The following are a series of essays that I posted on Aug. 9, 1995 in Note 756.31-44 of "Christian_V7," an online employee interest form hosted at the former Digital Equipment Corporation, then uploaded to the web in 1997. Please note that during the two decades following this, I have further refined and matured my understanding of the issues involved. Please refer to what I have subsequently written. Also, the fact that this article is written mostly in the negative (i.e. "scripture does not say...") does not reflect what I do believe about water baptism, and should not in any way be construed as minimalizing its significance. The purpose of the article is only to refute a specific false doctrine. Is water baptism necessary for one's salvation? ----------------------------------------------- When discussing the issue of baptismal regeneration, it is important to keep in mind that the scriptures are the highest authority in the matter. So we should go to the inspired writings of the bible to see what God has to say (or what God doesn't say) on the matter. I will proceed on the assumption that something so essential to our very salvation ought to be spelled out in the scriptures in no uncertain terms. If the scriptures are vague and uncertain about a particular matter, then I will assume it is not essential to our salvation. The Boston Church of Christ (a.k.a. Multiplying Ministries) movement, the mainline "Church of Christ" non-denomination, some factions of the "Christian Church" non-denomination, and several pseudo-Christian cults teach that water baptism is essential to one's salvation. A collection of supposed proof-texts is given, usually beginning with Acts 2:38. -< Acts 2:38 and "water" >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The word "baptize" is a transliteration of the original Greek word , which simply means "immerse." By "transliteration," I mean that the original Greek word was modified to create a like-sounding English word. But the word actually means "immerse." Now, usually "immersion" implies some sort of liquid, such as water. But not always. Consider the following as two examples: He was immersed in water. He was immersed in the story he was reading. In the scriptures, we find that where the word "baptize" is used, there are at least three things a person can be immersed into: Baptism (immersion) in water. Baptism (immersion) in the Holy Spirit. Baptism (immersion) in (the body of) Christ. Sometimes the scriptures are explicit about the type of baptism (immersion). Other times it is not. Let's see what Acts 2:38 says (and doesn't say) on the matter: "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized (immersed), every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" (Acts 2:38) As can be seen, the verse touted as the prime you-bet-you're-salvation proof-text does not even mention water. Now let's review what John the Baptist said: "'I baptize (immerse) you in water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize (immerse) you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.'" (Matt 3:11) And a few days before Peter's Pentecost speech, Jesus said: "'Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized (immersed) in water, but in a few days you will be baptized (immersed) with the Holy Spirit." (Acts 1:4-5) If water was the main point of Acts 2:38, then it would have been specified in no uncertain terms. Rather, there is something more important than water which John the Baptist and Jesus taught about. Let's not lose sight of it. -< Acts 2:38 and "for" () >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consider the following two English phrases: 1. I have a warrant for your arrest. 2. I have a gift for your graduation. In the first case, the word "for" implies a cause-effect relationship. The "warrant" is for the purpose of obtaining the "arrest". In the second case, the word "for" implies a different relationship. The "gift" is given *on account of* or *as a testimony to* or *because of* the "graduation". Those advocating baptismal regeneration point to Acts 2:38 as a proof-text that one must be baptized in water in order to obtain forgiveness of sins. Let's see what Acts 2:38 says: "Peter replied, 'Repent and be immersed, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" (Acts 2:38) Those advocating baptismal regeneration make the assumption that the word "for" (Greek ) makes the forgiveness of sins the result of being immersed in water. This is both unprecedented and inconsistent with the rest of the Bible, which teaches the forgiveness of sins that comes as a result of what Jesus did, not us. -< Acts 2:38 : Baptizing each for the many? >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What does one person's baptism have to do with the forgiveness of another's sins? Hopefully we all should agree that the answer is "nothing". Let's take a close look at what Acts 2:38 says: Petros de pros autous metanoesate kai baptistheno : ekastos humon epi to onomati Iesou Khristou eis aphesin ton hamartion humon kai lemphesthe ten dorean tou hagiou pneumatos" Peter tells the crowd in attendance to repent. He commands that "each" of them should be immersed. What is it which is "for" the forgiveness of the crowd's sins? The repenting (of the crowd)? Or the immersing (of each of them)? Or both? The point is that it cannot be the latter, so therefore it must be the former. The conclusion: Repentance must be associated with the forgiveness of sins, while the directive to be baptized can be associated with neither. Logically, those advocating baptismal regeneration want Acts 2:38 to read as follows: {repent and let each be baptized} ==> for the forgiveness of your sins Grammatically, however, we are forced to read it as follows: repent {and let each be baptized} for the forgiveness of your sins | ^ +--------------------------------+ One rendering links repentance with being baptized. The other holds the "be baptized" as parenthetical within the phrase. Once again, that the latter (and admittedly, more awkward) rendering must prevail is because each of them cannot be baptized for the forgiveness of the sins of all of them. -< Mark 16:16 >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark 16:16 is another proof-text used by those advocating baptismal generation. Let's look to see what Mark 16:16 says (and doesn't say): "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16) Q: What does Mark 16:16 say about those who believe and are not baptized? A: Nothing. Q: What does Mark 16:16 say about water? A: Nothing. So Mark 16:16 can be added to our list of scriptures that don't teach that water baptism is necessary for one's salvation. -< 1 Peter 3:21 >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next in the line of proof-texts used by people advocating the doctrine of baptismal regeneration is 1 Peter 3:21. "...who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also -- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 3:20-21) Clearly, 1 Peter 3:21 says that there is a baptism that saves you. But what kind of baptism? To begin with, there is no water mentioned in connection with the "baptism that now saves you". Only water in connection with the Flood. In fact, the wicked who were immersed (i.e. baptized) in the Flood drowned, whereas Noah and his family were merely sprinkled and survived! In any case, "water" doesn't symbolize water, so we should be looking for some greater principle or truth which the water does symbolize. If that weren't enough, the apostle Peter goes on to emphasize that the "baptism that now saves you" is *not* the removal of dirt from the body, which is literally what the ceremonial washing of Jewish baptism was. Rather, it is the "pledge of a good conscience toward God" which saves you. And so in conclusion 1 Peter 3:21 does not demonstrate that water baptism is necessary for one's salvation. -< Acts 22:16: Baptism, washing, calling >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next, let's consider Acts 22:16, another alleged proof-text that is supposed to demonstrate that water baptism is necessary for one's salvation. "'So now, what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'" (Acts 22:16) To begin with, this is a testimony by the Apostle Paul relating the events of his own conversion, not a generalized doctrinal statement about baptism. Furthermore, water is not mentioned in this verse. "Baptism" is mentioned, but not water baptism. "Washing" is cited, but not washing with water. Finally, one has to consider whether "wash your sins away" is to be associated with the directive to be baptized, or the directive to "call on his name." Obviously, those advocating baptismal regeneration want the "baptism" to be water baptism, the "washing" to be with water, and the washing away of sins to be the consequence of the (water) "baptism." But they have to read all that into the verse. This was an exhortation by Ananias to Saul (soon to be known as the Apostle Paul). Saul, a highly educated pharisee, would have been familiar with the words of the prophet Joel: "Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." (Joel 2:32), and would repeat the exhortation to those he discipled: "Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13). So we can add Acts 22:16 to our list of verses that don't prove that water baptism is necessary for one's salvation. For anyone who still supposes that "washing" always has to be with water, I'll leave you to ponder the meaning of the following: "They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb." (Rev 7:14) -< Col 2:12: "Buried with him in baptism..." >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next let's examine Col 2:12, and see if it proves that baptism is necessary for our salvation. "In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead." (Col 2:11-12) Advocates of baptismal regeneration usually only cite verse 12 in their presentation. I have included verse 11 to give us a bit more context. Once again, there is no mention of water in connection with the above "baptism." And verse 11 shows that we are dealing not with something that men do, but rather something Christ did for us. The parallel is clear: There is a circumcision of the flesh, and then there is the circumcision of the heart. But it is the circumcision of the heart that counts. Likewise with baptism. So Col 2:12 does not demonstrate that water baptism is necessary for one's salvation. -< Romans 6:1-7 "Baptized into death" >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Next let's examine Romans 6:1-7 and see if anything there demonstrates that water baptism is necessary for our salvation. "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin -- because anyone who has died has been freed from sin." (Romans 6:1-7) Now where's the water here? This language is so figurative that it is hard to conceive of it otherwise. For those who insist that the baptism being spoken of must be literal immersion into water, then how do you explain being literally "immersed into death"? And for that matter, into Christ's literal "death"? And literally "buried with him"? Literally "crucified"? Our "old" bodies literally "done away with"? And how do you reconcile literally being united with Christ (future tense) in his literal resurrection (past event)? Or the idea of being a literal "slave" to an impersonal principle ("sin")? So Romans 6:1-7 does not prove that water baptism is necessary for one's salvation. -< John 3:5: Born of water and the Spirit >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit" (John 3:5) Baptismal regeneration advocates often cite the above verse out of its context in an attempt to prove that being baptized in water is necessary for salvation, and that it is at this point where one receives the Holy Spirit and is born again. For sure, no one can deny that water is mentioned here. But look what isn't mentioned: Baptism. So right away we can add John 3:5 to our list of scriptures that don't teach that water baptism is necessary for salvation. Now let's put the verse back in its context and find out what the discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus is really all about: "In reply Jesus declared, 'I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.' 'How can a man be born when he is old?' Nicodemus asked. 'Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!' Jesus answered, 'I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, "You must be born again." The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." (John 3:3-8) Now one can see that it is quite obvious that the "water" mentioned refers to our natural birth from out of our mother's womb. This also poses a dilemma for those advocating baptismal regeneration: The thief on the cross wasn't baptized in water, but was saved. This fact they write off based on the premise that baptism was not instituted yet, since Jesus had not died yet and the Christian church hadn't started yet. But if this is the case, then why is Nicodemus not likewise exempt at the time of this encounter with Jesus? -< Concluding remarks: His work, our faith >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have now cited the main verses used by those who would have us believe that being baptized in water is necessary for salvation. As can clearly be seen, none of them support this doctrine. Once again, there is no earthly action on our part which is necessary for our salvation. The only significant action is that which Jesus did: He shed his blood and died for us, paying the penalty for our sins on the cross at Calvary, nearly 2000 years ago. And so we are justified before God on account of our faith in the Lord Jesus and what he did on our behalf. Our faith, his action. Let no one lose heart: Jesus saves, and nothing else and no one else does. Do not listen to those who would deter you in any way from "the faith, once for all entrusted to the saints." (Jude :3) -< Bibliography: All references to baptism in the Bible >- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Greek transliteration: baptizo baptisma baptismos baptistes bapto NIV G/K # : G966 G967 G968 G969 G970 Strong's # : G907 G908 G909 G910 G911 --------------------------------------- ----- NIV translation : baptize/ism/ist, [ceremonial] wash/ing dip MT 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea MT 3:6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. MT 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? MT 3:11 "I baptize you with* water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. MT 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. MT 3:14 But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" MT 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. MT 11:11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. MT 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. MT 14:2 and he said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him." MT 14:8 Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." MT 16:14 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." MT 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. MT 21:25 John's baptism--where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or from men?" They discussed it among themselves and said, "If we say, `From heaven,' he will ask, `Then why didn't you believe him?' MT 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in* the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, MK 1:4 And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. MK 1:5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. MK 1:8 I baptize you with* water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." MK 1:9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. MK 6:14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying,* "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him." MK 6:24 She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" " The head of John the Baptist," she answered. MK 6:25 At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: "I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter." MK 7:4 When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.* ) MK 8:28 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." MK 10:38 "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" MK 10:39 "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, MK 11:30 John's baptism--was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me!" MK 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. LK 3:3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. LK 3:7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? LK 3:12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?" LK 3:16 John answered them all, "I baptize you with* water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. LK 3:21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened LK 7:20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, "John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, `Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?' " LK 7:29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. LK 7:30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) LK 7:33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, `He has a demon.' LK 9:19 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life." LK 11:38 But the Pharisee, noticing that Jesus did not first wash before the meal, was surprised. LK 12:50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! LK 16:24 So he called to him, `Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' LK 20:4 John's baptism--was it from heaven, or from men?" JN 1:25 questioned him, "Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" JN 1:26 "I baptize with* water," John replied, "but among you stands one you do not know. JN 1:28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing. JN 1:31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel." JN 1:33 I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, `The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' JN 3:22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. JN 3:23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. JN 3:26 They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan--the one you testified about--well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him." JN 4:1 The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, JN 4:2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. JN 10:40 Then Jesus went back across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing in the early days. Here he stayed JN 13:26 Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. AC 1:5 For John baptized with* water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." AC 1:22 beginning from John's baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection." AC 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. AC 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. AC 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. AC 8:13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. AC 8:16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into* the name of the Lord Jesus. AC 8:36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"* AC 8:38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. AC 9:18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, AC 10:37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached-- AC 10:47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." AC 10:48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. AC 11:16 Then I remembered what the Lord had said: `John baptized with* water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' AC 13:24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. AC 16:15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. "If you consider me a believer in the Lord," she said, "come and stay at my house." And she persuaded us. AC 16:33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. AC 18:8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. AC 18:25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor* and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. AC 19:3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?" "John's baptism," they replied. AC 19:4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." AC 19:5 On hearing this, they were baptized into* the name of the Lord Jesus. AC 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.' RO 6:3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? RO 6:4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 1CO 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into* the name of Paul? 1CO 1:14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 1CO 1:15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 1CO 1:16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 1CO 1:17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 1CO 10:2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 1CO 12:13 For we were all baptized by* one Spirit into one body-- whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 1CO 15:29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? GAL 3:27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. EPH 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; COL 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. HEB 6:2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. HEB 9:10 They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings--external regulations applying until the time of the new order. 1PE 3:21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-- not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge* of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, REV 19:13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.