Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?
A frequently asked question is, "Is baptism necessary for
salvation?"
Acts 10 gives the conversion story of Cornelius. In this story when
Peter was explaining that the forgiveness of sins would come to anyone who believed in
Jesus, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who listened to the message. Apparently Cornelius and
the Gentiles reached out to God for the forgiveness which Peter was telling them about.
They received as God's response the Holy Ghost. Paul teaches us in Romans 8:9 that anyone
who has the Holy Spirit is a Christian. If one does not have the Spirit, no matter what
else he does or believes, he is not a Christian.
After Cornelius had received the Holy Spirit and had been made a
Christian, then he was baptized. Please notice the order of events leading to his
salvation. First, he heard the Word of God, second, he believed. Third, God responded to
his faith by giving him the Holy Spirit, who, according to Acts 15:9, cleansed hearts and
made Christians. The last thing that happened was that he was baptized. Scripture teaches
that Cornelius and the Gentiles, like the Apostles and like the 120 at Pentecost, received
salvation by faith alone in Jesus before they received water baptism.
In the New Testament, baptism is always presented as a step
following faith in Christ.
Mark 16:16: "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;
but he that believeth not shall be damned."
Acts 16:3 1: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt
be saved."
No mention was made of baptism or confession by mouth as procuring
salvation.
It is true that baptism is an act of obedience on the part of the
baptized. It is a choice by the individual, even as faith is a choice.
One might ask, "Will any believer who has died without baptism
be eternally lost?" Scripture indicates a distinct, "No."
John 3:18: "He that believeth on Him (Christ) is not condemned:
but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the
name of the only begotten Son of God.
For more information, see our Resource Catalog: Proofs for the Truth of Christianity.
Also, see the section on "Baptism"
from our Apologetics Conference.
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