Did these People Teach that Water Baptism was Necessary for Salvation?
Many Christians and unbelievers want answers. They desire to know, is water baptism necessary for salvation?
As this debate races on many famous clergies have added their voice and points of view to the noise.
However, regardless of how famous you are, your opinions don’t change the importance of this spiritual ritual to salvation.
Therefore, to arrive at a biblical and correct answer, we must discover, whether Jesus Christ taught that water baptism is necessary for salvation or not.
Similarly, let’s assess the situation! What did his twelve leaders teach on this topic?
What Did Jesus Teach About Water Baptism?
Therefore, if Jesus, his twelve leaders, and the Church taught and practiced that water baptism was essential for salvation then; I’m afraid, it is.
According to Apostle Mark, Jesus’ last instructions to them include:
“[H]e said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Mark 16:15-16
Jesus Christ, just before he ascended up to heaven, told his eleven leaders (Judas was dead) that it was absolutely necessary for salvation.
He instructed them to traverse the earth and to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven to “every creature”(Mark 16:15).
Then he added, anyone who believes the gospel that you will preach and is “baptized” “shall be saved” (Mark 16:16).
On the other hand, anyone who doesn’t believe the gospel will refuse water baptism, and such a one “shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).
Note that both activities together are necessary. We cannot believe and not baptize neither should we baptize and not believe.
Note, in the Scriptures above that Jesus did not state that water baptism saves the person. But he stressed that such a one shall experience saving in the future, not now.
Water baptism is for Believers in Jesus Christ. Those who refuse and denounce the importance of it to salvation are unbelievers. I didn’t say that the Bible declares that to be true.
Observe the qualification of a “Believer”.
One who believes in the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven and experiences water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, (Acts 2:38 and Mark 16:16).
What Did Jesus Teach This Jewish Leader About Water Baptism?
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
John 3:5
Now, to the spiritually immature Christian entrance into the kingdom of God is different from salvation. However, to a father, there is no difference between them.
Jesus told Nicodemus that “a man”, any man or woman for that matter, “cannot enter into the kingdom of God” “except” he is “born of water” (water baptism) and born “of the Spirit” (Spirit baptism) (John 3:5).
A King’s Word is Powerful in His Kingdom
Nevertheless, simply put, a kingdom is any place where a king reigns and his words have power. The kingdom of God is the kingdom which belongs to God.
This description identifies and differentiates His domain from all others. It belongs to the Lord God. And His words are very powerful in it. You only need to speak His words in His name: Jesus, to exercise His power.
Jesus taught this Jewish leader that anyone wishing to enter into the domain that belongs to Him that such a one must be baptized by immersion in water.
The Importance of Water Baptism to Salvation
Moments later, Jesus reiterated the importance of it to salvation. He told Nicodemus:
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.”
John 3:7
The relevance of this to the Jewish people at that time is, that they were expecting the Anointed One (The Messiah) to come and physically rule over the kingdom of David, his father. He would sit on his throne.
But the Kingdom of God is not that kingdom.
After Jesus emphasized the importance of water baptism to salvation to this Ruler of Israel, the latter asked a simple but profound question.
He inquired; “How can these things be?” (John 3:9).
Leaders Should Learn the Importance of Water Baptism to Salvation
Next, Jesus responded to him. His answer revealed Nicodemus’ predicament and that of many of our clergies today.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?”
John 3:10
Nicodemus didn’t know that such things are in the Scriptures and many of our current pastors are similarly ignorant of the immense importance of baptism to salvation.
Jesus 12 Leaders on Water Baptism & Salvation
“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.”
Acts 2:38
Apostle Peter, the chief apostle, taught four things concerning water baptism in the Scripture immediately above: get baptized; how to baptize; the reason for baptism, and the consequence for baptism.
However, these four things could be summarized under three headings: Repent, Baptize, and Receive.
Here, did Peter teach explicitly that water baptism is necessary for salvation? No! He didn’t.
However, any mature Bible Student knows never to utilize one scripture to establish any doctrine or principle.
We need a least two Scriptures to do so.
Subsequently, by combining Jesus’ teachings to Nicodemus with Apostle Peter’s sermon to the people in Jerusalem at Pentecost, we observe the following.
The former explained what we needed to enter the Kingdom of God and the latter explained how to achieve it.
Peter then explained how to be born of water, why, and the end result. They were teaching the same thing from a different perspective.
Therefore, Apostle Peter did, in fact, explain that water baptism, is a prerequisite for being born of the Spirit and that both constitute being born again.
Therefore, there is no born-again without water baptism and that makes it absolutely essential to salvation.
Was Water Baptism Necessary for the Salvation of this Italian Family?
Finally, while Apostle Peter was preaching to Cornelius and his household and his friends they all experienced being born of the Spirit.
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God….” (Acts 10:44-46).
Baptism wasn’t an Option for Them
However, if water baptism wasn’t necessary for their salvation, why after they were born of the Spirit then Apostle Peter instructed them to be baptized and how?
Then Peter asked: “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days” (Acts 10:47-48).
CONCLUSION
We have observed from the teachings of Jesus Christ that he indeed taught that water baptism is essential for salvation.
First, he taught that water baptism does not save us now but it does in the future. We experience water baptism to receive salvation.
Then, to use his words he said “ye must” be baptized in water to be saved.
Similarly, his early leaders of the church also taught that water baptism is indeed necessary for salvation. Peter explained the role of baptism in salvation: for the remission of sins.
There is no doubt about its importance in our salvation.
The Bible is never wrong. Anyone who believes in the Gospel of the Kingdom of God should experience baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.
By water baptism, you take on the name of your Saviour and the name of Him whom you believe in.
Another Important Function of Baptism
Unbelievers denounce its importance. They refuse water baptism because they cannot see its importance to salvation. But how could they?
They must be born again to perceive the “Kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Leroy A. Daley is an author, blogger, YouTuber, and Bible teacher. Globally, he's helped hundreds of Christians understand the Bible better. He has been studying and teaching the Bible for more than forty years. He is passionate about the Lord and spends quality time with the Word of God every day.
His Books are available for purchase wherever books are sold.
I agree baptism is important, and every Christian should be baptized. But I would offer for your consideration, Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born (Greek word here is [gennaó] procreation) of water (physical birth by water, not baptized of water). And born of the Spirit (birth of a new creation in Christ). Neither of those were talking about baptism.
There are many verses that talk about salvation through faith alone (i.e. Eph 2:8-9). I won’t list them all, but Jesus also gave us a great example that salvation is by faith alone by the thief on the cross. Because he believed (faith) in Jesus, Jesus told him he would be with him in Paradise (same place Abraham went). No time for baptism. No problem for Jesus. Grace is not works base. Even the work of baptism. But everyone who believes should be baptized, no question.
God bless, keep sharing God’s love.
Leroy Daley May 19, 2022
Thank you Joe for stopping by and reading and sharing your point of view.
May the Lord give you the wisdom to know His Word!!
I agree baptism is important, and every Christian should be baptized. But I would offer for your consideration, Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born (Greek word here is [gennaó] procreation) of water (physical birth by water, not baptized of water). And born of the Spirit (birth of a new creation in Christ). Neither of those were talking about baptism.
There are many verses that talk about salvation through faith alone (i.e. Eph 2:8-9). I won’t list them all, but Jesus also gave us a great example that salvation is by faith alone by the thief on the cross. Because he believed (faith) in Jesus, Jesus told him he would be with him in Paradise (same place Abraham went). No time for baptism. No problem for Jesus. Grace is not works base. Even the work of baptism. But everyone who believes should be baptized, no question.
God bless, keep sharing God’s love.
Thank you Joe for stopping by and reading and sharing your point of view.
May the Lord give you the wisdom to know His Word!!