Topic(s):  Baptism, Salvation, God's Will

Todd Clippard

This is a very important question, and the answer to it has eternal significance. The following is a brief list and explanation of several New Testament passages pertaining to the purpose and result of baptism.

In Mark 16:15-16, Jesus said "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." From this text, Jesus said the purpose of baptism is to save the soul. Baptism is the proper response to hearing and believing the gospel. Peter said "baptism now saves you" in 1 Peter 3:21.

Baptism is the means by which one becomes a disciple: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20). The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:26). Therefore, baptism is the means be which one becomes a Christian.

Baptism is the place where the washing away of sins takes place: "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord' (Acts 22:16). Baptism is also here identified as the means by which one calls upon the name of the Lord (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13). Revelation 1:5 says we are washed from our sins in the blood of Jesus. Therefore, it must be through baptism that the blood of Jesus is contacted.

Baptism is the place where remission of sins takes place: "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). "For the remission of sins" means "to receive remission of sins," as Jesus said He shed His blood "for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26:28). This verse also shows us that it is in baptism that we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Baptism is the means by which one is justified by God's grace: "But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:4-7).

Note the phrase, "He saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit . . ." "Regeneration" literally means "new birth." So the new birth involves a washing, and it is accompanied by the work of the Holy Spirit. (Compare with previous notes on Acts 2:38)

This is what Jesus meant when He spoke of being "born again" in John 3:3. Jesus explained what being "born again" meant in John 3:5 - it is being born of water and Spirit. Note the presence of washing (baptism) and the Holy Spirit are found in all three texts.

Baptism is the means by which one expresses his faith in God to forgive. Colossians 2:12 says we are buried with Christ in baptism and raised through faith in the operation of God who raised Jesus from the dead. (Compare with Romans 6:3-11.)

Colossians 2:12 also explains how we receive the circumcision made without hands described in Colossians 2:11. Circumcision was the covenant God made between Himself and His people. Baptism is God's covenant for men today to become His children. It is in baptism that we are recognized and identified as children of God.

Finally, baptism is for the purpose of being in Christ: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galations 3:27). I must be "in Christ" to be a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). I must be "in Christ" if I am to be a partaker of all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3). There is no condemnation for those who are "in Christ" (Romans 8:1). Thus, baptism is vital to receive all these benefits.

There are additional passages and other benefits of baptism that could be listed, but these should be sufficient to show the absolute necessity of baptism for men to be saved today.