Les Boldt

When it comes to the gospel plan of salvation, this writer attempts to stay with what the scriptures say is neces sary to be saved. A student of the Bible will find several requirements listed in the word of God that make it possible for each of us as sinners to be saved. We are saved by: grace (Eph 2:5), mercy (Tit 3:5), Jesus (Acts 4: 12), the blood (Rev 1 :5), the death of Christ (1 Cor 15:3), the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:11), the Bible (James 1:21), preaching (1 Cor 1:21), faith (Eph 2:8), repentance (Acts 2:38), confession of faith (Rom 10:9- 10), and baptism (Mark 16:16, 1 Pet 3:21). To neglect any of these would be wrong on our part. To focus on any one of these to the neglect of the rest would be equally wrong.

However, we must note that of all the elements listed in God’s inspired Word as necessities of salvation, none have led to as much division as the necessity of baptism. Some believe that baptism is an act of obedience following salvation, while others believe baptism serves as the culminating action in a series of steps in obeying the gospel.

This writer, having been on both sides of the issue (reared in a denomination that does not connect the immersion of a believer with salvation), is very familiar with the subject. Therefore, we would like to explain why we believe as we do—that baptism, the immersing a penitent believer in water, for the forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38; 22:16) and to be saved (Mark 16:16) is a requirement to complete gospel obedience according to the Scriptures. We will attempt to explain our view by answering the arguments of those who believe that baptism is not part of the New Testament plan of salvation.

1. THE THIEF ON THE CROSS WASN’T BAPTIZED.

This argument comes from the occasion when Jesus and the two thieves were dying on their crosses of execution. One of the thieves penitently desired the Lord to remember him when He came into His kingdom (Lk 23:42). Jesus’ reply was, “Assuredly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Lk 23:43 NKJV). The point some try to make is that Jesus granted him salvation without baptism. They say, “Why wasn’t the thief required to be baptized?” The thief was not responsible to obey a command that had not yet been given. The commission of our Lord that included baptism was not given until later (See Matt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38). The New Covenant, under which we live, was not yet in effect. It is like our modern day will. “For where a covenant [testament or will] is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives” (Heb 9:16-17 NASB). Like everyone else living under the Old Covenant, the thief was not required to be baptized.

2. BAPTISM IS A WORK.

This argument comes from passages like Ephesians 2:9 which truthfully says that salvation comes “not from works, lest anyone should boast” (NKJV). We agree, because the Bible is clear on works of the flesh. However, baptism is never called a work in Scripture. In fact, the only time baptism is referred to as a work, we find that it is not a work on man’s part but a work on God’s part. “Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from, the dead” (Colossians 2:12 NKJV). God doesthe work of saving. Just as the power of God reached down in that tomb and raised Jesus from the dead, that same power reaches into the heart of a penitent believer to raise him from death to life when that one submits to His simple plan!

3. THE BIBLE SAYS WE ARE SAVED BY “FAITH ALONE.”

Where do the Scriptures say that? Actually, the only place that kind of terminology is used in the Bible is in James 2:24 when it says, “not by faith alone.” We demonstrated in the introduction that there are several requirements for salvation. Why would anyone believe that it is all right to claim any one of those to the exclusion of the rest?

4. HOLY SPIRIT BAPTISM IS WHAT WAS MEANT.

Acts 1:5 has Jesus telling the apostles that they “Shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” And they were baptized with the Holy Spirit as divine confirmation for the beginning of the church and gospel preaching on the day of Pentecost. However, the baptism commanded by our Lord in His commission was water baptism. This becomes even more obvious as one examines the accounts of conversion throughout the book of Acts.

5. THE EMPHASIS SHOULD REALLY BE ON THE LATTER HALF OF MARK 16:16.

The verse says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16: 16 NKJV). Some would argue that the emphasis is on belief, and that it is the determining factor in salvation. But the obvious reason that baptism is not mentioned in the second half of the verse is that if one does not believe then that one is not really baptized. He has only gone for a swim. Baptism by necessity must be preceded by belief in the gospel. To illustrate that point, notice that if a man was to desire to board an airplane, and there were five stairsteps to take, each step must be taken. We could say, “He who takes the first step and the last step boards the plane; but he who never takes the first step is not on the plane.”

6. IN ACTS 2:38, IT IS NOT “FOR” BUT “BECAUSE OF” THE REMISSION OF SINS THAT ONE IS BAPTIZED.

Since this is a key verse in Peter’s message at the beginning of the church and there’s an obvious connection to forgiveness of sin, the critics attempt to say the word “for” could also be translated “because of.” However, no reputable translation presents it that way. The Greek, the language of the original New Testament scriptures, is a very precise language. If the writer intended to say forgiveness of sin was a result of baptism, then he would have used the words as they are in the Greek text. If he had intended to say one should be baptized because the individual has been saved and his sins have already been remitted, there was a way to have said that—but he didn’t.

7. BAPTISM IS AN OUTWARD SIGN OF AN INWARD GRACE.

Baptism is a visible act for the penitent believer. When he is immersed in water, he is identifying with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The New Testament writers indicate that on several occasions (see Romans 6:1-6; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21). We believe that it is not just an “outward sign,” but that baptism is the point at which we come into contact with the blood of Christ our Savior. “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4 NKJV).

8. BAPTISM MUST NOT BE A REQUIREMENT FOR SALVATION IF CORNELIUS WAS BAPTIZED AFTER RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Acts 10:44-48 provides the account of the incident in question. The context reminds us that Cornelius’ conversion was an exceptional case—he was to become the first Gentile Christian. To convince Peter that he would be doing the right thing in baptizing him, the Lord confirmed His plan when the Holy Spirit came (Acts 10:44). Peter defends himself to his brethren by admitting it happened just as it had with them “at the beginning” (Acts 11: 15)—that is, when salvation came on the Day of Pentecost. This was not contrary to the normal plan of God, but typical of His way of convincing His first century preachers of salvation for all people.

9. BAPTISM IS WATER REGENERATION.

Who says that? We don’t! Now there are religious groups that may claim power in the water. We are trusting Jesus, His blood the atoning sacrifice, and the power of the gospel. It is not like a bath in which the water washes away dirt, but “baptism doth also now save us” since it is an “answer of a good conscience toward God.” It was His idea! all because of “the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21 KJV). We are not water regenerationists, but gospel believers who simply do what the Lord asked of us based on His death, burial, and resurrection.

10. BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE ON THEIR DEATH BED?

Rarely, but occasionally, there are those who so very near their time of death, confess their faith, but are unable to follow through with being baptized. These are exceptional cases. Our great and gracious God will do the right thing. As in all cases, that’s His call, not ours. It is our obligation to faithfully preach the gospel. God will take care of the rest. (We are glad to report that in some of these cases, doctors, nurses, and loved ones have helped arrange for a tub or whirlpool of some kind to be used for baptisms when possible.)

We lovingly present what we believe the Lord intended for us to understand. As ambassadors for the King, we are only attempting to deliver His message faithfully. We have no denominational doctrine to defend or headquarters to please. We are glad to report that there are individuals and congregations leaving their denominational ties and teaching, and they are now presenting the full gospel plan of salvation. We are excited about that. But we are equally saddened when we hear of those among us who do not understand why we claim baptism’s connection to salvation. Maybe this essay has helped in their understanding

Les Boldt is in his second ministry with the Christian Church of Olney, IL
Restoration Herald February 2004