BASIC BIBLE PRINCIPLES
BAPTISM — ESSENTIAL FOR SALVATION
“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21).
In the passage quoted above, the saving of Noah in the Ark of refuge which he built is likened to baptism. The water saved Noah and his family because it lifted them above the destruction that swept away the ungodly world in which he lived. The waters of baptism can save us from the judgements that Christ will shortly bring upon all the wickedness of the age we live in (1 Pet. 3:20; Mt. 24:37).
Baptism in Scripture
Baptism is first mentioned in Scripture in relation to John the Baptist’s ministry (Mt. 3:5,6,11). His baptism was one of repentance (this means a change of heart, leading to a changed way of life). It anticipated the baptism of the Lord Jesus and was intended to prepare the Jewish people to believe in Christ (Acts 19:4,5). Israel had already been nationally baptized into Moses when they crossed the Red Sea (1 Cor. 10:2), but now Christ commissioned the apostles to baptize individual believers of the gospel, both Jew and Gentile, into his name (Mt. 28:19,20; Mk. 16:16). Baptism into Christ identifies believers with the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ, which, having been accomplished, render this baptism of more significance than either Moses’ or John’s baptisms, which it replaced (Rom. 6:3-6; Acts 2:37, 38).
The need for correct belief
Jesus said in Mark 16:16: “He that believeth [the gospel] and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned [condemned]”. Belief of the one gospel (Gal. 1:6-9; 3:7-9,26-29) and baptism are both necessary. The Acts of the Apostles gives us several impressive examples of correct belief preceding baptism:
There is no record in Scripture of the repentant thief on the cross (Lk. 23:40-43) being baptized. Jesus promised he would be in the Kingdom. But he might have been baptized earlier by either John or the disciples of the Lord (Jno. 4:1,2).
But the example of Christ must be our guide. He said, on the occasion of his baptism: “thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness” (Mt. 3:15). There can be no exceptions; all who wish to be saved must believe and be baptized.
BAPTISM — ESSENTIAL FOR SALVATION
“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 3:21).
In the passage quoted above, the saving of Noah in the Ark of refuge which he built is likened to baptism. The water saved Noah and his family because it lifted them above the destruction that swept away the ungodly world in which he lived. The waters of baptism can save us from the judgements that Christ will shortly bring upon all the wickedness of the age we live in (1 Pet. 3:20; Mt. 24:37).
Baptism in Scripture
Baptism is first mentioned in Scripture in relation to John the Baptist’s ministry (Mt. 3:5,6,11). His baptism was one of repentance (this means a change of heart, leading to a changed way of life). It anticipated the baptism of the Lord Jesus and was intended to prepare the Jewish people to believe in Christ (Acts 19:4,5). Israel had already been nationally baptized into Moses when they crossed the Red Sea (1 Cor. 10:2), but now Christ commissioned the apostles to baptize individual believers of the gospel, both Jew and Gentile, into his name (Mt. 28:19,20; Mk. 16:16). Baptism into Christ identifies believers with the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ, which, having been accomplished, render this baptism of more significance than either Moses’ or John’s baptisms, which it replaced (Rom. 6:3-6; Acts 2:37, 38).
The need for correct belief
Jesus said in Mark 16:16: “He that believeth [the gospel] and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned [condemned]”. Belief of the one gospel (Gal. 1:6-9; 3:7-9,26-29) and baptism are both necessary. The Acts of the Apostles gives us several impressive examples of correct belief preceding baptism:
- Acts 2:14-41 - Jerusalem Jews on the day of Pentecost
- Acts 8:12 - The Samaritans
- Acts 8:27-39 - The Ethiopian Eunuch
- Acts 10:1,2,34-48 - Cornelius and his companions
- Acts 16:14-34 - Lydia and the Philippian jailor and his family
- Acts 19:1-5 - The Ephesian disciples of John the Baptist
There is no record in Scripture of the repentant thief on the cross (Lk. 23:40-43) being baptized. Jesus promised he would be in the Kingdom. But he might have been baptized earlier by either John or the disciples of the Lord (Jno. 4:1,2).
But the example of Christ must be our guide. He said, on the occasion of his baptism: “thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness” (Mt. 3:15). There can be no exceptions; all who wish to be saved must believe and be baptized.
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