Why do so many "Christians" think that baptism is not required for salvation?

Question

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Acts 2:38-41 Peter replied, "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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Acts 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.

SDW You said "find me a Bible translation that mentions baptism in either Romans 6:23 or John 3:16 and I will cede your point."
Does your bible only contain Romans 6:23 and John 3:16...Can't you read the rest of John 3 or is only verse 16 important? Matthew 3:13-17 Why must Jesus be baptized for all righteousness to take place? When did the spirit land on Jesus?

M-S ..you are correct the thief on the cross was not baptize, however, Jesus was still alive and directly told him he would have eternal salvation. People could not receive the spirit until after Jesus died, was buried and then resurrected, before that it was as John said a baptism of repentance. John the baptist was preparing the way, teaching people what needed to be done. Jesus gave us the example and we are to follow him.

Rath~ Do those verses imply baptism is not needed or that other things are important also?

Craig R. those verses make the point very clearly on their own. The problem is as you stated "If you read those verses with my understanding of baptism in mind all you see is confirmation that I'm right." Craig you need to read it as it says not from the viewpoint of any creed or doctrine you've been taught.
Paul said he was glad he did not baptize very many people because they were following the person who baptized them instead of Jesus. They were bickering and getting off track, you need to go read that a little closer.

kevin l ~ you are right about grace however baptism is not a work.

Titus 3:4--7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the WASHING OF REBIRTH AND RENEWAL BY THE HOLY SPIRIT(caps not meant as a scream or hollering), whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

John 3 tells you how to get that rebirth!

Answer 1

Actually, there's no clear question, but I'll just add another verse which adds that baptism is a pre-requisite to salvation:

John 3:3 and 5
John 3:3-5
(3) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

(5) Jesus answered, 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.

Answer 2

The verses you quote don't make your point. I believe that baptism should be an immediate response to salvation, but that salvation happens in a person's heart before they're baptized. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change.

If you read those verses with my understanding of baptism in mind all you see is confirmation that I'm right.

Paul said he was glad that he didn't baptize very many people. That seems rather odd if baptism is necessary for salvation.

Go back to the Bible and see if you can find some better verses to make your point. In the meantime the answer to your question is that we don't think baptism is required for salvation because it isn't taught that way in the Bible.

Answer 3

These all speak of baptism of the Holy Spirit which happens when one accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.

WATER Baptism is simply an outward symbol of that belief to those around them. You may be hearing them speak of water baptism and misinterpreting what they are saying.

God bless.

Answer 4

Yes, because at baptism is where we receive forgiveness for our sins (Acts 22:16) and the regeneration of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38, Ez 36:25). It's like going to the doctor. You might believe that the doctor can heal you, but if you don't actually go and use the medicine he provides for you then you still won't be healed. Mark 16:16: "He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned." I noticed some people ignored baptism altogether in Mk 16:16 by focusing on the part of the verse where baptism is not mentioned when talking about being condemned. I see that verse differently. Baptism was so important that it was included in the line to be saved. If baptism wasn't important then why was it mentioned at all? If all we had to do was believe then it should read "He that believeth shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemnted". But that is not what the scripture says. It says, "He that believeth AND is baptized, shall be saved". There is no making light of baptism in that statement. It is included as a requirement for being saved. The next statement saying, "he that believeth not shall be condemned", does not make reference to baptism at all so we can not conclude anything about baptism, one way or the other from that. But, we can infer that if someone doesn't believe they will not be getting baptized. In this belief is necessary for salvation. But with belief comes obedience. Belief is not separate from obedience. Christ commands us to be baptized and thus makes it a requirement for any true believer in verses like Jn 3:3 - 3:5 and Mt 28:19. Does Mark have to spell out baptism again in MK 16:16 after he just mentioned it in the requirement to be saved? If he did it would read, "He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not and is baptized not shall be condemned." But why would Mark have to do that? If I make a list of requirements where all of these requirements need to be satisfied in order for success then failing to meet even one of these requirements would be enough for failure. Therefore only one of the required elements, if missing, would be enough for condemnation to be true and therefore only one element needs to be mentioned. The fact that he only mentioned the faith requirement does not imply that it is the only requirement to be saved only that it is all that is necessary to be missing in order to be condemned. We can infer from this that it is an important and necessary element, perhaps the most important element in his list of requirements. But we can not infer from this that it is the only required element to be saved. ___ Edit: The thief on the cross never had an opportunity to be baptized as far as we know. He was saved because Christ saved him right there on the cross. Ultimately God saves us however he chooses because it is by grace that we are saved (Eph 2:8). And God can choose to save us however he wants. However, the normal way for salvation in scripture includes baptism. To cite an extreme example of a criminal who has no opportunity to be baptized and making that a rule, saying that it is not required for all who have an opportunity to be baptized, is an injustice. To reject baptism is to reject salvation. Had the thief on the cross lived and had the opportunity to be baptized he would have likely been baptized and thus he would have met that requirement. So in a sense you could say he had a baptism of desire.

Answer 5

Because it isn't.

Baptism is the traditional 'first act of obedience' to God for a Christian, but it isn't NECESSARY. Christians don't have to go to church, be faithful to their spouses, or be honest all the time to obtain salvation--they just won't mature as Christians unless they follow God's commands, including baptism.

This is the excuse used for infant baptism as well. Funny thing is that in the Bible, every baptism was a willing act that directly followed conversion--how can a baby knowingly and willingly convert to Christianity? Baptism is a symbolic act that is a physical representation of conversion, but in itself baptism does not ensure (nor does lack of baptism prevent) salvation.

You find me a Bible translation that mentions baptism in either Romans 6:23 or John 3:16 and I will cede your point.

Answer 6

I have to say I like the way you add details to the question.. the answer is simple,, people make all kinds of excuses why they cant follow or shouldn't follow JESUS example . Jesus although without sin was baptized as an example for us.
''why then would we or anyone refuse not to follow after the same manner our savior walked maybe they are not drawn to the Sheppard out of love but are as thieves trying to come in to the kindom other than through the sheep gate?, THE bible clearly says faith without works is dead james 2,; 13-15 17/ u see works follows our faith other wise its just lip service if we say welove jesus and he abides in us then our works would show this, galtions2; 29 I AM CRUICIFIED WITH CHRIST nevertheless I LIVE;; BUT NOT I ;; but CHRIST;; who lives in me .!!..IF CHRIST truly lives in the heart wont it show by your actions or works>? brother murray

Answer 7

Yes, baptism and salvation go together in the same way that circumcision went with conversion to Judaism in the Old Testament. So, this applies to infants and the entire household as being in the shadow of the cross. I agree 100% with the verses you've provided, and I believe that covenant theology supports your position very well.

Answer 8

http://www.scripturecatholic.com/baptism.html
http://www.scripturecatholic.com/baptism_qa.html

how baptism is conferred is maybe best seen in the book of acts, the first site explains the importance of baptism and the secon shows a discussion between a catholic and protestant concerning baptism.

i am roman catholic and scripture is clear on the importance of baptism. unbaptized people can be saved, for example infants that pass before baptism and those who are unable through no fault of their own to hear/receive the good news.

Answer 9

I always thaought that the washing away of original sin and the acceptence of Gods Light was the Only way into Heaven

Answer 10

There were a lot of great responses to your question. I would just add that verses such as Ephesians 2:8-9 teach that we are saved by grace not by works (such as baptism).