Objections to the Essentiality of Baptism for Salvation
by Abraham Smith
The Bible is very clear in its teaching on baptism’s role in our salvation. It is an act of obedience that is required of us by God “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). The Bible does not teach that baptism is “an outward sign of inward grace.” Neither does the Bible teach the doctrine of “baptismal regeneration” which says that baptism is the only thing involved in our salvation. There are other conditions of pardon, which are faith, repentance, and confession of Christ (Romans 10:9,10; Luke 13:3).
We do not have the right to question what the Lord demands. We must be obedient according to the instruction to Samuel, “Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears” (I Samuel 3:9), and obedient like Jesus who said, “not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). If we want to do the will of the Lord, we will submit to the teaching of the Bible by being baptized for the reason that the Bible gives.
However, there are some of us who still have reservations and objections to the teaching of such passages as Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16. In addition to these passages, Romans 6:3-4 and Galatians 3:26-27 teach that scriptural baptism puts one into Christ and 1 Peter 3:21 says baptism doth also now save us. Let’s examine some of the most common objections people have to the essentiality of baptism to salvation:
“The Bible says that we are not saved by works (Eph. 2:8,9; Rom. 11:6; Titus 3:5). If baptism is essential to salvation, salvation would be of works.”
We are no more saved by works than a man with a broke back, broken legs, and down in a deep well could save himself by his own actions. But someone might drop down a rope to him with a hook on the end with instructions for him to hook it to his belt and they would pull him out. If he “obeys” their instructions, could he “boast” that by his own actions he had “saved” himself? Of course not! But was his obedience essential to his “salvation” from the well? Yes! Even so, we do not earn our salvation when we obey God. But obedience is clearly essential to man’s salvation (Hebrews 5:9; II Thessalonians 1:7-8).
“We are saved by grace through faith. It is a gift of God. Gifts are free. If baptism is required to be saved, then salvation is no longer a gift.”
Gifts are free but our reception of them is often conditional upon things that we must do in accepting them. For instance, I read the writings of a preacher who having endorsed the above objection, said, “I have some free literature I want to send....All you need do to receive your free literature is fill out the decision form on the following page and mail it to me.” But we cannot receive this “free gift” until we “fill out the decision form” and “mail it.” If he and others can see that though his gift is free yet there are conditions to be met (”fill out the decision form” and “mail it”) , then why is it so difficult to see that God’s gift of salvation is also free but there is the condition of obedience that must be met which includes baptism “for the remission of sins”?
“The thief on the cross was saved without being baptized.”
Those who make this statement do not know whether the thief was baptized previously by John or not (Mark 1:4-5). We might as well contend that Moses, Noah, and others (who lived and died before Jesus’ statements of Mark 16:15-16) were saved without the baptism that is “in the name of Christ.” Noah and Moses were not required to be baptized in the name of Christ (in essence by the authority of Christ, Matthew 28:18-20). But today, we are required!
However, those who lived before Jesus’ death were required to be obedient to be saved. A rich young ruler came running to the Lord and asked, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” What did Jesus tell him, believe only? No, but He said to him, “You know the commandments: “Do not commit adultery,’ “Do not murder,’ “Do not steal,’ “Do not bear false witness,’ “Do not defraud,’ “Honor your father and your mother”” (Mark 10:17-19). In like manner, we must be obedient also in order to inherit eternal life.
“On many occasions, Jesus told individuals that their faith saved them. He did not say their baptism saved them.”
Neither did He say “your faith independent of obedience saved you.” No one denies that we are saved by faith. The issue is by faith when are we saved? The answer is seen in the great chapter of faith, Hebrews 11. Saving faith is illustrated by several examples which includes Noah (Hebrews 11:7) and the fall of the walls of Jericho (Hebrews 11:30). Of Noah it is said by faith he “prepared an ark for the saving of his household” Noah was saved by faith and the walls of Jericho fell by faith, after they were obedient. Even so, our faith will not save us until we complete our obedience in baptism (I Peter 3:21).
“If you believe baptism is essential to salvation, then baptism is your saviour and not Christ.”
If that is the case, then we can say of those who walked around the walls of Jericho that “walking” was their saviour and not the Lord! When Noah prepared an ark for the saving of his household, was the ark his saviour or the Lord? This objection is simply absurd “reasoning.”
“What if an honest man, who had heard the gospel and believed it, was on his way to be baptized but a stick fell on his head and killed him? Would not this example demonstrate that baptism is not essential?”
What if the honest man was on his way to hear about Christ and a stick fell on his head and killed him before he had a chance to hear and believe? Would this “example” demonstrate that faith is not essential to salvation? We should not determine the teaching of the Bible by “examples” conjured up within our imagination! Let us trust with all our hearts what the Lord said in his word about baptism and “lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).
“There are many passages like Romans 10:9,10 which tells us what to do to be saved but say nothing about baptism.”
And there are “many” such passages like Romans 10:9-10 which say nothing about repentance. Is repentance therefore not essential because it is not specifically mentioned? Of course not. We must accept every conditional term of salvation taught in every passage.
“The meaning of Acts 2:38 is that we are baptized ‘because’ our sins are already remitted. That is what the word ‘for’ means in that verse.”
If that is the meaning of the word “for” (”eis” in the Greek), then none of the hundreds of scholars throughout the ages knew it because none of them have translated “eis” as “because of”!
In Matthew 26:28, Jesus said His blood “is shed for many for the remission of sins.” The phrase “for the remission of sins” is the same in the Greek and English. Whatever it means in Matthew 26:28 is what it means in Acts 2:38. How could the Holy Spirit have made that any plainer? Is it possible that Jesus shed his blood “because” we already have the remission of sins? Of course not!
“Cornelius received the Holy Spirit before he was baptized, thus he must have been saved before he was baptized (Acts 10:44-48).”
If Cornelius was saved before he was baptized, he was saved before he had faith. Peter began preaching the message of salvation in Acts 10:34 ending in Acts 10:43. The text tells us that while he spoke those words the Holy Spirit fell upon them. The text of Acts 10 does not tell at what point the Holy Spirit fell upon them but only “while Peter was still speaking these words.” However, in Acts 11 where “Peter explained...in order from the beginning” what had happened in Acts 10, we read how he was told by Cornelius that an angel had instructed him to send for Peter “who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:14). Let us pause to digest this. Cornelius was to hear “words by which you and all your household will be saved.” Then Peter said, “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning” (Acts 11:15). So the Holy Spirit fell upon them “as I began to speak” says Peter. So Cornelius had not heard the words of salvation at the point when the Holy Spirit fell upon him and his household.
Someone may ask, “Why was the gift of the Holy Spirit poured out on the Gentiles before conversion?” Answer: To persuade the Jews that the Gentiles should receive the same salvation as the Jews received. Those Jews who did not believe that Gentiles could receive the gospel had to be convinced by miracle that Gentiles could be saved through Jesus Christ the same as the Jews who obeyed the gospel. Please read Acts 10:44-48; 11:2, 3, 15-18.
Peter commanded these Gentiles “to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” And we must bear in mind that baptism “in the name of the Lord” is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).
“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).”
The text refutes the above objection rather than supporting it. Paul’s statement simply reflects that the act of baptizing was not the primary thing he was sent to do. He did baptize some, but much like Jesus, others did the baptizing.
Paul criticized some for saying they were of Paul. He asked, “Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” In order for them to belong to Paul, they would need to answer “yes” to Paul’s questions. This means that in order for us to belong to (be “of”) Christ, Christ must have been crucified for us and we must be baptized in His name (I Corinthians 1:12,13).
“Before I was baptized, one night, when I was praying, I felt God’s presence as he spoke to my heart. Right then I knew I was saved.”
Such an objection is contrary to the teaching of I Peter 1:22. It says, “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart...” We only know that we are saved by knowing we have “have purified your souls in obeying the truth.” I John 2:4 says, “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.”
How we feel does not prove anything about our salvation (Proverbs 14:12). Our feelings are a product of what we believe. If we believe the wrong things, we feel the wrong things. Jacob erroneously believed his son Joseph was dead (Genesis 37:26-27,31-35). Thus he had sorrow in his heart. In like manner, if we erroneously believe that salvation is obtained in any other way than what we read in Acts 2:38 and other passages, then our feeling of salvation rests upon that error and not the truth we need to obey.
Perhaps there is someone who, upon reading this message, may have sorrow in recognizing he has not complied with the conditions of obedience taught in the Bible. That person may be like I was many years ago. I had previously asked Jesus to come into my heart. I “felt” at that time He did. I had been unscripturally baptized believing that I was already saved. But when I learned the truth, I “obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine” (Romans 6:16-17). It was through my obedience to that “form of doctrine” that I was freed from sin. Part of that obedience was being baptized “for the remission of sins” which put me in Christ Jesus. That is what the Bible says (Romans 6:3; Acts 2:38). When we do this, we will have the joy of salvation that rests upon truth and not emotions.
It is not my fault that many religious leaders are not teaching these precepts taught in the Bible. That is to their shame! It is important to teach who Jesus is. But it is equally important to teach and follow what He says (Matthew 7:21).
WRONG!! God even came down and hooked us up Himself. An example would be God's covenant with Abraham. God put Abraham to sleep and acted on behalf of Abraham in that Covenant. You could have saved yourself a lot of typing just by studying scripture.
***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.
“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.
These issues should not be so difficult for any of us. Seeing you are well versed in Holy Scriptures, I will outline some Biblical facts. If you see I missed something let me know.
We know from the preponderance of the Biblical evidence one is saved by God’s Grace through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We also know from the preponderance of the Biblical evidence we are justified by faith.
We do know Paul commented that he did baptize people but that he was sent to preach the Gospel and not to baptize.
From that statement we can conclude that water baptism is not specifically the Gospel message.
We know the Gospel message Paul outlined in 1 Corinthians 15 was the same Gospel preached by all the apostles. Of which Paul outlines the Gospel message is Christ crucified, died and Risen (praise God!).
We know from Christ’s own lips that “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.”
Expanding on the above we have Paul in Romans 8 telling us “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
The NT witness, however, also tells us that those who heard and believed the above also got in some form of body of water and were baptized. I agree one cannot escape the FACT that those who “were cut to the heart” (Acts 2) believing the Gospel presented to them were baptized that day without hesitation or theological debate.
Now why do we have such controversy here? I think it is because some see baptism as a human ‘work of righteousness.’ It is not because it is commanded as some will say; but I say as with those on Pentecost those who are “cut to the heart” with the offering of the Gospel of Grace, are baptized.
I’m sure you nor anyone else proclaiming Christ as Lord and savior believe the actual water or one who is the baptizer have any mysterious salvific qualities or ‘elements’ involved. We know from the preponderance of the Biblical evidence (frankly from the actual God given light to us!) that it is by Grace we are saved through faith.
Finally, I will leave a thought provoking comment and reference which all can examine if they care to do so. The below is the Great Commission. Notice the ‘defining’ verb for the Great Commission is “to teach.” In Mark 16 and a few more modern English versions the ‘defining’ verb is “preach the Gospel.” Which supports the previously mentioned “they were cut to the heart” believed and were baptized.
From Matthew 28:
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.(KJV)