For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

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

But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then heng allowed Him. Matthew 3:15. 

On Being Baptized

I was ritually cleansed of my sins today,
Symbolically reborn into the Father’s love.
I humbly accepted  His covenant  
with responsibilities and rights thereof.

As I broke through the baptismal water,
I felt my life fully at one with God.
With my heart overflowing with gratitude,
I think I heard the angels applaud.

God help me to always be grateful
That I was adopted into Your family.
And to never take for granted
The grace You have given so freely.

May the completion of this sacred sacrament
Remind me that redemption came at a price.
And may I always live in humble gratitude
For the transformational blood of Jesus Christ.
Linda Troxell © 01/20/2022

On Baptism

More than once I’ve overheard Christians debating some finer point of Christianity, such as “What did Paul mean by Spirit when he referred to praying in the Spirit in Ephesians 6:18? praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints  Ephesians 6:18

At some point, both parties run out of steam and the discussion has to come to an end. However, no one wants to concede their point, so one or the other will declare, “Well, it isn’t salvational anyway.” What in the world does that mean? 

The dictionary defines salvational as of or relating to salvation. So, whatever they are debating isn’t salvational unless it’s about faith or grace, believing in your heart or, confessing with your mouth. Those are the only four elements necessary for salvation. So, I’ve come to the conclusion that it must be a face-saving way to say, “I’m tired, let’s call it a draw.” 

It’s the only way I could make sense of it. If one is  a Christian there is no question about what is or isn’t “salvational.”  It is spelled out in the Bible quite plainly. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9. It’s a foregone conclusion. Therefore, a debate about what is and isn’t salvational is an exercise in futility. Because a foregone conclusion is not debatable. Right? Well maybe not.

With further consideration, I had to get off my high horse and stop looking at the world from only my perspective. I need to be careful about climbing up on that horse, it’s a long and painful fall from there. Yes, the Bible has more than 100 scriptures found in all 4 gospels, most of Paul’s Epistles, Acts, and even Revelation, stating that it is by our faith and God’s grace that we are saved. Still, many Christians, possibly all Christians at some time, have difficulty grasping this.  

Now, with my feet back on the ground, I realize it should be no surprise when someone is confused about what the Bible says and what it means. While all of those verses do say we are saved by faith through grace, there are verses that seem to say something else, as well. And it can be difficult to believe that it is all that easy. 

It just seems too easy, so we think something more must be required to gain salvation. Thus the debates are attempts to sort out and understand what more we need to do. We are a generation used to bait and switch. Something that easy is just too easy for our brains to make sense of. And so it’s suspect. 

But after thinking about it for a while, I wonder if the real problem is that the average Christian is confused about the differences between salvation, justification, and sanctification. Why wouldn’t they be? Those aren’t topics typically heard from the pulpit on Sunday. And I’ve never herald a pastor teach about any of them.   

Certainly, I’ve heard each element referred to separately in sermons, but I’ve never heard an explanation of any of them. I had to teach myself. It’s complicated, and believe me, it wasn’t so easy to sort out. However, confusion about our salvation isn’t the only confusion among Christians. 

There is also frequent debate about the necessity of baptism. And it is another topic rarely heard from the pulpit. And so the confusion remains.  When I first became serious about my faith and I was deciding whether or not I would be baptized, I did some research to find out if it is foundational to salvation. 

I needed to know if I had to be baptized to ensure my salvation.  Everything I read told me that I didn’t. From simple pastor to seminary Ph.D., they all agreed that baptism is not a necessary part of salvation. And of course, they are correct. As far as they take it. But I don’t think they take it far enough. 

know if baptism is not part of our salvation, why is it held to be so important. If the reasons we should be baptized are apart from salvation, what are those reasons?

I found no shortage of articles discussing why we might want to be baptized even though it isn’t required for salvation. But every one of them cited only one reason and it is the same reason. We should be baptized because it is important as a public profession of our newfound faith, our first act of witnessing, as it were. And while I believe that is an important function of baptism it wasn’t enough to satisfy me.  

My reading of the Bible suggested to me that perhaps Jesus wanted us to, maybe even told us to be baptized. In one place I read the assertion that while being baptized doesn’t determine our salvation, not being baptized is to be disobedient because while it is not in itself a saving act, it is an act that points to the saving work of Christ on the cross. I don’t know about that.

Before I could make a truly informed decision I needed to know, apart from salvation, did Jesus want us to be baptized? I could find only one lonely article in which my question was addressed. I was surprised because I believe this is a key element of any informed decision about the necessity of baptism.  

Baptism is more than a public announcement that we are now a follower of Christ. By being baptized we are affirming our faith in public. But we are also being affirmed as a disciple of Christ. It brings responsibility with it. It is a promise that from that day forward we will walk as Christians striving to live our lives as Jesus lived His. 

But the baptism ceremony is about more than proclaiming our faith in Jesus Christ. It’s a statement that we identify with His death, burial, and resurrection. As we are dunked into the water and raised up again It is a powerful symbol of being buried with Christ in death and being raised again with Him in a new life. 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

It’s true that baptism is not required for salvation because it takes place only after one has been saved. But it is just as clearly an important act. In the Bible, baptism is always tied closely to salvation and without question, it is a righteous act. It is a sacrament that holds importance in most churches.  

It’s evident that Jesus’ baptism was an important part of God’s plan. It must have been quite an experience. As John the Baptist baptizes Jesus, the Holy Spirit descends as a dove landing on Him. At the same time, God’s voice booming from heaven claiming Jesus as His son. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:16-20

However, one has to wonder, why Jesus was baptized at all. He was sinless and certainly didn’t need baptism. When He asked John to baptize Him John was confused and He balked saying he, John, should be baptizing Jesus. But Jesus told John it was necessary for righteousness. But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then heng allowed Him. Matthew 3:15. 

Of course, John was confused. He had been traveling around the region to announce the coming of Jesus and baptizing for the forgiveness of sins. But Jesus had no sin so why would he even need to be baptized? But He did as He was asked and Jesus’ baptism accomplished important things. 

It was with His baptism that Jesus began His ministry bringing Him one step closer to fulfilling all righteousness. When God spoke as John dunked Jesus in the Jordan, it revealed the relationship between Father and Son and firmly established Jesus as the Son of God. Directly after His baptism, Jesus headed into 40 days of temptation in the desert

That Jesus chose to be baptized makes a powerful statement about baptism. Still, it’s true that Jesus never actually said baptism is necessary for salvation. But in Mark 16:16 he came close. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. He expressly linked both believing and baptism with being saved in the first half of the sentence, but He did not link baptism to condemnation in the last part.  

That does not mean He doesn’t care whether or not we are baptized. We cannot overlook the strong indication that He finds baptism important. Important enough to link it to belief which determines whether we are saved or condemned. The question then becomes, does that strongly indicate that He wants us to be baptized?

It’s a question we must each ask ourselves. And if the answer is yes, there are two necessary follow-up questions we need to answer. If we know Jesus wants us to do something and we choose not to do it, is that willful disobedience? The last question, I think, is less personal and more doctrinal. We must ask can I be willfully disobedient and repentant at the same time?  

It is not for me to answer any of these questions for anyone but myself. It certainly is not my place to say what should be done in response to any answer. I think, however, they are important questions that need to be answered when one is weighing the necessity of baptism in their Christian walk. 

The Bible often links baptism closely with salvation, however, it remains clear that it isn’t baptism that saves us; only Jesus saves us. Still, answering the questions is important for each of us. Why? Because if we believe that Jesus wants us to do something, and we refuse to obey, our salvation may be secure, but can we say the same for our relationship with Jesus? Does that seem harsh? The truth often seems harsh.

Harsh or not, we need to understand this question for ourselves because our obedience to God may be tied to it. And while, as I said above, there are over 100 scriptures throughout the Bible telling us that we are saved by grace and faith alone, there are also plenty of scriptures throughout the Bible that seem to say that being saved requires baptism. 

For example, in Acts 2:38, Peter said this… “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.” Acts 2:38. In 1 Peter 3:21, he said, “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” 1 Peter 3:21 

There are many, many more but you get the point. If you want to see more please just Google “Scriptures about baptism,” or consult your Bible’s concordance. I really wish that when I was

seeking the opinions of experts, they would have been a bit more even-handed and pointed out some of the scripture that might raise questions. Even though I chose to be baptized, and I think I would still choose to be baptized, I also think it’s important to have all of the information. 

I hope this is informative to all my readers, but even more, I hope it helps someone who is contemplating the need to be baptized. An informed decision requires all possible information bearing on the decision. Withholding information in an attempt to influence someone, despite good intentions, is dangerous. The truth always prevails and truth has a way of always coming to light, When it does the person from whom the information was withheld will probably be quite angry.

Let’s Pray

Father, understanding what you do and don’t want from us can be confusing. There is so much information available, however, it can be difficult to understand. The answers are all in your Word, of course, but that too can be difficult to understand. But Lord, I believe that if we make an honest attempt to search out all information, and if we prayerfully read your word and in prayer ask you for discernment, we will find the answer we are searching for. We know that you read our hearts and know our minds. So, you always know if we are doing the best we can with the best intentions. If we are, I believe you will give us grace. Please, Lord, let the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight for you are our rock and our redeemer. We pray this in the sacred name of Jesus, Amen. 

Points for Pondering or Prayer
Or
Perhaps for Putting Pen to Paper

Q. Have had, or do you currently have, difficulty accepting that our salvation is as easy as believing— our faith and God’s grace, that’s it?

If you have had that difficulty, or perhaps are still having it, what are the other things your head tells you must be done in addition to believing?  Make a list and then see if you can find scripture to support each of the items.

Q. Have you been baptized?    If you have, was it your idea and desire that initiated it?

Q. If you did initiate it, what were your reasons for being baptized?  Did you feel that it is part of being a Christian?  Write a bit about how you came to be baptized.

Q. How do you feel about what Peter said in 1 Peter 3:21 and Acts 2:38? Does one or either make you feel that perhaps God wants us to be baptized and He expects it of us? 

Write a bit about why or why not.