What Does The Bible S
ay?
A weekly column of the Robison Street Church of Christ, 301 Robison Street. Send your questions to P.O. Box 846, Edna, Texas 77957.
website - ednachurchofchrist.org We encourage your questions. All inquiries will be kept confidential
Is Baptism Essential To Salvation?
If you were to ask the question above of some groups that practice water baptism, what would they say? Many contend that while it is essential for obedience, it is not essential for salvation. What do the scriptures say?
Water baptism was something that was commanded by Christ (Matt. 28:18-20) and by His apostles (Acts 10:48). So it is a true statement that baptism is essential for obedience. Is obedience essential to salvation? Christ is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Heb. 5:8-9). If Christ commanded baptism, it is essential for salvation.
Jesus said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Thus, Jesus taught that one must both believe and be baptized to be saved. Peter commanded believers to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). Jesus shed his blood for this very reason (Matt. 26:28). Thus, baptism is the point in someone’s faith where God forgives sin. Isn’t forgiveness of sins essential to salvation?
When the Lord spoke to Saul on the Damascus road, He said, “get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do” (Acts 9:6). What was Saul told he must do? “‘Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16). If baptism is something that must be done, then it is essential.
The Bible says salvation is in Christ (2 Tim. 2:10). How does one get into Christ? Paul wrote to the Galatians and reminded them they were all sons of God through faith in Christ because “all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). The Bible teaches that one must be baptized to be saved. If baptism isn’t essential to salvation, then the apostle Peter was mistaken when he wrote, “Baptism now saves you” (1 Pet. 3:21). Baptism is essential to salvation. The question for us is, who will we believe, man or God’s inspired word?
– Phillip Stuckey – [email protected] “Come and see. Come and hear the good news of the Gospel. We meet at the corner of Robison and Church Streets on Sunday at 9:30 AM for Bible classes for all ages and 10:30 AM for worship and again at 6:00 PM for worship. We also meet on Wednesday at 7:00 PM for Bible classes for all ages.”
