scripture says we are saved by faith alone. Faith brings the Holy Spirit into our lives. Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. We gladly accept water baptism as an outward expression of our invisible faith and willingness to obey Jesus's command. First comes Holy Spirit baptism in response to our faith, followed by water baptism, a visible expression of our inward faith. Spirit baptism is necessary if we are to be saved. Water baptism is necessary if we intend to obey Jesus and every Spirit baptized person wants to obey Jesus.
Suppose there is a person who says, “I believe in Jesus,” and is able to be baptized in water but refuses. Refusing to obey Jesus's command is a sign that true faith does not exist in that person. What about those who are taught by their church that water baptism is not necessary at all, and they obey the teachings of their church? The Salvation Army, for example, does not practice water baptism. Are they all doomed to hell? The more important question is whether they have true faith in Jesus. Water baptism is a command of Jesus and should be obeyed. Spirit baptism is the baptism that saves us.
