The religious world teaches many confusing things about baptism. Who is the proper subject to be baptized (infants or repentant believers)? What is the Scriptural mode of baptism (sprinkling, pouring, or immersion)? But the doctrine most discussed in our part of the world has to do with the “when” of baptism. When does someone become a Christian? When does a believer come into a saved state? When are my sins forgiven? To these questions, I simply ask, “If not at baptism, when?’”
It may shock you to know roughly 65-percent of Christians believe baptism is necessary for salvation1. Roman and Eastern Orthodox churches have always believed baptism was the moment one becomes a Christian. In fact the Nicene Creed of 381 states, “we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.” Both groups are off the foundation of the apostles and prophets in regard to the subject for and mode of baptism. But they are in accord with biblical teaching on when. So, how do we get things right on this critical issue?
Ironically, most of our discussions occur with people who hold to the biblical belief it is believers who are to be immersed. Sadly, their Calvinism forces them into superstitious beliefs about the moment of their salvation. Consequently, they teach baptism has no significance other than an act of obedience that is neither necessary for nor related to salvation. Let’s take a look at what the word of God has to say on the subject.
The Bible tells us Jesus came to save us through the forgiveness of sins (Luke 1:77; 24:47; Romans 4:7-8). When is someone forgiven of their sins? “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”-Acts 2:38. “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.-Acts 22:16. Has someone who has not been baptized been forgiven of their sins?
Can someone go to heaven if they are alive to sin? If not, when do we die to sin? “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”-Romans 6:3-4. Romans chapter six tells us we will die if we live to sin (v23). Praise God we can die in baptism and be set free from sin (v7)! We must be free from sin to have eternal life (v22). We are freed from sin when we obey the gospel from the heart (v17). When do these things occur? “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.”-v8. If I have not been baptized into Christ’s death, am I dead to sin?
On the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter pleaded with all who could hear him, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”-Acts 2:40. When am I saved? “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”-I Peter 3:21. “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”-Titus 3:5. There is no doubt we are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. There is also no doubt we are saved when we submit to baptism.
If not at baptism, when? “Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,”-Colossians 2:12-13. Don’t leave our services dead in sin and unforgiven. You can live with Christ and walk forgiven in the new and eternal life. Be born again today of water and the Spirit! -JS
1 Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches account for 1.35-billion believers compared to 800-million Protestants (some Protestant groups do teach baptism for salvation).
Leave a Reply