Is Baptism necessary for salvation?
Christians are commanded that once they accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, they should immerse themselves in the act of Baptism.
This act symbolizes dying to old sin or past life and being renewed in a new life with Christ.
The word baptism comes from the Greek word baptizmo, which means to dip/immerse or plunge. Therefore, when Christians are baptized, they identify with Christ’s death and burial when they immerse into the water and then His resurrection when they come out of the water.
Baptism is not a necessary component for salvation, but it is a good outward expression of what takes place inside during our salvation, e.g., like a wedding ring, which is merely an outward sign of an inward commitment.
What is essential for our salvation is a simple, sincere, and humble expression of faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Acts 16:31 (NKJV)
So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
Baptism is also a beautiful act of obedience to God’s word, and every Christian should be baptized once they accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. However, Jesus most certainly taught His followers that it should be an outward manifestation of a changed heart.
In conclusion, if you genuinely believe in Jesus Christ for your salvation, you should have no reason to question in obeying the act of waters of Baptism. Therefore, I would urge and encourage all believers to get baptized because we are commanded to.
Q. But didn’t Peter say that Baptism is essential to salvation?
Acts 2:38 (NKJV)
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Many groups use this verse to teach that baptism is essential for salvation. Yet Paul clearly distinguishes between baptism and the gospel ascribing to the gospel as having the power to save;
1 Corinthians 1:17 (NKJV)
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect
Romans 1:16 (NKJV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Baptism is not necessary for salvation, but instead, it depicts what took place in salvation. Baptism is a beautiful act of obedience to God's word, and every Christian should be baptized post-salvation.
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