Greg Chandler
01/20/14
Over the past 2,000 years, debates have raged over one of the fundamental issues of salvation. Some have asserted that baptism is unnecessary for one’s salvation. Others have asserted it so important that infants should be baptized. Still others view baptism as a means of joining a particular church. Amidst all of the variances on the purpose of baptism, arguments have been made for immersing, pouring, or sprinkling. Some have even suggested that those currently living can be baptized for those who have died. Is all of this confusion really necessary? Is the Bible so unclear on the matter that there is room for all of the different ideas and theories that have been proposed? The answer to this question is a resounding no!
To understand biblical teaching on the subject, it is important to understand about salvation in general. It is for no other reason than the grace of God that sinners are given the opportunity for redemption. Paul states this In Ephesians 2:5: “…even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” Having sinned against the Lord, there is nothing humans can do to “earn” a place back in a right relationship with Him. Salvation is His gift to mankind. Paul also told the Ephesians “for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (2:8). Another dimension is added to salvation as Paul adresses the necessity of faith in believing that God can and will save. For many, this is where the discussion of salvation concludes. By grace God has prepared a way and by faith one believes that God will save. Yet, to stop here is to stop before the Lord is finished.
In considering salvation, it is important to return to the first “gospel sermon” preached. Some of the Jews, now realizing their guilt in having the Son of God crucified, turn to Peter and ask “what shall we do?” They desired a right relationship with God by seeking forgiveness for the crimes they had committed against Him. In reply, Peter states “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). There is no argument from these people. No one is recorded as saying that baptism is a work and God saves by grace alone. Quite to the contrary, these sinners desire salvation and “those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41)
Consider as well every conversion account within the book of Acts. Several accounts are given of men and women who were confronted with their need for salvation. These ranged from an Ethiopian eunuch, to a lady merchant, to a Philippian jailor, to a future apostle. What is the common link in all of their conversion accounts? They were baptized for the remission of their sins! In describing these accounts, the Lord lays down a pattern showing how that His gracious offer of salvation is accepted.
For those who are seeking salvation from sin, it is important to look beyond what is taught by various religious groups or what may be considered as the “mainstream” answer. God has provided the true answer in easy to understand language in order that every man and woman can easily understand the way of redemption. Scan the pages of the Bible and nothing will be found about “accepting the Lord Jesus into your heart” or “reciting the sinner’s prayer.” Nothing will be found about baptizing infants or sprinkling/pouring water as a form of baptism. What one will find is teaching that a loving God has extended a gracious offer of salvation to lost people. Examples will abound of people from all walks of life who, convicted of their sins and having faith in the Lord, submitted to Him by being fully immersed in the waters of baptism for the forgiveness of their sins. The answer for these first century seekers is the same answer for those of the twenty-first century. Baptism is not a hard topic to understand. It is one, however, that is essential for the salvation of the soul.