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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:
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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
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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
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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):
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| Does Water Baptism Save? A Biblical Refutation of Baptismal Regeneration |
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25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— 27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen
Romans 16:25-27
***Romans 6: “The baptism Paul is talking about in Romans 6 is REAL BAPTISM not RITUAL BAPTISM.” Can you believe that?!***
Of course I can! Otherwise it would read like THIS!
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into WATER were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into WATER: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Then there is this.
Galatians 2:
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
The co-joining of the believer WITH CHRIST is often mistaken for water baptism when it is the immersion of the believer into Christ. The same as when PAUL says we have BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST, yet there are no nail holes in my hands.
Why would Paul need to tell people who had been baptized what it was they were baptized in??
It wasn’t the Christians in Rome who invented the “REAL baptism, RITUAL baptism” nonsense. They already knew what baptism was. They didn’t need Paul to say, “Now let me be clear about WHICH baptism I’m talking about here.”
There aren’t two baptisms, only one.
***If Cornelius was saved before he was baptized, he was saved before he had faith.***
SAY WHAT!
10 There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band,
2 A devout man, and one that FEARED GOD with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
***The text of Acts 10 does not tell at what point the Holy Spirit fell upon them ...”***
Yes it does!
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH in him shall receive REMISSION OF SINS.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
But look! Peter called on the carpet!
ACTS 11:
2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.
4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying,( cut to chase)
13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
15 And as I BEGAN TO SPEAK, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
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.
17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
What Catholics seem not to grasp is that the Catechism of the Catholic Church is not scripture.
While there are over 3,000 references to Sacred Scripture, it does not take much reading of the Catechism to realize that Catholic doctrine is based on much more than Scripture. There are also references to Professions of Faith, Ecumenical Councils, Particular Councils and Synods, Pontifical Documents, Ecclesiastical Documents, Canon Law, Liturgy, and Ecclesiastical Writers.
I realize that this is contrary to those who hold that all truth that’s necessary for salvation and godliness is in Scripture. I see the truth in that belief and I respect those who hold that belief. I also see that Sacred Tradition brings so much more to our faith and is a means of bringing us into a closer relationship with God.
“Paul said that Christ did not send him to baptize. If baptism is essential to salvation, then Christ did not send him to save people (1 Corinthians 1:17).”
But then by your reading, Paul thanks God that he saved NONE OF THEM.
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Then let’s get technical! Which is it? Sprinkling? Pouring? lavering (rubbing water on the skin)? Immersion? Immersion backwards? Immersion forwards? One time? Three times? To follow Christ in baptism? or For remission of sins? Running water? Still water? The old Mikvah rules was running water.
http://www.haydid.org/ronimmer.htm
What about mormons? The same man who codified remission of sin immersion for the Campbellite church also wrote the same for the Mormons.
What about the Aryan JWs?
Verse 15 is the 2nd half of a sentence. It explains the 1st half in verse 14.
The first couple of chapters of I Corinthians are addressing a problem in that church: claiming to be of men rather than of Christ. If Paul had baptized them all, they might’ve decided to call themselves a church of Paul! (Sorta like Wesleyan churches, Lutheran churches, etc.)
He goes on to list two questions that must be answered “Yes” before anyone can say, “I am of Paul” (or Apollos, or anyone else):
1. Was Paul crucified for you?
2. Were you baptized into the name of Paul?
If you can’t answer Yes to these two questions, then you can’t say “I am of Paul.”
The questions we need to ask are:
1. Was Christ crucified for you?
2. Were you baptized into the name of Christ?
If you can’t answer Yes to these two questions, then you can’t say “I am of Christ.”
***Where does that crucifixion take place? ***
The moment you TRULY believe, not superficial belief as Simon the Sorcerer found out. Notice he was baptized but not saved because his heart was not right in that matter.
And notice those baptized DID NOT receive the Holy Spirit as Cornelius did, BEFORE he was baptized.
ACTS 8:
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
Simon the Sorcerer’s faith was as that of the seed that fell in rocky and dry ground.
Why would anyone want to refute Baptism. I suggest another website for more accurate information.
A Baptism is valid only with water AND the Holy Spirit.
John 3:5
Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
That was Baptism of Desire.
Obviously thew water didn’t “take” with Simon the Sorcerer.
Again, Cornelius received the Holy Spirit when he believed, no hands on needed, whereas these Samaritans didn’t receive it till they had hands on from the Apostles.
I’ve read that at the first God had an orderly method to bring salvation. First Jerusalem, then Judea, then Samaria, then to the uttermost parts of the world.
Yet we read that the Apostles preached to “none but the Jews only.” for a while. then the word came to Samaria, then St Paul was called to preach to the Gentiles afar off.
In each case it was according to God’s timetable how they would receive the Holy Spirit.
Most twisted to mean something they need it to.
>>it does not take much reading of the Catechism to realize that Catholic doctrine is based on much more than Scripture.<<
No kidding! Most of which the apostles never taught.
Most twisted to mean something they need it to.
If that is what you want to believe . . .
I pray for you.
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