If salvation is by faith alone, why does Jesus teach that we must be baptized?

Question

In his final instruction to the disciples, Jesus said that both belief and baptism are necessary for salvation:

Mark 16:16: He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Jesus stated this requirement even more strongly, though with some ambiguity for modern readers, in his dialogue with Nicodemus:

John 3:5: Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit."

Early Christians always identified this verse with baptism, recognizing that we are born again and receive new life through water baptism—a fact that is supported elsewhere in Scripture (Rom. 6:3–4; Col. 2:12–13; Titus 3:5).

Answer 1

Actually, all you have to do is read what is actually written to begin to answer your question. Let's make a logic diagram.

. . . . . . . . . bap. . . . not bap.
faith . . . . . . life . . . . . . .?
no faith . . . death . . . . death

This is what Mat 16 *actually* tells us. What about the ? Consider the "good thief" on the cross beside Jesus. Was he baptized? *Possibly* he received baptism from John, but certainly he was not baptized as a Christian, & it is likely that he was not baptized at all. How did he "make it in?"

Most Christian sects, including the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) (which I know you support), allow for so-called "11th-hour" or "death bed" conversions. Such conversions are considered valid. Frequently in such cases there is no opportunity for baptism, obedience or good works - simply a declaration of faith (true Christian faith, F). Thus, the "good thief." Indeed, even the RCC acknowledges that "F alone" (some would use the term "becoming born again") is *minimally sufficient* for salvation.

The question is, what does a Christian do after establishing F?

http://www.biblegateway. com/passage/?search=john%2014:15;&version=49;
http://www.biblegateway. com/passage/?search=James%201:12;&version=49;

(Joh 14,:15, Jam 1:12)

These vv. show two things, namely
1) that those who love Jesus will obey (or keep) his commandments
2) that those who love Jesus are those who obtain eternal life

It is clear that the F of which we are speaking, that F which causes one to become "born again", can be considered to be inclusive of a love for Jesus (because it is through him that our sins have been forgiven and we have obtained eternal life). Personally, I find it difficult to "include" love in "faith" ("faith," by definition, does not include love), but there is no doubt that the F mentioned - in other words, the F that Jesus has died for our sins so that we might gain eternal life - naturally results in (demands?) love for him, who sacrificed his life for ours. In other words, if you *really* believe that Jesus was tortured in our place, you can't help but feel the love of gratitude for that selfless act. We see from these 2 vv. (and others besides) that this love, which results in salvation, demands obedience.

Next, consider this, v 4 onward, but especially v 20 (Jam 2)
http://www.biblegateway. com/passage/?search=james%202;&version=49;

Also, vv. 31 onward here (Mat 25)
http://www.biblegateway. com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025%20;&version=49;

We see from *these* vv. that, although salvation does not require good works, life as a Christian does! How can we reconcile this, if only F is required? The answer is, once again, the "death bed" conversion. Good works are *not* required - F alone can gain someone the grace of God and result in eternal life. However, once F has been obtained, clearly good works are *expected* if and when the opportunity for such arises!

What is the result of all this? How does one obtain eternal life?
1) F, minimally, is sufficient for salvation
2) Once F has been obtained, obedience is expected and should be a thing which all sincere Christians strive to achieve
3) Once F has been obtained, good works are expected and should be a thing which all good Christians strive to achieve

Or, to put it more simply, salvation requires
1) Faith (minimally)
followed by
2) Obedience and
3) Good works
the latter 2 points to the best of the Christian's ability.

Do we *have* to be obedient to obtain eternal life? No. Can a lack of obedience lead to a loss of eternal life? Absolutely! Ditto for good works.

Thus, the RCC teaching of faith, obedience and good works is a sound one, and scripturally based. The difference? The RCC teaches that obedience is to the RCC (which, in the estimation of the RCC, provides the true teachings of Jesus). Thus, on this issue, there should be no controversy between any Christian sect. The only controversy here is, which doctrines are those to which we must be obedient.

Jim, http://www.jimpettis.com/wheel/

Answer 2

I was challenged by this question a few years ago. I read the entire new testament and noted everytime baptism was mentioned. Half the time, when people made decisions to follow Jesus, they were baptized. Half the time it was not mentioned. Then I investigated what baptism meant in Jesus time. It was a method of identifying with a movement or commitment (John the Baptist offered to baptize those who were already Jews but felt the need to make a new commitment to the truth). Jesus said "Can you drink from the same cup I drink from?" meaning "Will you experience the same things I will experience?" Baptism indicates that I have died to myself and have been risen with Jesus. The actual life exchange comes first and is the significant event. I asked my "challenger" about this scenario: I found a Bible in a hotel room and after reading it decided that I need to commit my life to Jesus. Somehow I realized that I needed to be baptized. On my way to find a church I am killed in a car accident. Am I saved? He wasn't sure! But of course God knows my heart and knows my intentions, so I would be saved. Also there were traditions in the early church that baptisms were done on Easter-so many waited for that occasion knowing that they were still Christians.

Answer 3

It is a missunderstanding of Paul and/or the corresponding Gosple accounts to say that St. Paul contradicts Our Lord. He would not and does not. If it seems that way then their si something we are missing either ion the Gosple of teh letter of Paul. They would not both have been cannonized as Holy Scripture, if they contridcated each oither, must I bring up Jesus's lesson on a house divided? The answer is simple, it is through the free gift of grace that we are given the ability to do, to do the things the Lrod's commands in mt25:31-46. so, we are saved by His grace, because otherwise without it we would not be able to do these things. Grace unacted on is not salvific; it is like a returend gift. But since grace let's us do these things,; it would be more often occrurring thta those who say they have been saved by grace, but don't do these things are lying about the former; they never recieved the grace in the first place. We get grace via prayer the sacramnets just belongin to the church that Jesus founded proveds certain graces. No, St. Paul did not teach faith alone christianity nor did Jesus. The idea of it is absurd, it cxomes from trying to read and understand the Bible outside of the teachings of Holy Mother Church. It woudl be innnocent enough but it leads peopl astray, becsue it is easier then the whole enchilada, of true grace not only giving us the ability, but providedin the motivation, almost literally driving us to do these things. What is more a chirstain a memebr of the christain church universal can recieve grace and do these things, all the time being a sinner. That is stumbling falling going to caonfession recieving hte grace do for others etc. Faith alone how absurd, is that like "i've said the sinners prayer, I'm saved so let me eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die and go to heaven just becasue I believe. mt75689 - "Be careful" 1- you are talking to a catholic whjo has more knowlege understanig and grace then you can fathom 2- you admoinshed the asker without understanding the quesation or the scripture ie YOU don't know what you are talking about you are lost and blind. 3- go get your KJV trun it upsidedown and read it that way you would probably understnd it better You ahev no idea waht you are tlking about and btw heretic never never admonsih a catholic. Your answer said nothing it spoke only of you ignorance arrogance and your intrention to lead other's astry hereitc. Go eat a cracker, drink some grape juice and impress you frineds with you missunderstand of greek interpretaions of the aramiac that you have no understaning of. I repeat do not EVER admonish a catholic agin hereitc. Go get your pator. why don';t you try answeing the question. do yo know why because you don't even understand it. tehre is no life in you. Be gone. mt75689 - "Be careful", you remind me of a little leager going up to A-Rod after he's just hit the game winning home runn and telling A-Rod he had his bat upside down.

Answer 4

The only way you're going to resolve this is if baptism carries the same weight as circumcision in the Old Testament. The rite is a sign of God's ownership of his people, a sign and seal of his covenant with his own. Otherwise it becomes basically a little charm that you wave around, showing everybody that you've done something to merit heaven on your own. And you are left with a commandment of Christ, that isn't so important after all if faith is all we need for salvation. That makes for a huge disconnect, and so many rules as to its application that it becomes almost pharisaical in nature. Please don't fall into that trap, baptism is a mark that Christians should be desperate for when they gain a relationship with the Lord.

Answer 5

I don't know that the word water in your John reference means baptism. Have you seen 1 John 5?

1 John 5:6 - This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.

And if you consider the verse that follows John 3:5, Jesus explains exactly what water is: Flesh

5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

Answer 6

Faith is a word of action. Therefore if you have faith you will then be baptized as part of the process of salvation. If you have faith you will be committed to obeying the commandments and baptism is a commandment. The Bible also states that works are necessary (James 2).
OUT

Answer 7

Many people in Christendom have the same fundamental misunderstanding about baptism. This comes from the reformation heritage of Protestantism that is rooted in Sola Fide (“faith alone”). This was a reaction to the abuses of the Catholic church in teaching that you must earn salvation through meritorious works, penance, indulgences, etc.

The New Testament definitely makes it clear that salvation is centered in our faith. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” How much clearer could Paul be?

Because baptism is a physical act (physical water, physical dunking, etc.), it is misperceived by many folks as a work, as something separate and apart from faith.

Now, you have to look at the context to understand the meaning of the word “work.” Romans 4 tells us that Abraham was justified by faith apart from works, but James 2 tells us that Abraham was justified by faith and works. The two different writers were just using the same word to mean two different things. Even belief is called a work in John 6:29, so you have to look at the context. A work (in Eph. 2) is something that you do to earn salvation. I need to underline that word “earn.” There have always been people who think they can earn salvation by doing enough good deeds (which, of course, you can’t).

The thing is, baptism is presented in the Scriptures, not as a work to earn salvation, but as a response of faith—as an act of submission.

And just as a side note, the only place in the Bible that says “faith alone” is in James 2:24 which says “not by faith alone.”

======================
Edit:
There is good evidence that the "water" in John 3:5 refers to the waters of baptism.

First of all, the immediate context. In the next paragraph after our text, we find Jesus and John the Baptist baptizing people (John 3:22ff). I think Nicodemus probably would have thought of John’s baptism.

Second, we find the New Testament writers commanding baptism for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), to be connected with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Rom. 6:3-5), for entrance into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13), to be clothed with Christ (Gal. 3:27), and for salvation (1 Pet. 3:21). There is a reason why every conversion in the book of Acts is with a baptism (check it).

And third, the early church understood Jesus to be referring to baptism here. I found a bunch of quotes from early church fathers who lived in the first few centuries such as Justin Martyr, Iranaeus, Tertullian, and Cyprian, who used this passage to show that baptism is necessary.

In fact, William Wall says of this passage, “There is not any one Christian writer of any antiquity in any language but what understands it of baptism . . . I believe Calvin was the first that ever denied this place to mean baptism. He gives it another interpretation, which he confesses to be new.”

Answer 8

He has His reasons, and that is good enough for me. Who are we to question God?

You are right, that it is not a requirement of salvation. If it was, the guy on the cross who Jesus promised "Today you will be with me in paradise" could not have gone to heaven.

Salvation does not require baptism, but Jesus asked us to symbolize his death, burial and rising from the grave by being baptised (full emmersion) as a witness of our faith in Him!

Answer 9

Believers, believe there are only two ordinances for the Church regularly observed in the New Testament in the following order:

Baptism, which is the emmerison of the believer in water whereby he obeys Christ's command, sets forth his identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
[ Matthew 28:17-20 ]

The Lord's Supper, which is the memorial wherein the believer partakes of the two elements, bread and wine,which symbolize the Lord's body and the shed blood,
proclaiming His death until He comes [ 1 Corinthians 11:17-34]

Answer 10

Reason why we have religious studies...

Remember that Jesus most often talks in parables, metaphors and the like,... He's the greatest philosopher of all times. Other philosophers who came after Him, qouted His words. We must then remember that Jesus pertains to water several times... turn water into wine,... water of eternal life,... and etc.

We all get baptized, symbolically with water and spiritually with the Holy Spirit. When one realizes his faith, in humility, he will ask to be baptized....

Once baptized then he will live accordingly in his faith in Christ.

I think it goes hand in hand... Because if one claims he has faith yet has not gone to be baptized then how can he verify even within himself that he believes in that faith.

Faith entails all things... Humility, Hope, Sincerity and Love.