What's the point of baptism if it's not necessary for salvation?

Question

The evangelical Christian prescription for salvation goes something like this:
First, one must acknowledge one is a sinner, and that nothing one can do by one's own efforts can reconcile one to God.
Then, one must sincerely believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and ask Him to come into one's heart with a "sinner's prayer" (reportedly the only prayer God hears from the unredeemed). Having done this -- either alone, or in the presence of others -- one is "born again", "saved", and nothing more needs to be done. But only then is one baptized.

1. If it is the Holy Spirit that convicts, isn't He already present in the heart -- and therefore Christ?
2. If all that is necessary is to believe, how is this different from James 2:19?
3. Who determines the sinner's sincerity and thus the validity of their conversion?
4. What exactly does baptism accomplish in this construct? Is it merely symbolic ritual? ("outward sign of inward change" still doesn't explain the necessity).

Thanks for the extensive and varied information, I do appreciate it, but would someone please also address the four points I outlined?

Answer 1

This answer represents the belefs I held years ago, not the beliefs I have today.

1. To understand the non-sacramental view of Baptism, it helps to understand that Protestants believe in Baptism of Desire, though few are aware that it is a Catholic Tradition, and I have never heard the actual phrase "Baptism of Desire" used by a Protestant.

Unlike Catholics, Protestants believe that it is a normative part of the salvation process for all believers. The Lutheran confessions even formally define it in considerable detail, but in any event, the principle is that the preaching of the Word of God actually imparts grace to the hearer. And so preaching the Word is, for Protestants, an inherently sacramental act (though not a Sacrament).

2. Baptism is an act of authentication to demonstrate that kind of belief which is based on God's saving grace.

3. You have identified the big gaping hole in non-sacramental Christianity. But the standard answer is that only God knows for sure and the rest of us can only act on our best judgment, always bringing the matter before God in prayer.

4. For non-sacramental Christians, Baptism is solely an act of community. It demonstrates conversion, declaring to the body of believers that a person's faith is genuine. The fact of baptism's validity and effectiveness *for the purpose of demonstration* is accepted as an article of faith. It is considered a necessary step in obeying God by fellowshipping with other Christians, but (as you know) not for salvation itself.

Answer 2

Wonderful question, I'm not Catholic but I don't believe the credo position either. Unfortunately, that position has developed into a "formula" that reflects pharisaical positions and "law" that must be followed before baptism is performed. To me, that is absolute nonsense. There is no 1-2-3-4 process to "gettin' saved" -- to me, life and freedom in Christ means far more than "all you have to do." False religion always give you something to do.

1. That is absolutely true, if it is the Holy Spirit who convicts, he is already present in your heart.
2. I see what you mean, the difference is the Holy Spirit working in one's heart.
3. Who determines the sincerity? Of course it is God who searches the heart. If the Holy Spirit is there, and Jesus Christ is there, then we have a person who was predestined from before the foundations of the world to receive Christ via the Holy Spirit.
4. What baptism accomplishes is a covenant between God and his own, yes, a symbolic ritual (rite), pointing to an in-grafting into Christ, with a secondary effect of a witness to others, but this is what circumcision was to the Israelites. No change except in the administration of the rite. Baptism being a replacement for circumcision, would give us the same necessity for its replacement.

Answer 3

Our evangelical friends seem to be making up their own religion rather than listening to Jesus, the apostles, the Fathers of the Church in the first few centuries, or the Catholic-Orthodox Church Jesus founded that retains the original insights of Christianity.

Jesus taught that baptism is required for salvation: "Jesus answered, 'I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit'" (John 3:5). Peter makes this requirement more explicit for modern ears: "In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God" (I Pet 3:20-21).

To your questions:

1. If it is the Holy Spirit that convicts, isn't He already present in the heart -- and therefore Christ?

Yes. John 6:44 "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day."

2. If all that is necessary is to believe, how is this different from James 2:19?

James points out that the demons believe; clearly belief is not enough. He also points out a case of faith without works: "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" James conclusion, in contradiction to the faith-alone heresy: "You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone."

3. Who determines the sinner's sincerity and thus the validity of their conversion?

God the Father who knows our innermost secrets determines the sincerity of the conversion, but a conversion without obedience to Christ is not valid. Matthew 7:21: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

4. What exactly does baptism accomplish in this construct? Is it merely symbolic ritual? ("outward sign of inward change" still doesn't explain the necessity).

It is not symbolic ritual, but a sacrament in which God changes us. Paul writes in Romans 6:3: "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

Cheers,
Bruce

Answer 4

Greetings to you in the Name of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. I wanted to encourage you in your search for answers--but also to remind you of an old saying: "Jesus said it, I believe it, that settles it." Jesus said in John 3:5 "...unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." Jesus said it... Matthew 28:19 the Lord tells us to go and baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Jesus said it...
Baptism is a holy ordinance and there's really no need to question it. Jesus said it... Many believe in the Baptism, the immersion and coming up out of the water identifies with the death, burial and Resurrection of Christ--never the less, Jesus said it, I believe it, that settles it. Be blessed in the Lord and the power of His might.

Answer 5

Every human being is born with original sin, the sin inherited from Adam and Eve. The only way to wash away original sin is through baptism. Baptism is also one's initiation into the Church, the body of Christ. Although it is true that there is salvation outside the Church, to belong to the Church, the fraternity of God's children, life and suffering would be easier to endure knowing that you have a support system that will help you at every turn. After all, we are all "our brother's keeper". Also, belonging to the Church and subscribing to the teachings makes salvation easier to attain as there already is a prescribed path to follow, one only needs to adhere to the path religiously.

Answer 6

It is necessary. And it needs to be performed by the right authority. That is why Christ sought out John the Baptist. He has the authority. The first four principles and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ are faith, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. People that say baptism is not needed have absolutely no idea what the Savior taught.

Answer 7

The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit." God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.
Baptism constitutes the foundation of communion among all Christians, including those who are not yet in full communion with the Catholic Church: "For men who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in some, though imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church. Justified by faith in Baptism, [they] are incorporated into Christ; they therefore have a right to be called Christians, and with good reason are accepted as brothers by the children of the Catholic Church." "Baptism therefore constitutes the sacramental bond of unity existing among all who through it are reborn
Baptism seals the Christian with the indelible spiritual mark (character) of his belonging to Christ. No sin can erase this mark, even if sin prevents Baptism from bearing the fruits of salvation. Given once for all, Baptism cannot be repeated.

Answer 8

One key Scripture reference to being "born again" or "regenerated" is John 3:5, where Jesus says, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

I used to think it was all about asking Jesus into your heart but now I believe that you must also be baptised in water as well.

Answer 9

If Jesus is God Incarnate then faith must be lived and worship must take in the physical (sacramentals-water,etc)

Baptism or its grace is necessary

Answer 10

It is nesscerry for salvation just as Jesus commanded. Protestants say it is an outward sign to show others, would that not be boasting?