Glass Street church of Christ

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February 26, 2008

Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?

by Randy Meyer

All of us desire salvation. Our need for salvation comes from the very fact that we “…all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23) When we commit sin we create a separation between ourselves and God. (Isa. 59:2) Understand however that it is our OWN sin that severs our relationship with God and not the sin of anyone else. (Ezek. 18:20) It is not He that causes the separation or the sins of any other but our own personal sins.

In I John 3:4, the scriptures further tell us “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law; for sin is the transgression of the law” and “All unrighteousness is sin.” (I John 5:17) There is insufficient space here today to even begin to discuss how the passages above should dismiss any man made notion of infants are sinful and therefore in need of salvation. It is the one which commits unrighteousness (disobedience to God’s law) that is guilty of sin. An infant is unable to do such. These passages do however speak to all of those which have the ability to comprehend the fact that they have disobeyed God.

Once we have transgressed God’s law, even once, the only thing we are deserving of is death. (Rom. 6:23) It is only by the goodness of God that we have a hope of salvation. Our eternal place of dwelling is dependant upon being made clean and gaining salvation in accordance to God’s divine plan.

The bible instructs that we must have our sins washed away. Those on the day of Pentecost understood their sins separated them from God. Peter instructed “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38) In Acts 22:16, we find “…arise, and be baptized, and wash away they sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” It is ONLY through baptism that we will have remission of sins. Contrary to what many believe today, salvation comes only AFTER one is obedient to God and entering into the watery grave of baptism.

There are numerous passages and examples of the necessity of baptism. Every example of conversion throughout the book of Acts culminates in one becoming a Christian by being baptized. (Acts 2:38-41, 8:12-13, 8:38, 10:48, 16:15, 33) Christ stated “He that beliveth AND IS BAPTIZED shall be saved…” (Mark 16:16) Those are the words of our Lord. The same Lord many claim to follow but yet refuse to accept his complete teaching when it is not convenient. If you truly love Christ, you will believe and obey Him. (John 14:23) It is only through Christ that we can be saved.

Many will claim that all one must do to be saved is to “call on the name of Christ”, “just believe in Him”, say the “sinners prayer”. I am sorry if what is about to come is hard to hear and accept but such teaching is contrary to the word of God and therefore nothing less than false doctrine. My question to those which proclaim such ideas, are your practices consistent with the Word of God? In other words, are you following the standard and pattern set forth in the Bible or “making it up as you go along”?

However, consider rather what the word of God reveals with respect to the correlation between baptism and salvation. Paul recorded by the inspiration of the Spirit “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Gal. 3:23) The apostle Peter wrote “…in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…” (I Peter 3:20-21)

In Acts 4:12, we find “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be save.” It is HIS WAY and HIS WAY ONLY that will allow our sorry sinful selves the opportunity for remission of sins and salvation of our eternal souls.

Have you obtained remission of your sins through baptism. If not, the above-passages and many others plainly teach salvation is not then yours. If there is anything in which we can assist you in becoming a Christian as set forth in the word of God and practiced in the first century, please contact us today. Life is short, death is sure and judgment certain. Make certain you are ready TODAY.