which denominations believe baptism is necessary for salvation

This is not an absolute and hard and fast rule, but nevertheless often accurate. Baptism publicly acknowledges one's confession of faith and belief in the gospel message. This is actually a confirmation of the need for baptism: Christ used Himself as an example for baptism and people were baptized in His name with His approval while present on the earth. God perhaps does not visit the iniquity on the first generation of sinful people, but perhaps on a later generation of sinful people. It is also telling that every single translation, even the interpretive translations, translate Acts 2:38 as for as a statement of purpose. John 1:30-34, John 4:1-2). What verses are commonly used to support the necessity of baptism for salvation? Both infants and Hebrew converts were circumcised. If you make baptism a requirement for salvation, you also require a baptizer, adding someone to the salvation that comes through Christ alone. Let us examine these arguments, beginning with disputations about the Scriptures involved: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned (Mark 16:16). He said believe. So, any interpretation which comes to the conclusion that baptism, or any other act, is necessary for salvation, is a faulty interpretation. We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is: who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways. Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Christian denominations differ widely in their teachings about the purpose of baptism. Notice, for instance, that the exile of Israel and Judah are carried out not under faithful kings like Hezekiah or Josiah, but unfaithful kings, Hoshea and Zedekiah (2 Kings 17-18, 25). This reality is illustrated, in particular, by Paul in Romans 6:4: We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life. No one would argue that Jesus is saying here that His blood is shed because your sins have been remitted. Why, then, should Acts 2:38 be any different? The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him (Ezekiel 18:20). "Baptism is the outward expression of calling on the name of the Lord in faith." Here's the second thing I would say: Paul treats baptism as an expression of faith so that the decisive act that unites us to Christ is faith, and it is expressed outwardly in baptism. The main difficulty in this argument is found in the meaning of the Greek word baptizo: to immerse, submerge, to make overwhelmed (i.e. Why would someone who disbelieves be baptized? They would not consider it! The key word here is beginning. And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. Original sin, then, is not consistent with the entire witness of the Scripture (Psalm 119:160). It would appear on the surface that we have a contradiction between these passages: some say that sons suffer the iniquities of their father, and some say that each soul suffers for their own sins. 28:19). And he said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in Paradise, (Luke 23:40-43). Argument: Peter is preaching to the Jews, and his message is only relevant for the Jews. Miracles | Probable Future of Non-Believers in Christ | Pre-Mortal Existence of Man Romans 10:9. Peter in fact affirms the efficacy of baptism. Etymologically, the term means "being born again" (regeneration, or . The major difference between New Testament teachings and the teachings of many denominations concerns the nature of baptism. Shall we believe from this that every single inhabitant of Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordan river area came to John? Therefore adult baptism is the only true baptism and is done by immersion or affusion. What other questions or applications did you take from the reading. In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul states that "Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel," thus clearly differentiating the gospel from baptism.. Generally speaking, most Christian denominations believe that baptism is necessary for the forgiveness of sins and to fully enter the Christian faith. However, upon examination, baptism is found to occur after conversion and is not in any way a cause or part of it. Take, for example, Acts 10:44-47. It is the act of God through the grace of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. It should be preceded by repentance, which simply means change. That change is the turning from our sin and selfishness to serve the Lord. It is not necessary in the same sense that a sign is not necessary to arrive at a destination. Repent of your sins, believe in Jesus Christ's death and resurrection to save you, be baptized, and do good works for the rest of your life. This text should not be pressed to say what it does not say. Answer: We can see here a classic example of inferring an answer despite the fact that one has been given. Answer: This argument is based upon an assumption about the term household. Within the texts in question, Acts 10:2 and Acts 16:24-38, we also read the following about these families: a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always (Acts 10:2). It is also possible to read in iniquity and in sin in Psalm 51:5 as David saying that he was born in a sinful world, not that he himself actively had sin against him from birth. Baptism, then, is not necessary to be saved. Retort: 1 Corinthians 12:13 indicates that we are all baptized in the Spirit. The Churches of Christ proclaim Salvation Occasion Baptism. Although he spoke of baptism, he said: 'I thank God that I baptized none of you lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name' (1 Corinthians 1:14-15)." "Baptism is a conclusive act of obedience and witness to the world that we are Christ's. I believe in it wholeheartedly. Argument: Baptism requires a baptizer. They are in a state of innocence. Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible. The Scriptures testify that one submits to baptism having believed in Jesus Christ, confessing His name, and repenting of ones sins (cf. Retort: Many times baptism is mentioned without water. Answer: First of all, we should note that the term baptizer is foreign to the New Testament after discussion of John the Baptist. In some denominations, baptism is administered in three parts: one is dipped three times under the water, once each in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Denomination: Salvation . Regardless, the Scriptures show also that the punishment of sin is only for those who sin: The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin (Deuteronomy 24:16). The context demonstrates that Pauls point is about the unity of Christians, how Christians are to work together in one body; therefore, Paul is not speaking about the nature of baptism per se, but that when we were immersed in water, we did so by one Spirit and were brought into one Body. He has served over eighteen years in pastoral ministry, and currently serves as a chaplain and professor at Handong G More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. We see here that not only do none do good, none even know God. Do the Scriptures teach that baptism is only a spiritual action? Argument: Baptism does not automatically mean that one is immersed in water; it can mean, and does for Christians, that one is baptized in the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 59:1), and come to the realization of their need for salvation in Christ Jesus. They believe that a person must believe, repent, confess, and be baptized in order to be saved. Essentially, the Church of Christ believes that in addition to faith, baptism is required for a person to be saved. 2 Samuel 12). Baptism removes the shackles of original and actual sin. Argument: Jesus did not baptize anyone; therefore, why dont we follow His example? The thief died under the old covenant with a personal guarantee from Christ, realities that are not present for us today. Furthermore, according to the Gospels, Christ never baptized people. In the case of Acts 2:38, when it says, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, the word for would be better translated because of.1 Believers should be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ because their sins have been forgiven. But because salvation is of faith, and even our faith is a gift according to this passage (cf. The first premise for baptizing infants is an inference based on the content of some of the Scriptures. While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those who heard the message. During her career, she worked hard to validate the right of women to preach the gospel. Consider what occurred in Lystra in Acts 14:11-18: And when the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. Surely baptism is one of the most well-known of all the Christian "sacraments." One major church takes it's name from John the Baptist. With both verses, after closer inspection, it is clear that neither teaches baptismal regeneration. Argument: The thief on the cross was saved, and he was not baptized. We are to preach the rule, not dwell on some ludicrous exceptions. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven., And he sat down, and called the twelve; and he saith unto them, If any man would be first, he shall be last of all, and minister of all. Acts 9:18, Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33, Acts 18:18, etc. Above all, "once saved, always saved" is simply not part of our theological vocabulary or world-view. Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9, and Acts 2:38), and that one is baptized for the remission of ones sin (Acts 2:38). Find out where these faith groups intersect and where they diverge or decide which denomination lines up most closely with your own beliefs. It would be rather odd to try to argue here that Paul does not value baptism, considering that he confesses that he baptized no fewer then three persons in Corinth. As we have seen, in order to sin, one must need to know the difference between good and evil and choose the evil. Furthermore, the idea that the Apostles were baptized is rendered more plausible by the evidence in John 4:1-2: When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples). Required fields are marked *. Argument: Cornelius was saved before baptism. By all accounts, baptism was a singular immersion done in the name of (or by the authority of) the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20). Many churches, following Catholic custom, "baptize" infants at their "christening" by sprinkling a few drops of water on them in an elaborate ceremony. In both Greek and English, the word for can mean either "in or- der to get" or "because of." Those who teach that baptism is necessary for salvation interpret the word for in Acts 2:38 to mean "in order to get." Another possibility is that the word for in Acts 2:38 . The fruits of the Holy Spirit are traditionally listed as charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity. John 3:16, 6:40; 1 John 4:14-15, 5:5, 5:10. For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospeland not with clever speech, so that the cross of Christ would not become useless. The reason for his hesitance in baptizing people is found in verse fifteen: lest any man should say that ye were baptized into my name. Before exploring the purpose of baptism in the Christian life, it's important to gain an understanding of its meaning. There are some denominations today that teach that baptism is not a physical action that should be performed; instead, they teach that when Jesus and the Apostles mention baptism, they are speaking about a spiritual act. Baptism is for Remission of Sin and is Necessary for Salvation. Answer: Since no statement to this effect can be found in Acts 10 or any other passage, to understand and respond to this argument, we must understand the underlying assumption driving it: if one has the Holy Spirit, one must be in a saved state. 1 Corinthians 15:2-3. Argument: The Apostles were not baptized, yet they were certainly saved. Anabaptists: Their belief is that baptism is not necessary for salvation, but is instead symbolic. Presbyterian churches follow some common practices for baptism, including the belief that baptism by immersion is not necessary. This is the immersion that saves. In many passages it is clear that baptism in the Spirit is not under consideration. We also recognize that the New Testament provides illustrations of the significance of baptism, as can be seen in Romans 6:3-7: Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? After all, it is likely that the one with whom you speak is near plenty of water, and the only hindrance would be a lack of faith or understanding in his or her need to be immersed in water for the remission of their sin. At the same time, baptism is an indispensable part of Christian life (Rom. Or were ye baptized into the name of Paul? The difficulty, then, is not that the Corinthians were baptized or not baptized, or that Paul was to baptize or not to baptize, but the attitudes of the Corinthians and their tendency to exalt the men who worked with them. This spiritual act is not physical nor has any form of physicality. It is ironic that the Westminster Confession of Faith (1646; Church of England, Westminster Assembly) is not on or easily found on their websites. Therefore, we see that Christ died on the cross for our sins and to perform the Fathers will, which was for His Son to humble Himself so that He may be exalted and given all authority. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them. Baptist has the core belief system intact. 6:3-4), Christian identity (Gal. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. Every group recognizes the need for belief, and Paul says that belief can come only when one hears the Word of God. Catholics view baptism as a sacrament, and rather than simply a symbol of new life, they believe baptism is used by God as a means to communicate grace. Paul did not wish to baptize the Corinthians so that no one would think that there was any power in Paul, since the power was in Christ. And he said, Into what then were ye baptized? Answer: This argument presupposes that since the baptism of the Apostles is not revealed in the Scriptures that it did not happen. Water is poured in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Often established by individual pastors or communities, non-denominational churches go by many different names and hold a variety of beliefs. Yet who would claim that Caiaphas was saved? Let us examine the passage that Paul quotes in Romans 3:10ff, Psalm 53:1-3: The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none that doeth good. Therefore, other examples in the Scripture when persons submit to baptism (cf. It is also argued when people read the declarations of Paul in Romans 3:10 and 3:23 that because all are not righteous and all have sinned, therefore, children are also a part of this group: as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.. Adult baptism takes place after their conversion experience. Baptism is the application of water to an adult, child or infant by an ordained minister in the presence of a church congregation. How they worship: Traditional style through liturgy; contemporary liturgy is possible. Answer: Let us consider 1 Corinthians 12:13: For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. If a person is not baptized, he/she is not saved. Argument: Mark 16:16 is invalid because textual evidence shows the text to possibly be a later addition. John's baptism anticipated Christian baptism. Many Christians believe that baptising cleanses people from . Think of the thief on the cross who placed his faith in Christ and was promised by Jesus he'd go to Heaven. A few denominations consider baptism a form of exorcism from evil spirits. Thus, baptism ensures entrance into the church community. With all that said, as with any verse, we must compare it to what the rest of Scripture teaches on the subject. Argument: 1 Corinthians 1:14-17 shows that baptism is not valid for today: Paul did not baptize, and Paul said to imitate him as he imitated Christ. 3. The text never says directly that anyone inherits actual sin from Adam; it does say that sin entered the world because of the transgression, and that death was its consequence, but never that we actually inherited sin. By no means!