Does Baptism Save?
Baptism for Salvation?
An examination of the question of Baptismal regeneration.
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Rom 6:3-5 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
First, a brief word about
this web ministry.
Over the years I have mentored many people through e-mail correspondance who live in foreign countries and even here in America. Obviously I cannot spend hundreds of hours in research for everyone who writes to me. Many pastors involved in web ministry do not personally write or correspond with at all because of time contstraints. I try to be selective in who I correspond with, not because I do not want to help everyone, but because it is physically impossible. I have over 5000 visitors on my website each week, and if I corresponded with each of them, I would have time for little else. Keep in mind also, that I recieve no payments of any kind for the services that I render. I am not a paid web minister. In fact It is a sad commentary that in over 10 years of web ministry, I have received a total of zero donations to help with this labor of love! That's right as of today, November 5th, 2012 I have recieved zero donations of any kind toward this ministry. I pay for all this myself, and I put in hundreds of hours of research and prayer, so that the materials I present to you are top quality and Biblically sound. I am not complaining, but I am trying to show that sometimes people on the internet take too much for granted and they become abusive in their expectations of poor people who are trying to do the Lord's work. I think it is rude to expect from Christian ministers on the internet, what you expect from google...free service, in an instant, and on your terms, for any question you happen to have. I have had numerous people write to me, questioning something, or with personal or doctrinal issues, and then they become infuriated when I don't spend as much time as they think I should, helping them? But do they ever help me? No. Do they ever say, Thank you pastor Earl for your love and kindness, and for spending so much time with my problem and my need, here's a little something to help? No! Do they ever send a gift to show their appreciation? No. In fact I get dozens of them writing to me asking me for donations for them and their churches in underpriveleged pasrt of the world, because they assume all us American web ministries are rich. I should be asking them for donations? I have sent materials, Bible charts, books and other stuff for free, all over the world to help these sorts of struggling missionary endeavors. I want to help if I can. But I fear that this google mentality has made us insensitive to those who labor and serve God for the benefit of others, when many people are just takers, just ingrateful abusers of those who labor hard and faithfully, with no pay, and with very few "thank you's". I am not looking for anything, because God rewards His servants in ways that money cannot buy. But I am trying to point out how this whole internet experience is apt to harden the hearts of Christians. We take, take, take, and we recieve, recieve recieve; and soon we become like the dead sea, a body of water with no exit streams...all salt and no life! Recieve and then give! This is the Christian thing. Don't google Christian actions, values, and compassion right out of your life! It is more blessed to give than recieve. And that is why I keep on giving so freely to all of you. Jesus would do the same, and would never act like some of you act. So take this little pep talk for what it's worth. Pray about it and ask God...do I have a google mentality about the Christian ministries I find on the web. If you do, then shame on you!
A correspondence exchange
regarding Baptism
Please note the name has been changed,
but these are actual copies of the emails between a man in South America and myself.
Dear Pastor Jackson
I wonder if you can answer question I have about baptism regeneration, the Church of Christ teaches that baptism saves.
By the way,I don't plan to attend that church again at all.
I hope you can help me with these ones
They use the following verses:
1)Acts 2:382)Romanos 6:3-5
3)Mark 16:16
4)Peter 3:20,21
Would you mind explaining me those verses Mr Jackson? Please
And what biblical proof (what texts) to say that baptism is not needed to be saved.
God bless you richly.
Marco
Dear Marco,
You asked me to help you with the Church of Christ false doctrine that Baptism saves. This is a very simple false doctrine to refute. First I will show you why it is false and the simplest way to refute it, and then I will briefly examine the verses you do not understand. This doctrine is best refuted by presenting the true way of salvation. I use questions to do this.
Question 1: How many ways of salvation did God make?
Answer: Only one..."Jesus is the way". "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
Question 2: Is Jesus a tank of water?
Answer: No, He is a person. He is the "living water" (John 4:10-14).
Question 3: Is it a tank of water that saves us? or is it a person who saves us?
Answer: It is Jesus Christ alone who saves people.
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).
"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" (1John 5:11-12).
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved"(Acts 16:31).
"That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:15-16).
"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:40).
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47).
"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (John 11:25-26)
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:31).
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:9-10).
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).
Question 4: Was the thief on the cross saved?
Answer: "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).
Question 5: Was the thief on the cross baptized?
Answer: No, He was not Baptized! because baptism is not a requirement for salvation. Salvation is always by God's Grace. It is always a gift from God, not a human work or activity that we do (Eph. 2:8-9; John 1:12-13; Acts 13:48).
Question 6: Are there contradictions in the Bible?
Answer: There are no contradictions in the Bible, but there are many contradictions invented by the people who read the Bible. The doctrine of Baptism, therefore cannot contradict the doctrine of salvation by Grace through faith (believing). If one doctrine appears to contradict another doctrine, it is a man made contradiction.
Question 7: How do we explain the supposed baptismal regeneration verses that you mentioned?
Answers:
First we understand that the "union passages" such as Romans 6:3-5 speak of our union with Christ in His baptism. It is about His baptism on the cross, not our baptism in water, that this passage is referring to. Most of the Baptismal regeneration passages actually have to do with this important doctrine. Believers are united with Christ in all of His atoning work.
Jesus spoke of His "death, burial and resurrection" as His Baptism (Luke 12:50). That is what our water Baptism is a picture of. When we are baptized by immersion, we are symbolically showing His death, His burial and His resurection. and our immersion shows our union with Him in His atoning baptism. Our baptism does not save but His did save everyone who ever would be saved! There is "One Lord, One Faith and One Baptism" (Eph. 4:5). The one true Baptism, is the baptism of Christ on the cross. All other baptisms are symbolic of His baptism. His baptism under the wrath of God on the cross, is the Baptism that saves, not our baptism in water.
I am attaching a copy of a chart I have made on this subject. (you can download a free copy of this chart at the bottom of this article). If you study this chart you will learn about the only true baptism that saves, Christ's baptism on the cross. All other forms of Baptism are symbols that point to His death Burial and resiurrection. Please study this attached chart very carefully, and print it out. It will prevent you from thinking that water can wash away sins. It can do no such thing. That's why Christ died. If water could have saved anybody, then He would never have had to die.
The particular passages you mentioned are explained as follows.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Bad translation, should read: "repent then (Gk. KAI) be Baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ because of (Gk. EIS) the remission of sins".
Romans 6:3-5 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
This is talking about His Death Burial and Resureection and is showing our "likeness" to it in our symbolic baptism. This is a Union Passage. When He died, we died! When He was buried, we were buried "with him". When He rose, we rose with him. Our Baptism shows that we have already "been planted together with Him in the likeness" of His death, burial, and resurrection.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Same as Acts 2:38 Bad translation: "He That believes then (Gk. KAI) is baptised shall be saved" But the second part of the verse is equally as important, because it does not say anything about Baptism. He that believeth not shall be damned. It does not say "He that is not Baptized shall be damned." It would have to say that, if Baptism was essential for salvation. Baptism is the follow-up after belief, not a substuitute to believing and not a meritorious addition to believing. Once you believe, then you are baptized. But you are never baptized to get saved. Belief must precede baptism See the case of The Ethiopian in Acts 8:36-38. The order is set forth clearly their, you cannot be Baptised until you have already Believed with all your heart, and are already saved. Baptism is an ordinance for saved people, not and ordinance to get them saved. You must already be saved if you want to be Baptized.
1Peter 3:20-21 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
This verse explains itself. All you have to do is read it. "The like figure (symbolic) whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh (NOT SALVATION FROM SIN), but the answer of a good conscience toward God (SALVATION FROM A BAD CONSCIENCE), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (A UNION PASSAGE talking about Christ's saving Baptism not our water Baptism). See the chart I sent you.
You may find other verses similar to these, but if you understand that salvation is a gift that God Gives, a free gift secured by His blood, then you will never be confused when somebody tells you that you have to do something to get it. Salvation is not Christ plus baptism. It is Christ alone. It is not grace plus works. It is grace plus nothing and minus nothing. keep reading the Bible, and remember, the confusion is not in the scriptures, it is in the minds of evil people who want to twist the scriptures to fit their own personal viewpoints.
Hope This Helps,
And God Bless you my friend,
Pastor Earl
Dear Pastor Earl
Thank you so much for your answer. Yes I believe that Jesus taught only one way to heaven.
Could you explain in more detail Acts 2:38. I knew that EIS means "because of" but I didn't know KAI means "then" How does it affect the meaning of the passage? I need to know it.
Also Acts 22:16.
Thanks for your help.
Marco
In Christ
Dear Marco,
Acts 22:16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.
PLEASE READ THE WHOLE STORY IN ACTS 9:4-18!
You are confused because you are not reading the Bible, you are just looking up verses out of context! Quit looking up the verses about Baptism in isolation from the events where they occur. READ THE WHOLE STORY ABOUT PAUL's CONVERSION! You tell me you are reading the Bible, but you are not. You are just looking up Baptism verses.
In Acts 22:16 the person who this refers to is the Apostle Paul. Paul was saved in Acts Chapter 9:3-9, not in a Baptistry or a river. You need to learn the history of Paul's conversion before He was Baptized.
He Met Jesus on the Damascus road (Acts 9:4-18).
If you read this chapter first, you will not have any problem understanding Acts 22:16.
Look Jesus is the Savior Himself met Paul in Person and smote Him to the ground.
Look at verse 8 carefully. HIS EYES WERE OPENED but He had been smitten Blind.
Look at verse 15. Jesus Called Him a "chosen vessel" and His special "instrument in His hand".
Paul was already saved! After salvation comes baptism.
Look at Verse 18! PAUL WAS SAVED BEFORE HE EVER STOOD UP TO BE BAPTIZED!
Now go back to Acts 22:16
Act 22:16 What are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized, and wash away your sins by praying to the Lord." (Contemporary English Version)
Please read the first part of the verse "WHY DO YOU WAIT?" "Why are you delaying to be Baptized?"
You are worried about the second part of the verse, and you have not understood the first part of the verse? How can you tell me you are reading the Bible and not read the first part of the verse? It means that people who are saved can delay being Baptized. Paul was putting it off. Everyone should obey the Lord and get Baptized as soon as possible...AFTER THEY ARE SAVED! Baptism is a step of obedience, and it is a symbolic act showing our Union with Christ. I have already explained this to you, and given you many verses about it. But Paul was doing like a lot of people do, He was dilly dallying and not being obedient. Maybe he wanted to understand everything intellectually, because Paul was a great intellectual. We know he had waited at least three days from the time He was saved, and when Ananias arrived, He couldn't understand why Paul had not already been baptized! That's what was happening in this verse, so He told Paul to Get up and Get Baptized. No more excuses Paul.
There are two issues mentioned in the verse...
1) Paul's procrastination about being Baptized. (First Part of verse. Disobedience is always a sin for Christians.)
2) Paul's need to repent of this sin and be cleansed from it (second part of the verse).
The washing away of the sins, does not come by Baptism. It comes by calling upon the name of the Lord, just like the verse says! It also comes repeatedly throughout your life if you are a Christian. Every time you sin, you need to confess your sin, and ask God to cleanse you. You ought to know that this is something Christians do throughout their lives. When we confess our sins we are not getting saved again, we are just continuing to obey what God says! Acts 22:16 says nothing about salvation, it is talking about Paul repenting of his failure to be obedient and to get Baptized like Christians are supposed to. PLEASE READ FIRST JOHN 1:9. David is a good example of a man who did what the second half of this verse is speaking about. He was a Christian when he wrote Psalm 51:2-5. Please read it. Christians need cleansing, daily, every step of the way. The first part of Acts 22:16 says we should get Baptized speedily, soon after we are saved. And the second says we should call upon the Lord to wash us from our sins, every time we commit them.
Further explanation of Acts 2:38. I already explained that this verse is a poor-translation. But it is not difficult to understand. "Repent then be Baptized because of the remission of sins". The key here is the words "because of" . The translators chose to use the word "for". Being baptized "for the remission of sins", is different than being baptized "because of the remission of sins". The word "for" make it sound like water is required "for" eliminating sins. The correct translation however means that water is required "because of" the sins already being remitted. The sins are either remitted by the water, or they are remitted because of what Jesus Christ has done. Since no other verse in the Bible can be presented to substantiate the idea that water can was away sin this one cannot mean that either.
Hebrews 10:22, speaks about our hearts being sprinkled clean from a clear conscience, and our Bodies being washed, but even that verse does not teach that water washes away sin. The soul is what is polluted, and the soul is what needs to be cleansed. But water cannot reach the soul! When the Bible speaks of washing of the soul, it is speaking of true cleansing from sin, and it is symbolic, having nothing to do with actual water. Look up these verses, they are very important: 1Corinthians 6:11; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 7:14; Isaiah 1:16; Psalm 51:1,7. All these verses show that the true washing that is required for salvation is the washing of the soul. WATER CANNOT EVEN WET YOUR SOUL. WATER ONLY CLEANSES THE BODY! That's why Acts 2:38 does not mean that water remits sin. It means that we are Baptized because the true cleansing the true water which remits sin, is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. READ ISAIAH 53:4-6. He was wounded for our transgression! He was bruised for our iniquities (vs. 5) ...that's the cleansing water for the soul!
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
Oh precious is the flow,
That makes me white a snow!
No other fount I know.
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
1Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
None of these things happened when you were Baptized! They happened By The Spirit of God the moment you believed.
Marco,
I wish you well, but I think I have discussed Baptism enough with you. I have given you enough truth in all these emails, that you should have absolutely no confusion. Study the chart I sent you, and read the history and context of the verses that trouble you.
Also, if you practice James 1:5, you will get whatever wisdom you require. I am happy to help but I have spent too much time with you on this one subject, and now you need to move on to something else. Baptism is important, but there are many doctrines and issues which are far more important. We must always put our emphasis where God puts it, and the preaching which gets men to become Christians, the good news, the message of Christ, the gospel of God's free-grace, these things are ten thousand times more important than what people do or do not do in a tank of water. No more questions about Baptism. OK?
God bless,
Earl
That was part of an emial exchange that went on for some time, dealing with several different subjects. This was the part about Baptismal regeneration, and I did not modify any of the comments, but I simply wanted to present them to you, because I believe they contain valuable information which will help others struggling with the false doctrine that water is necessary for salvation.
An examination of the question of Baptismal regeneration.
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Rom 6:3-5 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
First, a brief word about
this web ministry.
Over the years I have mentored many people through e-mail correspondance who live in foreign countries and even here in America. Obviously I cannot spend hundreds of hours in research for everyone who writes to me. Many pastors involved in web ministry do not personally write or correspond with at all because of time contstraints. I try to be selective in who I correspond with, not because I do not want to help everyone, but because it is physically impossible. I have over 5000 visitors on my website each week, and if I corresponded with each of them, I would have time for little else. Keep in mind also, that I recieve no payments of any kind for the services that I render. I am not a paid web minister. In fact It is a sad commentary that in over 10 years of web ministry, I have received a total of zero donations to help with this labor of love! That's right as of today, November 5th, 2012 I have recieved zero donations of any kind toward this ministry. I pay for all this myself, and I put in hundreds of hours of research and prayer, so that the materials I present to you are top quality and Biblically sound. I am not complaining, but I am trying to show that sometimes people on the internet take too much for granted and they become abusive in their expectations of poor people who are trying to do the Lord's work. I think it is rude to expect from Christian ministers on the internet, what you expect from google...free service, in an instant, and on your terms, for any question you happen to have. I have had numerous people write to me, questioning something, or with personal or doctrinal issues, and then they become infuriated when I don't spend as much time as they think I should, helping them? But do they ever help me? No. Do they ever say, Thank you pastor Earl for your love and kindness, and for spending so much time with my problem and my need, here's a little something to help? No! Do they ever send a gift to show their appreciation? No. In fact I get dozens of them writing to me asking me for donations for them and their churches in underpriveleged pasrt of the world, because they assume all us American web ministries are rich. I should be asking them for donations? I have sent materials, Bible charts, books and other stuff for free, all over the world to help these sorts of struggling missionary endeavors. I want to help if I can. But I fear that this google mentality has made us insensitive to those who labor and serve God for the benefit of others, when many people are just takers, just ingrateful abusers of those who labor hard and faithfully, with no pay, and with very few "thank you's". I am not looking for anything, because God rewards His servants in ways that money cannot buy. But I am trying to point out how this whole internet experience is apt to harden the hearts of Christians. We take, take, take, and we recieve, recieve recieve; and soon we become like the dead sea, a body of water with no exit streams...all salt and no life! Recieve and then give! This is the Christian thing. Don't google Christian actions, values, and compassion right out of your life! It is more blessed to give than recieve. And that is why I keep on giving so freely to all of you. Jesus would do the same, and would never act like some of you act. So take this little pep talk for what it's worth. Pray about it and ask God...do I have a google mentality about the Christian ministries I find on the web. If you do, then shame on you!
A correspondence exchange
regarding Baptism
Please note the name has been changed,
but these are actual copies of the emails between a man in South America and myself.
Dear Pastor Jackson
I wonder if you can answer question I have about baptism regeneration, the Church of Christ teaches that baptism saves.
By the way,I don't plan to attend that church again at all.
I hope you can help me with these ones
They use the following verses:
1)Acts 2:382)Romanos 6:3-5
3)Mark 16:16
4)Peter 3:20,21
Would you mind explaining me those verses Mr Jackson? Please
And what biblical proof (what texts) to say that baptism is not needed to be saved.
God bless you richly.
Marco
Dear Marco,
You asked me to help you with the Church of Christ false doctrine that Baptism saves. This is a very simple false doctrine to refute. First I will show you why it is false and the simplest way to refute it, and then I will briefly examine the verses you do not understand. This doctrine is best refuted by presenting the true way of salvation. I use questions to do this.
Question 1: How many ways of salvation did God make?
Answer: Only one..."Jesus is the way". "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
Question 2: Is Jesus a tank of water?
Answer: No, He is a person. He is the "living water" (John 4:10-14).
Question 3: Is it a tank of water that saves us? or is it a person who saves us?
Answer: It is Jesus Christ alone who saves people.
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).
"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).
"And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" (1John 5:11-12).
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved"(Acts 16:31).
"That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:15-16).
"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:40).
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47).
"I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" (John 11:25-26)
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:31).
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:9-10).
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).
Question 4: Was the thief on the cross saved?
Answer: "Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).
Question 5: Was the thief on the cross baptized?
Answer: No, He was not Baptized! because baptism is not a requirement for salvation. Salvation is always by God's Grace. It is always a gift from God, not a human work or activity that we do (Eph. 2:8-9; John 1:12-13; Acts 13:48).
Question 6: Are there contradictions in the Bible?
Answer: There are no contradictions in the Bible, but there are many contradictions invented by the people who read the Bible. The doctrine of Baptism, therefore cannot contradict the doctrine of salvation by Grace through faith (believing). If one doctrine appears to contradict another doctrine, it is a man made contradiction.
Question 7: How do we explain the supposed baptismal regeneration verses that you mentioned?
Answers:
First we understand that the "union passages" such as Romans 6:3-5 speak of our union with Christ in His baptism. It is about His baptism on the cross, not our baptism in water, that this passage is referring to. Most of the Baptismal regeneration passages actually have to do with this important doctrine. Believers are united with Christ in all of His atoning work.
Jesus spoke of His "death, burial and resurrection" as His Baptism (Luke 12:50). That is what our water Baptism is a picture of. When we are baptized by immersion, we are symbolically showing His death, His burial and His resurection. and our immersion shows our union with Him in His atoning baptism. Our baptism does not save but His did save everyone who ever would be saved! There is "One Lord, One Faith and One Baptism" (Eph. 4:5). The one true Baptism, is the baptism of Christ on the cross. All other baptisms are symbolic of His baptism. His baptism under the wrath of God on the cross, is the Baptism that saves, not our baptism in water.
I am attaching a copy of a chart I have made on this subject. (you can download a free copy of this chart at the bottom of this article). If you study this chart you will learn about the only true baptism that saves, Christ's baptism on the cross. All other forms of Baptism are symbols that point to His death Burial and resiurrection. Please study this attached chart very carefully, and print it out. It will prevent you from thinking that water can wash away sins. It can do no such thing. That's why Christ died. If water could have saved anybody, then He would never have had to die.
The particular passages you mentioned are explained as follows.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Bad translation, should read: "repent then (Gk. KAI) be Baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ because of (Gk. EIS) the remission of sins".
Romans 6:3-5 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
This is talking about His Death Burial and Resureection and is showing our "likeness" to it in our symbolic baptism. This is a Union Passage. When He died, we died! When He was buried, we were buried "with him". When He rose, we rose with him. Our Baptism shows that we have already "been planted together with Him in the likeness" of His death, burial, and resurrection.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Same as Acts 2:38 Bad translation: "He That believes then (Gk. KAI) is baptised shall be saved" But the second part of the verse is equally as important, because it does not say anything about Baptism. He that believeth not shall be damned. It does not say "He that is not Baptized shall be damned." It would have to say that, if Baptism was essential for salvation. Baptism is the follow-up after belief, not a substuitute to believing and not a meritorious addition to believing. Once you believe, then you are baptized. But you are never baptized to get saved. Belief must precede baptism See the case of The Ethiopian in Acts 8:36-38. The order is set forth clearly their, you cannot be Baptised until you have already Believed with all your heart, and are already saved. Baptism is an ordinance for saved people, not and ordinance to get them saved. You must already be saved if you want to be Baptized.
1Peter 3:20-21 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
This verse explains itself. All you have to do is read it. "The like figure (symbolic) whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh (NOT SALVATION FROM SIN), but the answer of a good conscience toward God (SALVATION FROM A BAD CONSCIENCE), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (A UNION PASSAGE talking about Christ's saving Baptism not our water Baptism). See the chart I sent you.
You may find other verses similar to these, but if you understand that salvation is a gift that God Gives, a free gift secured by His blood, then you will never be confused when somebody tells you that you have to do something to get it. Salvation is not Christ plus baptism. It is Christ alone. It is not grace plus works. It is grace plus nothing and minus nothing. keep reading the Bible, and remember, the confusion is not in the scriptures, it is in the minds of evil people who want to twist the scriptures to fit their own personal viewpoints.
Hope This Helps,
And God Bless you my friend,
Pastor Earl
Dear Pastor Earl
Thank you so much for your answer. Yes I believe that Jesus taught only one way to heaven.
Could you explain in more detail Acts 2:38. I knew that EIS means "because of" but I didn't know KAI means "then" How does it affect the meaning of the passage? I need to know it.
Also Acts 22:16.
Thanks for your help.
Marco
In Christ
Dear Marco,
Acts 22:16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.
PLEASE READ THE WHOLE STORY IN ACTS 9:4-18!
You are confused because you are not reading the Bible, you are just looking up verses out of context! Quit looking up the verses about Baptism in isolation from the events where they occur. READ THE WHOLE STORY ABOUT PAUL's CONVERSION! You tell me you are reading the Bible, but you are not. You are just looking up Baptism verses.
In Acts 22:16 the person who this refers to is the Apostle Paul. Paul was saved in Acts Chapter 9:3-9, not in a Baptistry or a river. You need to learn the history of Paul's conversion before He was Baptized.
He Met Jesus on the Damascus road (Acts 9:4-18).
If you read this chapter first, you will not have any problem understanding Acts 22:16.
Look Jesus is the Savior Himself met Paul in Person and smote Him to the ground.
Look at verse 8 carefully. HIS EYES WERE OPENED but He had been smitten Blind.
Look at verse 15. Jesus Called Him a "chosen vessel" and His special "instrument in His hand".
Paul was already saved! After salvation comes baptism.
Look at Verse 18! PAUL WAS SAVED BEFORE HE EVER STOOD UP TO BE BAPTIZED!
Now go back to Acts 22:16
Act 22:16 What are you waiting for? Get up! Be baptized, and wash away your sins by praying to the Lord." (Contemporary English Version)
Please read the first part of the verse "WHY DO YOU WAIT?" "Why are you delaying to be Baptized?"
You are worried about the second part of the verse, and you have not understood the first part of the verse? How can you tell me you are reading the Bible and not read the first part of the verse? It means that people who are saved can delay being Baptized. Paul was putting it off. Everyone should obey the Lord and get Baptized as soon as possible...AFTER THEY ARE SAVED! Baptism is a step of obedience, and it is a symbolic act showing our Union with Christ. I have already explained this to you, and given you many verses about it. But Paul was doing like a lot of people do, He was dilly dallying and not being obedient. Maybe he wanted to understand everything intellectually, because Paul was a great intellectual. We know he had waited at least three days from the time He was saved, and when Ananias arrived, He couldn't understand why Paul had not already been baptized! That's what was happening in this verse, so He told Paul to Get up and Get Baptized. No more excuses Paul.
There are two issues mentioned in the verse...
1) Paul's procrastination about being Baptized. (First Part of verse. Disobedience is always a sin for Christians.)
2) Paul's need to repent of this sin and be cleansed from it (second part of the verse).
The washing away of the sins, does not come by Baptism. It comes by calling upon the name of the Lord, just like the verse says! It also comes repeatedly throughout your life if you are a Christian. Every time you sin, you need to confess your sin, and ask God to cleanse you. You ought to know that this is something Christians do throughout their lives. When we confess our sins we are not getting saved again, we are just continuing to obey what God says! Acts 22:16 says nothing about salvation, it is talking about Paul repenting of his failure to be obedient and to get Baptized like Christians are supposed to. PLEASE READ FIRST JOHN 1:9. David is a good example of a man who did what the second half of this verse is speaking about. He was a Christian when he wrote Psalm 51:2-5. Please read it. Christians need cleansing, daily, every step of the way. The first part of Acts 22:16 says we should get Baptized speedily, soon after we are saved. And the second says we should call upon the Lord to wash us from our sins, every time we commit them.
Further explanation of Acts 2:38. I already explained that this verse is a poor-translation. But it is not difficult to understand. "Repent then be Baptized because of the remission of sins". The key here is the words "because of" . The translators chose to use the word "for". Being baptized "for the remission of sins", is different than being baptized "because of the remission of sins". The word "for" make it sound like water is required "for" eliminating sins. The correct translation however means that water is required "because of" the sins already being remitted. The sins are either remitted by the water, or they are remitted because of what Jesus Christ has done. Since no other verse in the Bible can be presented to substantiate the idea that water can was away sin this one cannot mean that either.
Hebrews 10:22, speaks about our hearts being sprinkled clean from a clear conscience, and our Bodies being washed, but even that verse does not teach that water washes away sin. The soul is what is polluted, and the soul is what needs to be cleansed. But water cannot reach the soul! When the Bible speaks of washing of the soul, it is speaking of true cleansing from sin, and it is symbolic, having nothing to do with actual water. Look up these verses, they are very important: 1Corinthians 6:11; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 7:14; Isaiah 1:16; Psalm 51:1,7. All these verses show that the true washing that is required for salvation is the washing of the soul. WATER CANNOT EVEN WET YOUR SOUL. WATER ONLY CLEANSES THE BODY! That's why Acts 2:38 does not mean that water remits sin. It means that we are Baptized because the true cleansing the true water which remits sin, is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. READ ISAIAH 53:4-6. He was wounded for our transgression! He was bruised for our iniquities (vs. 5) ...that's the cleansing water for the soul!
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus!
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus.
Oh precious is the flow,
That makes me white a snow!
No other fount I know.
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
1Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
None of these things happened when you were Baptized! They happened By The Spirit of God the moment you believed.
Marco,
I wish you well, but I think I have discussed Baptism enough with you. I have given you enough truth in all these emails, that you should have absolutely no confusion. Study the chart I sent you, and read the history and context of the verses that trouble you.
Also, if you practice James 1:5, you will get whatever wisdom you require. I am happy to help but I have spent too much time with you on this one subject, and now you need to move on to something else. Baptism is important, but there are many doctrines and issues which are far more important. We must always put our emphasis where God puts it, and the preaching which gets men to become Christians, the good news, the message of Christ, the gospel of God's free-grace, these things are ten thousand times more important than what people do or do not do in a tank of water. No more questions about Baptism. OK?
God bless,
Earl
That was part of an emial exchange that went on for some time, dealing with several different subjects. This was the part about Baptismal regeneration, and I did not modify any of the comments, but I simply wanted to present them to you, because I believe they contain valuable information which will help others struggling with the false doctrine that water is necessary for salvation.
Right Click and Save to download this free chart to your computer. Higher Resolution versions are available please use our Contact Form to request one.
