The Act of Baptism Is Not Just an Act

By Jamey Hinds

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6:5)

Any discussion about baptism is probably going to lead into an argument concerning whether or not it’s necessary at all to be forgiven our sins. I would quickly go to Acts 2:38 where the apostle Peter, on the Day of Pentecost, answered the question: “Brothers, what shall we do?” It’s quite interesting (and challenging to modern theology) that Peter did not say: “There’s nothing for you to do but believe!” It’s also interesting that Peter’s first word in reply was: “Repent.” And the apostle Paul would agree with the urgency of repentance when he preached to those in Athens: “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:30–31).

The answer the apostle Peter provided—by revelation from God (2 Peter 1:20–21)—was not argued against as we read that “those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).

The act of baptism is not just an act—it is done for the salvation of one’s soul. And the soul is that part of us that will survive the grave (John 5:25–29). Theologians may argue against baptism, but Jesus himself said: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

Allowing the Bible to serve as its own commentary, there’s a parallel line of thought to Mark 16:16 found in Luke 7:29–30—

… the tax collectors … declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.

Those who were baptized “declared God just,” but those who “rejected the purpose of God for themselves” were not baptized. Why weren’t they baptized? Because they did not believe.

Faith is crucial to salvation: “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Somehow many have come to believe the false teaching that baptism and faith are set in opposition. Two passages I’d suggest for us to consider that should set this false doctrine aside: Romans chapters 4, 5, and 6 (where Paul writes about faith, grace, and baptism) and Colossians 2:12—“having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”

Again, faith is crucial to our salvation—so much so, that if one is baptized without believing, they would merely be getting wet. Isn’t this the point of Mark 16:16? He who believes and is baptized will be saved. The conjunction “and” joins belief with baptism. The one doesn’t save us from sin without the other.

And by the way, faith is said to be a work of God by Jesus himself:

“Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent” (John 6:27–29).

Why did the apostle Peter command Cornelius to be baptized? (Acts 10:48) Peter didn’t suggest they had already been saved, and therefore baptism would be “kinda cool” to do to show their salvation. Peter commanded baptism, because without it, they would not have been forgiven their sins.

Peter also wrote the following: “When God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:20–21). Baptism now saves us—as an appeal to God for a good conscience! It’s the only way offered by God to mankind (Titus 2:11–14; 3:3–7).

Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:5–6). Paul agrees with Jesus—“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:5–6).

The truth is found in what God says, not in what people think it says, or think it should say. In other words: God said it, that settles it. Always. “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).