Is baptism a work?

Question

Please add verses to support your answers.

I should clarify. There are passages that say that we are not saved by works. I want to know if baptism is a work or not.

Answer 1

Yes, and an essential one required for salvation. Even Jesus who was holy and sinless was required to be baptized in order to fulfill all righteousness.

The works that Paul criticized were the empty rituals under the Law of Moses... animal sacrifices, ritual washings, circumcision etc., which were often done by the Jews in unbelief, and done in blind ritual.

Baptism is a rite of living faith... the means God chose for us to show Him we have repented of our sins, accept Him as our Savior, and desire to have our sins washed away.

If you refuse baptism you are rejecting the commandments and examples of Christ... and have not really accepted Him. Those who say they accept Christ but refuse to keep His commandments (which Baptism is one of them) are just offering lip service and are seeking cheap grace which does not really exist.

Answer 2

as in a good work? an act of charity? NO. It does nothing "for" anyone else.

For adults and immersion baptism (dunking), is a public profession of faith and repentence of sin.

In cases of infant baptism, it is a covenant that parents make with their church to raise that child in the church, and the church agrees to support the child spiritually. In churches where infant baptism is not recognized...and many don't...then a baby can be presented or dedicated to the church by his parents, and blessed by the minister and the church. Similar ceremony but it is distinctly NOT a baptism because these churches believe that you can only be baptized when you are old enough to request it.

Answer 3

Baptism is a Sacrament.

Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist are sacraments of Christian initiation. They ground the common vocation of all Christ's disciples, a vocation to holiness and to the mission of evangelizing the world. They confer the graces needed for the life according to the Spirit during this life as pilgrims on the march towards the homeland.

Answer 4

Well, it's not so much of a work as a pretty cool promise that we get to participate in. Too many verses about circumcision to possibly list, but if baptism replaces circumcision, God's people, rather than "cutting off their sins," are now pointed to Christ's atoning sacrifice. Why wouln't a Christian want to be a part of this?

Answer 5

ill tell you thruth about baptism snice no one wants to baptism came from the bible but man this will start baptism little children but sin doesnt start when your you grow older because when your a baby.one thing what does a baby have no sin he doesnt even know hes alive also a baby cant kill a baby cant rob so thats why jesus baptis 30 years

Answer 6

Technically yes. The definition of work is the expenditure of energy. So then, baptism, just ask any pastor who has ever baptized anyone, is in fact a work.
I hope this helps.
I Cr 13;8a

Answer 7

Of course it's an action, it's not an idea anyway.
It's the sacrament that provides grace and faith to those who receive it.


Is the sinner's prayer a work and receiving Christ? And according to hard line Protestants you are all unsaved because the sinner's prayer is a work as is receiving Christ.

When Paul talks about works he is meaning the Pharisaical keeping of Jewish laws.

Answer 8

Everything that we do out of obedience is a work so yes baptism is a work. Baptism is the Biblical way of publicly proclaiming your new faith in Christ and your commitment to follow Him. The action of being immersed in the water illustrates being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection. Being baptized is identifying yourself with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4).

Baptism is not what saves you. Baptism does not wash away your sins. Baptism is simply a step of obedience, a public proclamation of your faith in Christ alone for salvation. Baptism is important because it is a step of obedience – publicly declaring faith in Christ and your commitment to Him.

Answer 9

It is a purely symbolic act. Before it got started during Biblical times, people were lucky if they bathed once a month because it meant getting to a river or other body of water. So priests of those days demanded that people be bathed clean before they worshiped God (would you want to,lead a bunch of smelly people in prayer?). Since then, religion has added ceremony and glorification to what was once, taking a bath. You'd be surprised at how many religious people, don't know the history of religion.

Answer 10

The only necessary work is to receive Christ, if that can be called work. Anything else doesn't save. So, I believe baptism is a work.