• 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 6:4-6
    • 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.