Even though a careful study of the New Testament shows baptism for the remission of sins to be a condition of salvation, many people teach it is not. If a person is honestly seeking the salvation of his soul, though, he will strive to do what God commands even though it may seem contrary to the thoughts of men. Man has never had, nor will he ever have, the right to bind any of his conditions or loose any of God’s. And one of God’s conditions for salvation, as stated in the Gospel, is baptism.

Baptism: A Part of God’s Plan

By noting just three passages of Scripture, baptism is readily seen to be an integral part of God’s plan for the redemption of mankind.

Matthew 28:18-20. “Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go there-fore 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.’”

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Mark 16:15-16. “And He said to them, ‘Go 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.’”

Acts 2:38-39. “Then Peter said to them, ‘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.

For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’”

Jesus is speaking in two of these Scriptures while the apostle Peter, being guided by the Holy Spirit, is the speaker in the other. In each passage baptism is stated as being necessary for salvation. Since God’s word is truth (John 17:17), since truth cannot conflict with truth, and since these three passages are found in God’s truth, where does that leave those who claim that it is not necessary for a person to be baptized to be saved? It leaves them holding onto a doctrine that cannot be true because it teaches exactly the opposite of what Jesus and Peter taught in these verses.

Consider what the apostle Peter wrote later in his life about baptism in 1 Peter 3:21: “There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism...”

It is plain to see, then, that baptism is essential to salvation. Seeing its necessity, we need to understand what it is and what it is for.

Baptism: A Burial in Water

Baptism, coming from the Greek word “baptisma,” means immersion or burial. It is a burial in water. It is not sprinkling or pouring water on someone but rather immersing the person’s complete body under water. This definition is supported by the use of the word in Romans 6:3-4 and Colossians 2:12. Both of these passages speak of being buried with Christ in baptism.

The things that the Bible says that baptism requires offer convincing evidence that it is a burial in water. According to the Gospel, baptism requires:​
 

• Much water (John 3:23).

• Going down into water (Acts 8:39).

• A coming up out of water (Acts 8:39).

• The likeness of a birth (John 3:5).

• The likeness of a burial (Romans 6:3-4).

• The likeness of a resurrection (Col. 2:12).

The Purpose of Baptism

As for the purpose of baptism, Acts 2:38 says it is “for the remission of sins.” When Ananias, the preacher who was sent by God to tell Saul of Tarsus, who would become the apostle Paul, what to do to give obedience to the Lord, he said, “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).

Remember, Romans 6:3-4 states that in baptism one is baptized into the likeness of the
death of Christ and then is raised to walk in newness of life. What makes one new? It is the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7). His blood flowed at His death. When one is baptized in the likeness of Christ’s death, he comes in contact with His cleansing blood, his sins are remitted, and he is saved (see also 1 Peter 3:21 and Hebrews 9:14). Without baptism, the blood of Christ is never applied, hence, that person’s sins would still be retained and he would remain lost because of them.

In one’s primary obedience to the gospel, baptism is the culminating step that saves him. The person who meets all the previous conditions—hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17), believing in Christ and God (John 8:24; Hebrews 11:6), repenting of past sins (Acts 17:30-31), and confessing Jesus as the Son of God (Romans 10:10)—and is then baptized:

• Is saved from sin (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:16-18).

• Puts on Christ (Galatians 3:27) where all spiritual blessings are (Ephesians 1:3).

• Becomes part of the body of Christ, being added to the church (1 Corinthians 12:13; Colossians 1:18; Acts 2:47).

• Becomes a child of God (Galatians 3:26-27), a member of the family of God (1 Timothy 3:15).

• Is put into the kingdom of heaven under Christ’s rule (John 3:5). If one is going to be saved, he must heed the command of the Lord to be baptized.

Life After Baptism

When one is baptized, as in the figure of the new birth in John 3:5, he is “born of water and the Spirit.” With this new birth, he becomes a babe in Christ who is to long for spiritual milk so that he can grow spiritually (1 Peter 2:1-2). What is this spiritual nourishment that builds up the Christian? It is the word of God (Acts 20:32). The
Christian must abide in it if he wants to remain a disciple of Jesus (John 8:31). One’s knowledge of
this word, if applied, will keep him faithful unto death and reward him with a crown of life (Revelation 2:10).

Following baptism, then, one must commit himself to Christ as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:2), allowing Christ and His word to live and reign in Him (Galatians 2:20). To ensure his success he will constantly gain more knowledge of the Bible and apply it to his life every day in order to grow closer to God and to be more like
Christ. At the end of his days upon this earth, he will have an eternal home in heaven.

Conclusion

What about you? Have you done those things God would have you to do for the salvation of your soul? Can you anticipate having heaven as your home? If you cannot answer “yes” to these questions, you need to act swiftly to make your life right with God. Do not delay. The apostle Paul said, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Do not neglect the great salvation offered to you by Jesus.