IS WATER BAPTISM ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION?
In a previous article we noticed the truth on Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38, and the truth of how to call on the name of the Lord in salvation. We continue this week in noticing how a misled preacher has tried to offset the truth on several other passages of the scripture as well on this subject.
1. By Stating that John 3:5 does not have reference to baptism at all. John 3:5 states, "Jesus answered, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." This man affirms that "water" in this passage does not refer to literal water but is used figuratively. Sometimes "water" is used figuratively as in John 7:37, 38 where it states, "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water"'. Notice that the Lord here says "living water". The adjective "living" modifies the water here as figuratively used. No such modifier is used in John 3:5. Was Peter telling the house of Cornelius how to be born again when he said, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have"? (Acts 10:47). Then he commanded Cornelius and his household to be baptized in the name of the Lord (Vs. 48). Remember that it was the Lord that said a man had to be born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:5) and here is an explanation of it - calling the water part baptism. Now the Spirit's part of this new birth comes by being taught the inspired word as well as accepting and obeying the same. As Peter later by inspiration explained, "Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit, in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart. Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." (I Peter 1:22,23).
2. This misled preacher also said that the gospel does not include baptism. Why did Peter command it then as is shown above in Acts 10:47, 48? Why did Jesus himself say, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved" in Mark 16:16? Why did Peter on Pentecost, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit tell pricked in the heart people to "repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins?" (Acts 2:38). Paul, who said he preached the gospel (I Corinthians 15:1-4), in showing how he and the Romans had responded to that Gospel said, "therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:4).
3. This man tried to make out baptism as no part of the gospel by referring to Paul in I Corinthians 1:17 saying, "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect." But Paul had baptized Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas at Corinth (I Corinthians 1:14-16). Paul in this passage was arguing that he did not baptize in his own name but in the name of Jesus Christ. His main purpose was to preach the gospel. Those responding could be baptized by Timothy, Silas, Luke or others working with Paul at the time. He said, "I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, Lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Beside, I do not know whether I baptized any other." (I Corinthians 1:14-16). He was trying to get the Corinthians to not follow men but the Lord Jesus Christ. The church at Corinth had divisions among themselves over the men that taught them. Paul is saying that teaching someone the gospel is the thing that is important. The people at Corinth, "hearing, believed and were baptized" (Acts 18:8). The essentiality of that baptism was shown in I Corinthians 12:13, "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free - and have all been made to drink into one Spirit." This same misled preacher tries to say that I Corinthians 12:13 is Holy Spirit baptism. He is wrong again because Jesus only baptized the apostles and Cornelius’ household with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4; 10:44 - 48; 11:15). Jesus promised it to the apostles to guide them into all truth and the Jews were convinced that the Gentiles had a right to the gospel was the reason Jesus baptized Cornelius and household with the Holy Spirit. Notice also that Cornelius and household were not saved by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them. They still had to be baptized in water in the name of the Lord.
4. This misled preacher tries to say that the one baptism of Ephesians 4:5 is Holy Spirit baptism. He affirms that the only baptism that saves is Holy Spirit baptism. It is amazing then that it did not save Cornelius and his household. They still had to be baptized in water in the name of the Lord. And by the way, which baptism is the one in the name of the Lord, or the name of Jesus Christ? It is water baptism according to Acts 10:47, 48. It is also water baptism as seen by the example of the Eunuch of Acts 8:37, 38. The Eunuch being baptized was the result of Philip preaching Jesus to Him. (Acts 8:35). Wouldn't that be the same as preaching the gospel to him? The text being explained had to do with the trial and crucifixion of Christ. In preaching Jesus to the Eunuch somewhere in that sermon had to be a reference to his need to be baptized. He would tell him what Jesus said in Mark 16:15, 16. When they came to a certain water the Eunuch asked why he couldn't be baptized and was told that if he believed he could. He confessed his faith in Christ and was baptized in that water. The Eunuch went on his way rejoicing because he now had the assurance of being saved. His salvation rested on the fact that he believed, confessed Christ, and was baptized. Mine and yours rests upon those same requirements.
5. I noticed that this misled preacher did not refer to the salvation of Saul of Tarsus. Usually these people say that Saul was saved on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). Saul had the Lord to appear to him on the road to Damascus but the Lord said, "for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness" (Acts 9:16). What did Saul do to be saved? Ananias told him, "Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). He did. (Acts 9:18) C. D.