Is Baptism Really Necessary For Salvation?

From October 11, 2004

Comments: I am thankful that you have your name on this website and I am sorry to bother you. I just have a couple of questions....First of all do you think water baptism is required in order for someone to be saved and please explain your answers......Second doesn't the bible say we are saved by faith and baptism is a symbol of burial and resurrection? .....and last it is sorta like a wedding ring you don't have one to be married it just symbolizes your marriage like baptism .......Thank you for your time ...

Answer:

Hello,

You are not bothering me. I am certainly glad to help answer your Bible questions. Thanks so much for writing.

You essentially asked three questions, and they are all very good. My responses to you are in red.

You first asked:

1) "First of all do you think water baptism is required in order for someone to be saved and please explain your answers."

I will be glad to explain all of my answers, but please understand that as I answer this question, it is not a matter of what I think, nor what you think, but what does the Scripture say (Rom. 4:3). In order to understand any Bible subject, you must look into the Scripture and find all that the Bible says on that subject so you can arrive at the truth. When we study baptism, we should apply this same rule. What importance does the Bible place on baptism?

1. One must be baptized in order to be saved (Mark 16:16).

2. One must be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38).

3. One must be baptized to have his sins washed away (Acts 22:16).

4. One must be baptized in order to put on Christ (Galatians 3:27).

5. One must be baptized in order to have his transgressions forgiven (Colossians 2:13).

In simple terms, "baptism doth also now save us ..." (I Peter 3:21).

While this is not the ONLY thing that one must do in order to be saved, the New Testament is clear that baptism is necessary if we are going to be forgiven of our sins. For a more thorough explanation of God's plan for salvation, go to our website: http://www.southside-churchofchrist.com/, and click on the: "What Must I Do To Be Saved?" link found on the left-hand side of the screen.

As to your second question: "...doesn't the bible say we are saved by faith and baptism is a symbol of burial and resurrection?"

Romans 6:16-18 tells us that when folks are buried in baptism, they have obeyed from the heart that "form of doctrine" or pattern of teaching as was described in Romans 6:3-6. In other words, just as Christ died, was buried and arose, so men today are dead in sins, but in response to the gospel message, they are buried in the water of baptism, and then rise to walk in newness of life. (Click on: Bible Baptism for more info) AT NO TIME though, does the Bible say that baptism is symbolic of salvation that has already occured. That is not found in the Bible. I know many men have taught this through the years, but it is not a Bible doctrine. Please go back and re-read those passages I gave you in answer #1 and see what baptism's purpose is.

I think this is what you're leading to when you asked the third question ..... "it is sorta like a wedding ring you don't have one to be married it just symbolizes your marriage like baptism ......."

While a wedding ring is symbolic of two people's love and commitment toward one another, baptism is never described in this way in the Bible. Baptism is never called symbolic, nor described as an action which merely shows what has already happened. Rather, baptism is necessary in order to make something happen!! Specifically, to forgive sins (Acts 2:38).

"Thank you for your time ..."

And I thank you for your time in reading this e-mail. I hope this helps you, and as I said before, what I think is not what is important, but what does the Scripture say? Please read the passages concerning baptism carefully, and if I can help you and baptize you into Christ, just let me know.

Sincerely,
Jarrod Jacobs
Visit: Southside Church of Christ



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Bible Study Tools Common Questions - Bible Answers Bible Basics In-Depth Studies Let The Bible Speak Reference Links Daily Bible Reading Radio Program Submit A Question Review Past Questions Sermon Audio Archive T.V. Program "The Ancient Landmark" What Must I Do To Be Saved?		From October 11, 2004 *Comments:* I am thankful that you have your name on this website and I am sorry to bother you. I just have a couple of questions....First of all do you think water baptism is required in order for someone to be saved and please explain your answers......Second doesn't the bible say we are saved by faith and baptism is a symbol of burial and resurrection? .....and last it is sorta like a wedding ring you don't have one to be married it just symbolizes your marriage like baptism .......Thank you for your time ... *Answer:* Hello, You are not bothering me. I am certainly glad to help answer your Bible questions. Thanks so much for writing. You essentially asked three questions, and they are all very good. My responses to you are in red. You first asked: 1) "First of all do you think water baptism is required in order for someone to be saved and please explain your answers." I will be glad to explain all of my answers, but please understand that as I answer this question, it is not a matter of what I think, nor what you think, but what does the Scripture say (Rom. 4:3). In order to understand any Bible subject, you must look into the Scripture and find all that the Bible says on that subject so you can arrive at the truth. When we study baptism, we should apply this same rule. What importance does the Bible place on baptism? 1. One must be baptized in order to be saved (Mark 16:16). 2. One must be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). 3. One must be baptized to have his sins washed away (Acts 22:16). 4. One must be baptized in order to put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). 5. One must be baptized in order to have his transgressions forgiven (Colossians 2:13). In simple terms, "baptism doth also now save us ..." (I Peter 3:21). While this is not the ONLY thing that one must do in order to be saved, the New Testament is clear that baptism is necessary if we are going to be forgiven of our sins. For a more thorough explanation of God's plan for salvation, go to our website: http://www.southside-churchofchrist.com/, and click on the: "What Must I Do To Be Saved?" link found on the left-hand side of the screen. As to your second question: "...doesn't the bible say we are saved by faith and baptism is a symbol of burial and resurrection?" Romans 6:16-18 tells us that when folks are buried in baptism, they have obeyed from the heart that "form of doctrine" or pattern of teaching as was described in Romans 6:3-6. In other words, just as Christ died, was buried and arose, so men today are dead in sins, but in response to the gospel message, they are buried in the water of baptism, and then rise to walk in newness of life. (Click on: Bible Baptism for more info) AT NO TIME though, does the Bible say that baptism is symbolic of salvation that has already occured. That is not found in the Bible. I know many men have taught this through the years, but it is not a Bible doctrine. Please go back and re-read those passages I gave you in answer #1 and see what baptism's purpose is. I think this is what you're leading to when you asked the third question ..... "it is sorta like a wedding ring you don't have one to be married it just symbolizes your marriage like baptism ......." While a wedding ring is symbolic of two people's love and commitment toward one another, baptism is never described in this way in the Bible. Baptism is never called symbolic, nor described as an action which merely shows what has already happened. Rather, baptism is necessary in order to make something happen!! Specifically, to forgive sins (Acts 2:38). "Thank you for your time ..." And I thank you for your time in reading this e-mail. I hope this helps you, and as I said before, what I think is not what is important, but what does the Scripture say? Please read the passages concerning baptism carefully, and if I can help you and baptize you into Christ, just let me know. Sincerely, Jarrod Jacobs Visit: Southside Church of Christ Back To Let The Bible Speak