Topic(s):  Baptism, Salvation

Todd Clippard

The Bible does indeed teach the necessity of baptism in order to be saved. Mark 16:15-16 clearly affirms this as it reads, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." KJV

1 Peter 3:21 says baptism saves, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but as an appeal unto God for a pure conscience. Therefore, baptism is the means by which man appeals to God for the pardoning of his sins.

Acts 2:38 joins baptism to remission/forgiveness of sins, as does Acts 22:16.

There are many other passages that so teach.

Additionally, there is no reference in the New Testament to any children receiving baptism. The passage in Mark 16:15-16 instructs us that one must be capable of believing the gospel message that is preached before he can respond to that message in baptism. Acts 8:5-20 speaks of men and women believing and being baptized. Again, 1 Peter 3:21 implies one must be old enough to realize his soul has been defiled by sin, and in response to this, make a conscious appeal unto God for pardon.

Colossians 2:12 says in baptism we are raised in faith in the operation or working of God who raised Jesus from the dead. This would require some knowledge and maturity on the part of the one being baptized.

Little children do not need to be baptized because they have no sin, either inherited (Ezekiel 18:20) or actual (Matthew 18:3, James 1:13-16).