Someone posed the question in the search engine of Gospel Gazette Online, “Is Baptism Essential for Salvation?” Jesus answered this question in Mark 16:16, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16:16 NKJV). The apostle Peter answered the question, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38) and “There is also an antitype which now saves us — baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). Ananias answered the question when instructing Saul of Tarsus (later more often known as Paul), “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
Baptism (immersion) in water for the purpose of having one’s sins removed imitates the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord (Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12). Upon rising from the watery grave of baptism one is a new creature (Romans 6:4; 2 Corinthians 5:17). By baptism one gets “into Christ” (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27).
Preceded by hearing God’s Word (Romans 10:17), believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 8:24), repenting of sins (Luke 13:3) and professing Jesus to be the Christ (Matthew 10:32; Acts 8:37), baptism, then, is the point at which one receives the forgiveness of sins that are past (Romans 3:25). After baptism, one is a Christian – a child of God – and is obligated to live faithfully (Revelation 2:10). When the child of God notes sin in his or her life, then one must repent and pray for forgiveness (Acts 8:22; 1 John 1:9).
Baptism is essential to salvation. Faith alone cannot save (James 2:24). Obeying the Gospel of Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17; Romans 6:17) includes faith, repentance, professing Christ, being baptized and continuing to abide by New Testament teaching. Baptism is essential to salvation as are faith, repenting, professing Christ and continuing to be faithful.
