Does Water Baptism Save?

Middletown Bible Church ^ | 3/5/15 | Middletown Bible Church

[RaceBannon]

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Does Water Baptism Save?

 

A Biblical Refutation of Baptismal Regeneration

 
 

Baptismal Regeneration is the teaching which says that water baptism is an essential requirement for salvation.  According to this teaching, if a person desires to be born again (born into God's family) then he must be baptized in water.  Those holding to this doctrine teach that apart from water baptism, a person cannot be saved, cannot be born again, cannot see the kingdom, and cannot enter heaven. 

 

 

Introduction:

The following was written to some friends in the Church of Christ (a church that believes that water baptism is necessary for salvation):

Dear Friends,

I wanted to write to you concerning some of the things we talked about, especially concerning salvation and baptism. I’m sure that you would agree that there is no more important subject than that of God’s salvation and how a person can obtain this salvation. Our eternal salvation hinges upon whether or not we understand what God has revealed about the terms of salvation. Long ago the question was asked by a man who was in desperate need: “WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?” (Acts 16:30). How we need to see what God’s answer is to that all-important question! The issues at stake are nothing less than life and death, heaven and hell.

I greatly appreciate the desire of you both to follow what the Bible says and what the New Testament teaches, rather than to follow traditionalism and modern day teachings which in most cases have departed from the true teachings found in God’s Word. This is my desire as well. There is a great departure from the faith in these days, and our only hope is to go back to the Bible, which is the very Word of God.

I’m going to share several things from the Bible, and I hope that you will give this letter careful thought and that you might search the Scriptures daily to see whether these things be so (compare Acts 17:11). I’m not asking you to take me at my word. I simply want you to take God at His Word and receive whatever He has said as absolute truth. The only question we must ask is this: “What saith the Scriptures?” (Romans 4:3).

Let us now go to the Scriptures to see what the Bible teaches about salvation, about what a person must do to be saved and about the relationship between salvation and water baptism.

1. The Bible teaches that to be saved a person must “BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.”

In Acts 16:30 the Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas this crucial question: “What must I do to be saved?” What answer did these men give to this needy jailer? Did they say, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be baptized and thou shalt be saved”?  If baptism is necessary for salvation, then why is nothing said about baptism in Acts 16:31? It’s true that this man was baptized (verse 33), and yet this does not change the fact that Acts 16:31 says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” If water baptism was a condition of salvation, then this would have been the perfect place for Paul to have said so.

2. The Bible teaches throughout the New Testament that FAITH and FAITH ALONE is necessary for salvation.

I would urge you to read carefully and prayerfully the following verses of Scripture:

 

 

John 1:12-13 John 3:15 John 3:16 John 3:18 John 3:36 John 5:24 John 6:35 John 6:40 John 6:47 John 7:38-39 John 11:25-26 John 20:31 Acts 2:21 Acts 10:43

Acts 11:17 Acts 13:38-39 Acts 15:11 Acts 16:31 Acts 20:21 Romans 1:16 Romans 3:22 Romans 3:26 Romans 3:28 Romans 3:30 Romans 5:1 Romans 10:9 Romans 10:11 Romans 10:13

1 Corinthians 15:1-2 Galatians 2:16 Galatians 3:2-9 Galatians 3:14 Galatians 3:24 Galatians 3:26 Ephesians 2:8-9 2 Thessalonians 2:10 2 Thessalonians 2:12 1 Timothy 4:10 2 Timothy 3:15 Titus 3:8 1 John 5:1 1 John 5:11-13

In all of these passages FAITH is mentioned as being essential for salvation. In none of these passages is water baptism mentioned. If baptism is a necessary part or an essential part of salvation, then why is nothing said about baptism in these passages? If a man must be baptized to be saved, then why do all these verses fail to say so? For example, in Acts 10:43 why didn’t Peter say, “whosoever believeth in Him and is baptized shall receive remission (forgiveness) of sins”?

3. EPHESIANS 2:8-9 is a passage which God has given to answer this key question: HOW IS A PERSON SAVED? This important doctrinal verse says nothing about water baptism.

 

How is a person saved? “For by grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” Why is there no mention made of baptism? Why didn’t Paul say, “For by grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH AND BAPTISM . . .”?

4. Water baptism is a WORK (something that man does to please God), and yet the Bible teaches again and again that a person is not saved by works.

Here are some examples:

 

Titus 3:5—“Not by WORKS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS which WE HAVE DONE, but according to His mercy He saved us.”

 

2 Timothy 1:9—“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, NOT ACCORDING TO OUR WORKS.”

 

Ephesians 2:8-9—“For by grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.”

 

Romans 3:28—“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith WITHOUT THE DEEDS OF THE LAW.”

 

Romans 4:5—“But to him that WORKETH NOT, but BELIEVETH on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

In other words, salvation is not DOING something; it is KNOWING someone (John 17:3). Salvation is not based on what we might do; it is based on what Christ has ALREADY DONE (John 19:30). Salvation is not TRYING; it is TRUSTING (John 6:47). If salvation could be earned by anything we do, then Christ’s death was a waste (Galatians 2:21). Salvation is not WORKING; it is RESTING on the WORK of Another (Romans 4:5). Good works are not what a man DOES in order to be SAVED; good works are what a SAVED MAN DOES (Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-8). God’s holiness utterly condemns the best man (Romans 3:10-23); God’s grace freely justifies the worst (1 Timothy 1:15)!
 

The Roman Catholic Church also teaches a form of Baptismal Regeneration.  The following is taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (1994):

Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the church and made sharers in her mission:  "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word."

 

This sacrament signifies and actually brings about the birth of water and the Spirit without which no one "can enter the kingdom of God."    [Sections 1213, 1215]

 

Baptism is necessary for salvation [Section 1257].

 

 

 

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The Middletown Bible Church 349 East Street Middletown, CT 06457 (860) 346-0907

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[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

And yet, if YOU really followed what Paul did you would be taking vows, shaving heads offering Temple sacrifices.

In fact, JAMES, whom so many of you seem to grasp like a straw talked PAUL into taking some men to the Temple and “be at charges with them” (Pay for their animal sacrifices)

ACTS 21:
18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto JAMES; and all the elders were present.

Acts 21:24
Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

Paul got a free trip to ROME out of that escapade!

[CynicalBear]

>>And what is that antitype that saves us?<<

Didn't you read the verse? Baptism is the antitype.

1 Peter 3:21 also to which an antitype doth now save us -- baptism, (not a putting away of the filth of flesh, but the question of a good conscience in regard to God,) through the rising again of Jesus Christ,

[LearsFool]

Yes, baptism is the antitype which saves us.

See, that’s not hard to understand, is it?

[LearsFool]

And yet, if YOU really followed what Paul did you would be taking vows, shaving heads offering Temple sacrifices.

For the forgiveness of sins??? Your desperation is showing, my FRiend.

You even quoted the verse that tells us why that seemed a prudent thing for Paul to do.

If you want to argue against baptism any more, just say so. But don't change the subject and pretend the circumstance in Acts 21 has any bearing on the question at hand.

[CynicalBear]

>>See, that’s not hard to understand, is it?<<

I think you need to study what the word antitype means. It's not the baptism that saves us.

[Iscool]

You say there are two baptisms. Paul says there's only one. Who should we believe?

Paul showed you...We posted the scripture...John the Baptist baptized with water...That wasn't sufficient for the church age...Some of those same people were baptized with the Holy Ghost, where there was no water involved...

Paul disagrees with you: "with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Rom. 10:10)

That's not confession to Jesus...That's confession OF Jesus...

Repentance is belief.

Where did you read THAT in the Bible?

Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

μετανοέω
metanoeō
met-an-o-eh'-o
From G3326 and G3539; to think differently or afterwards, that is, reconsider (morally to feel compunction): - repent.

Repent is a change of mind, not a change of action...The change in mind might ultimately lead to a change in action...Turn from the world...Turn to Jesus...Trust in Jesus...

[Iscool]

So you say. But the apostle Peter says baptism saves us.

Do you believe I Peter 3:21?

But it's not water baptism...It is the Spiritual baptism he's referring to...It is the 'belief' (the answer of a good conscience toward God) which results in the indwelling of the Holy Ghost...That's the baptism that saves us...

Act_11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

[LearsFool]

If you don’t want to believe Peter, then don’t.

[Iscool]

And that baptism has nothing to do with water. How do you know?

Because John baptized with water and Jesus baptizes with the Holy Ghost...

Some people received the Holy Ghost without water baptism by repenting (believing on Jesus)...And of course some were baptized with water and did not receive the Holy Ghost...Showing that water has nothing to do with receiving the Holy Ghost...

[LearsFool]

Paul showed you...We posted the scripture...John the Baptist baptized with water...

And how many baptisms are there now? You say two, Paul says one. I'll stick with Paul. You don't have to if you don't want to.

That's confession OF Jesus...

That's what I was asking about.

Repent is a change of mind, not a change of action...

You claimed repentance was belief. It's not.

[CynicalBear]

>>If you don’t want to believe Peter, then don’t.<<

Oh, I believe what Peter wrote. I just don't believe the wrong interpretation the Catholic Church and others try to inject.

[LearsFool]

You’ve got a different version than the Bible has in Acts 8 and 19. That’s how you end up with more baptisms than Paul says there are.

[LearsFool]

Act_11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

Do you know who Jesus was talking to when He said that? I don't think you do, or you would understand the significance of what happened to Cornelius, and why Peter had to go all the way back to Pentecost to find a similar case.

And you wouldn't have too many baptisms in your thinking.

[swampfox101]

Paul did just as Christ commanded all of us to do....!

“The Great Commission

In Galilee (Matthew 28:16-20; Mark 16:15-18)

While in Galilee, the eleven apostles met with Jesus on a mountain where Jesus as previously told them to go. The eleven worshiped him, but even at this late time, Matthew mentions that some still had doubts. A few commentators wonder if this meeting was attended by more than just the eleven and might have been the meeting of 500 mentioned in I Corinthians 15:6. If so, they then explain the doubters as being among the 500 disciples. More likely, however, is the mentioning of their doubts is to let us know that these were honest men who were not easily pull into a false scheme. That they had become convinced by the day of Pentecost shows the strength of the evidence that they witnessed.

Jesus declared that all authority has now been given to him, both on earth and in heaven; thus fulfilling Psalms 8:6 and Daniel 7:13-14. Paul also talks about Jesus’ authority in I Corinthians 15:27-28, Ephesians 1:20-23, and Philippians 2:9-11. This isn’t limited authority, but absolute and complete authority over all the works of God.

From that position of authority, Jesus commissions the disciples to do the task he had been preparing them to accomplish. They were to go into all the world and make disciples of Jesus from all the nations (Isaiah 52:10; Romans 10:18; Colossians 1:23). This would be done by baptizing them with the authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit – the full authority of the entire Godhead. Such an absolute command based on such authority ought to make everyone wonder why some declare baptize to be unnecessary. A person who believes and is baptized – two equal conditions to be met – would be saved, but a failure in just one, such as a lack of belief would result in condemnation.

Signs would be given to these disciples so that those hearing them would see evidence that their teaching was from God. With Jesus’ authority they would be able to cast out demons (Acts 16:16-18), speak in new languages (Acts 2:4), can survive handling serpents (Acts 28:3-6), won’t be poisoned, and heal those who are sick (Acts 5:15-16).

These new disciples are then to be taught all the things that Jesus had taught them. One Christian passing on his knowledge to the next generation of Christians (II Timothy 2:2). The emphasis is on what Jesus taught and not on what the disciples thought. It isn’t teaching for knowledge alone, but instructions in how to live in accordance to those teachings (James 1:22-25).

Jesus promises all his disciples, not just the ones with him then, but also those who would come after them, that he would be with them throughout the rest of earth’s history (Isaiah 43:2; Matthew 18:20; Revelation 1:18).

In Jerusalem (Luke 24:44-49)

While many similar themes are touched upon in Luke’s account as those found in Matthew and Mark, there is enough differences to cause one to believe this took place at another time and location. Verse 49 leads us to conclude that this event took place in Jerusalem. Whether it took place before or after his appearance in Galilee is not easily determined. But, it also doesn’t make any difference in understanding the duties laid upon the disciples by Jesus.

Jesus explains to the disciples that while he was with them, he had told them what must happen for the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning him. There were prophecies concerning the Messiah in all parts of the Old Testament, in the Law, the Prophets, and in the Psalms. He then went through the Scriptures, as he did with the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, to help them understand the Scriptures. He concluded that thus it was written and thus it was necessary for him to have suffered, die, and rise from the dead three days later.

But those same prophecies mean that the teaching of repentance and remission of sins must be preached to the whole world, starting in Jerusalem (Psalm 22:27; Isaiah 49:6; Jeremiah 31:34; Micah 4:2; Malachi 1:11). The disciples were witnesses of these things and, thus, would be the ones to carry the message of salvation to the world.

Once again Jesus reminds them that he would be sending the promised Holy Spirit to them (John 14:16-17, 26). Therefore, it was necessary for them to wait in Jerusalem until the Spirit came (Isaiah 44:3).”

[Iscool]

The eunuch in Acts 8 wanted to stop and get wet. Makes ya wonder what it was Philip said when he "preached unto him Jesus."

Perhaps you wonder because you read your catechism as the 'bible'...We don't have to wonder what Philip taught just by reading the Eunuch's response...

Act 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Act 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

That's when the Eunuch received the Spiritual baptism...When he no longer needed a man to teach him...And THEN, he got wet...

This is a very important verse...Monumental I guess you could say...

First, it proves your current pope lied when he said it is not a requirement to believe in Jesus to be a (Catholic) Christian...Or something close to that effect...And secondly, this eliminates any possibility of babies being baptized...

If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest...

[Iscool]

I never said that. What Jesus said is that "he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved."

Somehow they convinced you that baptism means water...It doesn't...It means immersion...

Baptism doesn't mean water...
Water doesn't mean baptism...
Washing doesn't mean water...

One good way to know that is,,,they are all spelled differently...

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***You even quoted the verse that tells us why that seemed a prudent thing for Paul to do. **

Do you have a problem that “by works a man is justified” JAMES, the leader of the Jerusalem CHRISTIAN Church telling Paul to go offer sacrifices in the Temple? WHY were the Jerusalem Christians still offering animal sacrifices!

And if I wanted to change the subject I would mention that other bugbear (gasp)INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC or kitchens in the church building or a half dozen other doctrines that separate five little Campbellite churches in this area.

Quite a few web pages point to Nicander (200BC) writing of making pickles by plunging, and removing(bapto) into boiling water, then Baptizing(Baptizo) them in vinegar.

St Paul states: 1Corinthians 12:13:
For by one Spirit are we all baptized (baptizo) into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Again, water baptism is still after the fact that the person is saved. Same as Cornelius was saved before his in and out water baptism.

.

[LearsFool]

Baptism doesn't mean water...
Water doesn't mean baptism...
Washing doesn't mean water...

Is that a fact? Too bad you weren't in the chariot with the Ethiopian eunuch. You could've straightened out poor deluded Philip and kept the eunuch dry!

Of course if you had been there, he would've been on the road to hell instead of "on his way rejoicing."

[LearsFool]

Again, water baptism is still after the fact that the person is saved.

In Mark 16:15-16, Jesus said the preaching of the gospel would sort people into two categories: the saved and the damned.

So here's a simple question for you: This person YOU say is saved without baptism, which category does JESUS say is he in?

Who should people trust, you or Jesus?

Peter says baptism saves us, but you say it doesn't. Peter says baptism is for the remission of sins.

Who should people trust, you or Jesus' apostle Peter?

Paul says baptism is where the old man, the slave of sin is crucified with Christ, and the new man, the free man is raised with Him. He says that to be "of Christ" requires being baptized into Christ.

Who should people trust, you or Jesus' apostle Paul?

It's not that the gospel is hard to understand. Some people just don't believe it. They're in the 2nd category.

[CynicalBear]

>>Peter says baptism is for the remission of sins.<<

The Greek word translated "for" means "because of". It does not mean it causes forgiveness of sins. If I say the guy went to jail for murder doesn't mean he went to jail to commit murder.