Christian Living
In other words, does a person have to have been water baptized before they can be saved? There are certain groups as well as individuals in Christendom who believe that a person must be baptised in water in order to be truly born again. Are they right? Does the Bible teach such a thing?
First up, let's look at one of the many Scriptures about how a person is saved:
Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
This Scripture teaches us we are justified by 'faith' in God. 'Faith' according to Hebrews 11:1 is; 'the substance of things hoped for, the 'EVIDENCE' of things NOT SEEN!' 'Works' are things that can be 'SEEN', and therefore 'faith' and 'works' are two separate, different and distinct things, even though they attest to each other. 'Faith' is not water baptism! Water baptism is an 'EXPRESSION' of faith, but it is not 'faith', it is a 'work' of faith. 'Faith' according to James 2:20 is 'SEPARATE' to 'works', yet 'ATTESTED TO' by works, and therefore once again 'faith' and 'works' are 'SEPERATE' and 'DISTINCT' from each other. Now that's a mouth full, be sure to look up the scriptures given, and re-read this section again until you understand it. Don't get me wrong here, I am not downplaying the works of faith such as water baptism. Rather, I am clearly defining the fact that 'faith' and 'works' theologically are not the same.
But true faith will be 'REVEALED' through Biblical fruits (works) such as water baptism. Therefore, a person is 'justified' (to render innocent and righteous, free), or 'saved' through 'faith' in Christ alone, independent of water baptism. Now that's inarguable, concise and solid interpretation of Romans 5:1. But if you're still not convinced, the Bible actually puts the magnifying glass on what I have just written regarding 'faith' and 'works' being separate itself:
Rom 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? Rom 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. Rom 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Rom 4:4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Rom 4:6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Rom 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Rom 4:8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Rom 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. Rom 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. Rom 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
Without doubt 'water baptism' is an outward physical expression. It is a 'work' or 'fruit' of faith, but it is not faith itself. 'Faith' is 'spiritual substance' that comes into the hearts of people from God, and once appropriated towards Christ for salvation, a person is then justified without works such as 'water baptism'. Verse 11 gives us the example of another physical expression, which a man showed to testify of his faith before the New Testament, called 'circumcision'. What it clearly teaches us is, 'circumcision' was an outward symbol OF FAITH, and a man was clearly justified BY FAITH before he entered into performing such an action as circumcision.
This is what Paul is communicating in the passage above, to clarify this argument of distinction between 'faith' and 'works' in the New Testament. Circumcision, under the Old Covenant is an equivalent of the Christian baptism in water under the New Covenant, of which Paul is clearly declaring that a man is saved by 'faith' ALONE, and not 'works'.
Alright, now that we know 'faith' and 'works' are two completely distinct things, let's take a look at a Scripture that seems to allude to 'water baptism' as a prerequisite for salvation:
Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Well, that's clear enough isn't it? Verse 16 states clearly 'he that believes, AND is baptized shall be saved'. And furthermore these are the words of Jesus Christ, surely they have more weight than the rest of the Bible right? Wrong! The entire Bible is the words of Jesus Christ, in fact they are Jesus Christ (John 1:1-14), and not one part of it is any less or more so, here look at this next scripture:
2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
So now we see the entire Word of God (the Bible) is given by the inspiration of God, therefore the entire Word of God must be consulted before establishing a doctrine about subjects such as 'baptism in water' and 'salvation'. This scripture goes on to teach us, the whole Bible is profitable for 'doctrines', as well as 'reproof and correction'. To put it simply, there will need to be some correcting and reproving of people who don't consult the entire Bible before establishing a doctrine. And in the case of those who teach, 'a person must be baptized in water in order to be saved', continue to sit back and get ready to be corrected again as I have already done so above. Don't make this mistake again, for what you are teaching is so dangerously heretical and inconsistent with Scripture that I am concerned for what else you might think the Bible says. Read and study the whole Bible before establishing a doctrine, and even then, allow some theological challenges to come your way to see if it stands up in the face of scriptural disagreement. For the record, and just so you know I practice what I preach, I have many times allowed myself to be taught by those who claim 'a person must be water baptized to be saved'. I have read their statements, their articles, looked at their Scripture references, read their commentaries, listened to their arguments, listened to their sermons, and gleaned through the best of Scripture they have to constitute such a belief, allowing myself to be corrected if need be. What did I find? I found they don't consult the entire Bible and dangerously misinterpret a few Scriptures. I found they negate the majority of clear inarguable Scripture regarding the doctrine of 'Soteriology' (the study of Salvation) without giving an answer to it.
Now for Mark 16:15-16. I absolutely love this Scripture, it is one that I preach on regularly, and for reasons of which I am about to explain, but firstly, let's take a look at it from our topic in question. This Scripture seems to speak very definitely, however, once again, it is not above the rest of the Bible and therefore we simply cannot interpret it without the rest of Scripture. The rest of the Bible teaches MUCH MORE DEFINATELY, as we have already seen, that it is through 'FAITH' a person is saved, 'WITHOUT' and 'BEFORE' water baptism. Thus to read into Mark 16:15-16 over the rest of the Bible is some seriously dangerous and heretical hermeneutics (principles of Bible interpretation), that no scholar of any decent repour could condone. Further to this, in order to make such a claim as 'water baptism is a prerequisite for salvation' one needs to have many scriptures to establish this point and then answer the MANY MORE that clearly contradict it.
When we take another look at Mark 16:15-16 it states at the end of verse 16 'but he that believeth not shall be damned'. Notice that it doesn't state 'but he that believeth not and is baptized not shall be damned'? It only takes 'unbelief' to damn you, just as it only takes 'belief' to save you. Surely Jesus would have clarified such a comment if water baptism were a pre requisite for salvation? If 'belief' and 'water baptism' saves you, then 'unbelief' and 'failure to be baptized' must then damn you!
But as we can see, it only takes to 'not believe' to be damned. Next, in the time that Mark was scribed, Christianity was not sanctioned by Rome and was therefore an illegal religion. Mark's Gospel regularly uses words such as 'immediately' and other similar words which would appeal to the action oriented Romans. As well as this, it has been said that John Mark's Gospel was written mainly for the information of Roman believers turning to Christ. Thus, those who were saved in Christ, being commanded to be baptized in water, were then seen to be 'Roman law breakers'. To do so meant the possible loss of a person's 'Roman Citizenship' and a great many persecutions, jail, and even death for them and possibly their family. This citizenship could only be obtained by birthright, grant or bribery, and the holder of such was entitled to a great many benefits. One such benefit was protection from neighbouring areas.
Can you imagine how many people would profess a simple undercover faith in Christ but deny being water baptized due to fear of Rome? Yet Biblical Christianity's roots and doctrines have been profuse in their outward and open living. I could say the prayer, but am I ready to suffer for Christ???? In Mark chapter 4 Jesus speaks about the stony ground hearer, he is a person who springs up quickly, but when persecution or afflictions arise for the Words sake, he runs away and brings no fruit to repentance (Mark 4:15-16). Here was an opportunity for a person to be proven in their commitment to Christ, for following the commitment of faith in Christ, water baptism was quickly performed. Would they love the world (Rome), or would they love Christ. To be a lover of the world was clearly a rebuke for anyone who called themselves a Christian (1 John 2:15), and one could not pledge allegiance to the both. Was Christ the Lord of the person's life, or was Rome??? In Mark 8:34 Jesus tells us the cost of following Him, He tells those who would dare to follow Him to deny themselves and take up their Cross obeying Him. Baptism in water is not an option, it is a command (Acts 10:48), and everyone knew that, but to do so was also to deny Roman law and possibly die for it.
Folk's, this is why I love this scripture so much! This scripture is not declaring that a person must be water baptized or they aren't saved, it is declaring that a person who has true salvation in Christ WILL obediently follow Christ's command to be water baptized, thus bearing the fruits of true salvation. Water baptism symbolizes the death of the old fleshly man, and the resurrection of the new man, who continues in the practices and obedience of the Christian faith with their life. The fruits of obedience to Christ (firstly in water baptism) then, would attest to the truth of a person salvation.
The message from Mark 16:15-16 is: 'DONT THINK YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN IF YOU SAY A PRAYER AND DONT FOLLOW CHRIST'S TEACHINGS WITH ACTIONS!', 'DONT THINK YOU CAN BE A CHRISTIAN AND NOT BE READY TO DIE FOR YOUR LORD', 'DONT THINK YOU CAN BE A CHRISTIAN AND BOW DOWN TO THE ROMAN EMPEROR AND WORSHIP HIM AS A GOD AS WELL', and 'DONT THINK YOU CAN BE A CHRISTIAN AND FOLLOW YOUR OWN WAYS'....... By their fruits you shall know them (Matt 7:20), no fruits, no Christian! Simple isn't it! And no doubts today, there would be many Churches and Ministries showing us how we can be Christians and yet never show it. But Mark 16:15-16 will always be a rebuke for such, and a testimony against them. Water Baptism is not the cause of salvation, but it certainly is the result of salvation.
Well, I hope you enjoyed the article and it has further strengthened you in your faith and Bible study, just remember it is by GRACE we are saved through FAITH and that NOT of ourselves, it is the GIFT of God (Eph 2:8).
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