- Introduction: Is baptism essential to salvation?
- Denominational, non-denominational, and/or inter-denominational religions are built on the foundation of a human doctrine called Calvinism. This doctrine teaches that the sinner is saved by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit, who imparts “saving faith”. Thus, one is saved by that faith “only” and are not saved by works, such as baptism. Baptism is only a symbol of sins already forgiven.
- Since salvation is the theme of the Bible this doctrine should be revealed – but is it?
- Some so-called “proof texts” used to show “baptism is not essential” for salvation.
- (Toward the church of Christ), “You just believe in water salvation.” “You believe in ‘works’ salvation.” “It is not about works but about Christ.”
- “Salvation by ‘faith only’, ‘not of works’.” Examples: John 3:!6; Acts 16:31; Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:8-9
- “These and other verses “Don’t Say Baptism” is essential to salvation.” CAUTION: Dangerous to take verses out of their context.
- Christ’s sacrificial death is the heart of the gospel of salvation
- This immutable fact. I Corinthians 15:1-4; Matthew 26:28; II Corinthians 5:14-15, 21
- Before this lesson is over we will discover that believing “baptism is not essential” to salvation shows a very reprehensible disrespect and disregard for the precious sacrifice of Christ.
- What does baptism accomplish? Romans 6:1-23
- Died to sin, HOW? Romans 6:2, 10-11, 5, 17
- Died with Christ, HOW? Romans 6:3-8
- Buried with Christ, HOW? Romans 6:3-5
- Raised with Christ, HOW? Romans 6:4-5
- Alive with Christ, alive to God, HOW? Romans 6:4, 8, 11, 13
- Freed from sin, old man slavery, HOW? Romans 6:6-7, 18, 22
- In Christ, HOW? Romans 6:3, 11
- All of these are necessary for salvation, yet none are possible without baptism into Christ.
- “But it doesn’t say baptism!” (Compare with the points of Romans 6 above.)
- New Testament teaching of salvation is build on the truths of Romans 6.
- Galatians 2:20, “crucified with Christ”
- Romans 6:3-8 – baptism
- Galatians 6:14-15 – “world crucified to me … I to the world, in Christ, new creation.” Romans 6:3-11 – baptism
- Colossians 2:20; 3:1-3, 9-10 – “died with Christ”, “Raised with Christ”, “old man”, “new man”
- Romans 6:8, 4, 6, 4 – baptism. Also, context: Colossians 2:9-13
- Ephesians 2:8-9 – “not of works”
- Context: Ephesians 2:1-3 – baptism implied
- Romans 6:3-4, 11, 13
- Ephesians 4:20-24 – “old man”, “new man”
- Romans 5:1
- Context: Romans 5 tells how God provided salvation through the grace of his Son’s death for sinners. Romans 6 shows baptism joins sinners with Christ’s death.
- II Timothy 2:11 – “died with Him … live with Him.”
- Romans 6:4, 8, 11 - baptism
- II Corinthians 5:17 – “in Christ”, “new creation”, “old things have passed away”, “behold, all things have become new”
- Romans 6:3-4, 6 – baptism
- The entire New Testament agrees with this pattern.
- Just scratched the surface. Consider reconciliation, peace with God, justified, sanctified, etc. These also require baptism into Christ.
- More than water. It is unity with Christ’s death, burial, resurrection and His blood.
- That is why: I Peter 3:21; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:18; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Galatians 3:27
- Example: Acts
- Conclusion
- Rejecting baptism as necessary for salvation shows a flagrant disrespect and disregard for the gift of God’s in the death that he died for our sins. Even scriptures that “Don’t Say Baptism” teach baptism is necessary for salvation.
JS
October 17, 2018
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