Does Paul see baptism as symbolic or as instrumental?

Question

In Romans, Paul makes an argument that we are justified because one man (Jesus) died for all. Then he introduces this rhetorical question:

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.—Romans 6:1-4 (ESV)

Technically, Paul is talking about regeneration ("newness of life"). Baptism makes an excellent symbol of the process of starting one's life over as if buried in the water and pulled out by the baptizer. But this passage also seems to make baptism instrumental in the process: "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that…we too might walk in newness of life." It would seem that baptism, therefore, is a vital cog in the mechanism Paul proposes for us to be right with God.

However, Paul only mentions baptism in three places including this passage. Colossians 2:2 seems a restatement of the Romans passage. Ephesians 4:5 merely notes that all Christians have one baptism among many other shared attributes. So this indicates that Paul, while not denying the value of baptism as a symbol, did not feel it was critical for being "born again", as Jesus called the process.

How does Paul intend for us to read his reasoning in Romans about baptism?

Answer 1

Oh, I think we have to believe that baptism is actually instrumental otherwise we render the scripture meaningless or worse a lie. For example,

1. Romans 6:3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
   Here Paul says that he was baptized into Christ and into his death. But this would be nonsense if Paul was already in Christ and already united with his death without baptism. Is it important to be in Christ and to pass through his death?

2. Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
   It makes no sense that Paul was baptized in order that he might walk in newness of life if he already was walking in the newness of life without baptism. Is walking in the newness of life important?

3. Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
   Again being baptized into Christ doesn't make sense if you are placed into Christ and put on Christ without baptism. Is it important to put on Christ?

4. 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.
   We could not be buried and raised with Jesus in baptism if we were already raised with Jesus without baptism. Is being raised with Christ important?

These are just the verses where the word Baptism is specifically used instead of merely being referred to. In order, for baptism to not be instrumental we must conclude that baptism does not do each of the individual things these verses say it does.
I'm just not willing to take this position.

Answer 2

Water Baptism

From various comments, I see that I need to start by defending the idea that Paul has water baptism in mind. The word Paul uses is baptizo <907>, which pretty much meant an immersion under water. In Acts we begin to see the prophesy of John the Baptist (John 1:19–34) that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. But we also see water baptism practiced right along side Holy Spirit baptism.¹

So there's a question as to whether Paul meant water baptism or some sort of spiritual baptism. I believe he intended water baptism because:

1. He didn't specify what kind of baptism and the default seems to be water baptism. For instance in Acts we read:

   “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.—Acts 10:47-48 (ESV)

   So these people have already had the Holy Spirit poured out on them and Peter commands that they be "baptized in the name of Jesus Christ" with water.

2. The point Paul is making turns on some similarity between the act of dying to sin and the practice of baptism. While I can think of some ways that spiritual baptism might fit, the symbolic drowning/burying of a new convert fits much better.

To me, the burden of proof must be on the position that Paul is not thinking of water baptism.

Instrumental?

But we are not compelled, therefore, to read Paul as requiring water baptism as a prerequisite for regeneration. John Piper suggests an alternate way to read this passage:

Now here's the analogy I would suggest to show that this language can be the language of symbol, not instrument: "All of us who have put on the ring of marriage have, by putting on this ring, forsaken all others to cleave only to our wives. Therefore by this ring I am united to my wife alone and dead to all others."

Now you could press the language and say, "Aha, it was the actual putting on the ring that caused your forsaking all others and your cleaving to Noel alone. You said it explicitly: 'By this ring, I am united to my wife alone.' What could be plainer? The ring does it all."

But that is not what I would mean by these words. I would mean that putting on the ring is a sign of my forsaking all others and cleaving only to her. The decisive leaving and cleaving is in the promise, the covenant, the vows. "I plight thee my troth." "I promise you my faithfulness." Then comes the ring, the symbol.

In that analogy, the vows stand for faith in Christ, and the ring stands for baptism. And the point is that we often talk this way. We often speak of the symbol as though it brings about what it only signifies.

In the context of the first five chapters of Romans, which maintains "we have been justified by faith", it seems unlikely that baptism would have a functional, rather than symbolic, role.

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Footnote:

1. I misspoke in the question: Paul doesn't talk much about the concept baptism, but he does talk extensively of the act of being baptized. In 1^st Corinthians 1, he tries to recall which of the Corinthians he did baptize and emphasized that he came to preach, not baptize. It's not clear form this passage if he's thinking of water baptism, however.

Answer 3

The short answer: "baptism" here is both symbolic and instrumental, but definitely is NOT referring to water baptism.

I submit that Paul is not referring to water baptism AT ALL, but something much greater. Since "the burden of proof must be on the [one who holds the] position that Paul is not thinking of water baptism", let me suggest five lines of reasoning to prove the Reformed position:

1. His words indicate baptism with something other than water, namely, death:

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death.

This is akin to the statements elsewhere in the New Testament which are clearly not referring to water immersion, e.g. John the Baptist's attestation regarding Jesus' baptism:

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He ... will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. [Matthew 3:11]

Paul uses this non-water sense of baptism in at least two places:

Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea [1Cor 10:1,2]

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. [1Cor 12:13]

This latter verse could be construed as "baptised with water into one body". But the Spirit doesn't use water for Baptism, He baptizes us with Himself; priests and ministers use water. That is not what Paul meant.

2. The whole tenor of his argument suggests something greater than water baptism.

The phrase in v.5, "baptism into death", is more reminiscent of his expression, "crucified with Christ"; crucifixion is certainly not symbolized by water baptism. But what Paul is referring to here is, in the next verse [6], the same as crucifixion:

knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him.

The real teaching of this passage is the believer's union with Christ, which, yes, is symbolized by baptism. But when Paul says "baptism" in this context, he is referring to that greater, mystical union that takes place quite apart from any work performed by the believer, including water baptism¹. In the phrase "united together in baptism" [v.5] the sense is being planted together, or grafted into Christ. That is the sense of σύμφυτος (sumphutos).

3. Paul never taught ceremonial works as effectual, either of justification or regeneration.

For one thing, this would contradict his express theme, "not of works". It would also contradict his pervasive emphasis on the blood of Jesus as the atonement for sin and the propitiation of God's wrath.

Many see the word "baptism" in this passage and interpret it as a teaching on water baptism, even going so far as to give water baptism the central role in regeneration. This is exactly the sacramentalist interpretation, viz., that God's grace is actually communicated VIA the water (or wafer or wine) to the believer. To the First Century believers, baptism was ONLY a sign of the new birth that had already begun in the believer. So baptism was never given to unbelievers. To suggest that water baptism begins or even aids the new birth is, in the words of the old saw, "putting the cart before the horse." The believer is already alive in Christ when he comes forward to be baptized. It cannot, then, be instrumental in Pauline theology.

4. Baptism, as a mere symbol, cannot make us united with Christ.

Rejecting his use of baptism as effectual isn't the whole conclusion. If he is referring to water baptism as a symbol, to suggest that a mere symbol is the thing that joins us to Christ, makes us one with all Christians, makes us new creations, raises us from the dead, washes away our sins and "seats us together with Christ in the heavenly realms" [Eph 2:6], is to suggest that the symbol is greater than the grace and work and blood of the Lord Jesus. This is not Pauline, and not logical.

5. To argue for water baptism in this passage goes directly against Paul's own view of the importance of baptism:

Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other.

It wasn't an event he recorded or even made a mental note of, "Because", he says,

Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel. [1Cor 1:16,17]

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_{¹ Unless you reject Paul's pervasive doctrine of sola fide, in which case there isn't much ground in discussing any of his teachings, on baptism or anything else.}

Answer 4

In Baptism you come into Christ and Paul made several comments that Baptism is how you come into Christ. On Pentecost, the Jews believed in Jesus but they were told by Peter they have to also repent and be baptized. Repentance is required and so is Baptism. They Baptised 3000 that day.

Answer 5

How does Paul intend for us to read his reasoning in Romans about baptism?

We see two presentations regarding baptism. The first is from Peter;

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This is consistent with what was described by Jesus for the disciples in expectation of the kingdom;

Mark 16:15-18 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Paul differentiates himself from Peter calling him the apostle to Israel and himself as an apostle to the gentiles;

Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

There are two reasons for considering Paul did not look at baptism as essential.

1. The “binding” that was placed on gentile believers did not include baptism.

Acts 15:19-20 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

2. Paul declared that it was not his ministry to baptize even though he occasionally did.

1 Corinthians 1:16-17 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

It is difficult from the writing of Paul to make a case that he viewed baptism as essential or critical for gentiles.

Answer 6

This is an old question, yet it's open, so may I chip in?

I think Lloyd-Jones was right on this point (his Romans 6 book), that Paul is speaking of the Holy Spirit's work of uniting us into Christ - "immersing" us into Christ, therefore making us participants in HIS death and HIS resurrection. This is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, though not in any charismatic sense.

We need to take Paul's word literally rather than turn resort to interpreting it as analogy (cf Piper above). Paul makes it clear that this baptism is critical for participating in Christ's death and resurrection. Water baptism is meaningful, but not essential for salvation. It IS essential, though, that the Spirit baptises us into Christ. Consider Romans 8:9-17...

9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you. 12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Ro 8:9–17). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Answer 7

In water baptism, you receive the holy spirit. On Pentecost the Jews believed, and asked what they must do and Peter said - Repent and be Baptised in the name of Jesus Christ and you will receive the gift of the holy spirit. They then Baptised 3000 people that day...water Baptism.

You must be born of the water and the spirit as Jesus told Nicodemus. They were Jews and they would understand this as converts to Judaism were required to be baptized in the Mikvah ( a bath for spiritual cleansing - and when they came out of the water they were considered a new creation and considered born again.

Answer 8

In Paul's thinking, the instrumental element in justification is faith. This is not to say that he discounted baptism as unimportant, but his purpose here is to emphasize that Christians must refrain from serious sins after baptism. Paul's teaching that justification comes through faith is shown in the following verses:

• For we hold that a man is justified by faith apart from works of law. (Romans 3:28)
• Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)

On the other hand, the point of Paul's writing about being buried with Christ through baptism is to argue that being baptized is not a license to sin. It is about refraining from sin AFTER baptism:

Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?... Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies, to make you obey their passions. Do not yield your members to sin as instruments of wickedness, but yield yourselves to God as men who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments of righteousness.

Clearly, Paul is urging his hearers to engage their free will to resist temptation after already being baptized. He uses the analogy between baptism and burial to emphasize that Christians should see resisting temptation as a life and death matter, not to imply that baptism is an instrument of justification - for in Paul's soteriology - justification is by faith alone.

Answer 9

Below, I will answer the question posted, and also rebut some of the other comments to the original question.

Paul is indicating in Rom 6:1-7 that water baptism is functional in our salvation. To begin with, he says in Eph 5 that there is only one baptism in the NT Church. But there are many baptisms mentioned in the NT, so which one is the "one" that Paul is talking about?

Matt 28:19 tells us that baptism in the NT Church is to be administered by a person. This is not "Holy Spirit" baptism (although He is certainly involved), nor is it the baptism in the cloud, fire, or Red Sea (all of which were administered by God alone).

Mark 16:16, which is a companion verse to Matt 28:19, says that the baptism that man does results in salvation.

1 Pet 3:21 tells us that baptism, which is an antitype of the Flood, saves us. Thus the baptism which saves us is in water, not fire, cloud, Spirit, etc.

Thus, the baptism by which we are saved is the baptism man performs in water.

Next, there are numerous other passages (most from Paul) that also express the functionality of baptism in salvation.

Col 2:11-14 tells us that the Holy Spirit cuts our sin from us (Spiritual circumcision) in/during baptism.

John 3:5 tells us that no one will enter the Kingdom of God unless he is reborn through water and the Spirit. Thus water baptism during which the Holy Spirit removes our sin.

Gal 3:26-27 tells us that we put on Christ in baptism. We become united to Christ, and thus clothed with Him in baptism.

Eph 5:26 tells us that we are washed clean and made spotless (from sin) by the washing of water with the Word. Thus, water baptism during which we are redeemed.

These passages do not contradict the passages that speak of us not being redeemed by works of the Law, because these are not meritorious works of the Law. Baptism has no meritorious virtue, but it is a command of God that He says "leads to/results in" receiving salvation from sin. Remember what Jesus told us about those who would be His servants in Luke 17:7-10; doing what we are commanded results in no praise from the Lord, it is just doing what we are told to do. The fact that He has said that He will forgive us if and only if we repent (Acts 3:19), and confess Him as Lord (Rom 10:9-10), and are baptized (Acts 2:38) does not make these works of the Law, nor works of merit. They are simply works of faith that He has promised to reward with salvation.

Answer 10

There is absolutely nothing symbolic about water baptism:

“Even baptism doth also now save us”

Is water baptism part of our salvation?

This question is one of the most important questions you will ever answer for yourself. I say for yourself because God says in Philippians 2:12

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

Working out your own salvation does not mean nor, does not give you the permission to come up with your own plan of salvation. But it puts the responsibility of finding and following the plan of salvation that God has established on you. It does not put that responsibility on your Pastor though the Pastor/leaders do have to give an account for you. Hebrews 13:17 says, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Pastors and Church leaders do have a responsibility for you as the Lord says. With that said God clearly puts the responsibility of your salvation on you. I could do a complete study on Hebrews 13:17 but that is not the focus of this study. I will say though, you really do have to be selective in who you allow to feed you the word and give you spiritual guidance. You have to make sure you are being taught Sound Doctrine as recorded in Titus verse 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: Sound Doctrine always comes from Jesus and what He passed to the disciples to spread around the world. You cannot be led blindly, and you must know those who labor among you.

1 Thessalonians 5:12

And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you.

Why write a study on water baptism?

The answer to this question goes back to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” because there are two conclusions that Christianity has come to when it comes to water baptism:

1. No water baptism is not part of your salvation.
2. Yes water baptism is part of your salvation.

The first one teaches water baptism comes after salvation, and the second one, teaches you are not saved until you have been born again which includes being water-baptized and spirit-filled. We can say this for sure, God is not the author of confusion so both answers cannot be correct. Either water baptism is part of our salvation, or it is not.

The most common answer I get when I ask those saying that water baptism comes after salvation is this: Water baptism is a symbol—an outward expression of an inward decision. It illustrates Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It symbolizes a new life as a Christian. In short, others say water baptism is an outward expression of an inward reality. Another answer I get is, that water baptism is an act of obedience that follows our conversion or salvation to portray symbolically the washing away of our sins. They will say that water baptism is important, but nothing happens to or for you at baptism. Some will say it is an act of obedience, Jesus was baptized, so I should too.

Additionally, I ask, can you show me scripturally where it says that baptism is a symbol, symbolic, and illustrates or shows in a public way a decision to live for Christ? To date, I have not had anyone show me scripturally where it says that baptism is a symbol of anything.

My follow-up question to them is, if Jesus commanded us to be baptized and He did, what is His reason for making that commandment? What happens to us or to us when we are baptized? The answer I get is baptism is symbolic or illustrative and nothing happens to you or for you except you are being obedient to Jesus.

Why do they conclude that baptism is a symbol, symbolic, and illustrates or shows in a public way a decision to live for Christ? The only answer I have gotten so far is: this is what have been taught, this is what is written in our denominational teachings, this is what they taught me in Bible School.

When I ask those that say, yes water baptism is part of your salvation, the answer I get is, Jesus in the great commission commanded us to be baptized, in line with His teaching that we must be born again, born of the water and the spirit, in line with Acts 2:38 where Peter says that our sins are forgiven at baptism along with the examples found in the book of Acts and discussions in Romans and 1 John. That it is at baptism that our sins are forgiven, remitted, washed away, that we are buried with Him at baptism, that we put on Christ at baptism. Additionally, they say that Mark 15, states that those who believe and are baptized shall be saved, and 1 John 3:21 says that even baptism doth also now save us.

Why do they conclude that baptism is part of salvation? Because that is what Jesus’ doctrine teaches and recorded in the bible they will say.
Additionally, to the answers I listed above, some denominations use baptism as membership in the local church, meaning you are not considered a member of the local church/denomination until you have been baptized. Some churches-denominations require you to be rebaptized to become a member of that local church/denomination if you have been a member of another denomination.

You can see the answers I get, but for each of us, we need to know what Jesus said about baptism, and what the bible teaches about baptism, not denominational doctrines.

Let’s see if the bible says that baptism is a symbol, symbolic and illustrates or shows in a public way a decision to live for Christ or does something actually happens to or for you.

Why did Jesus command us to be water-baptized? What happens at water baptism? Is baptism part of salvation? After researching, studying and most importantly being led by God, I find the flowing answers to these questions. I am going to start in Hebrews 6, not that the answer to these questions is found there but in Hebrews 6 you find that there are six foundational doctrines of Jesus Christ. Meaning these six teachings are the foundational teachings that every Christian should learn, know, and follow. We find the importance of building on a strong foundation throughout scripture, but Matthew records how important the foundation is.

Matthew 7:24-27

²⁴ Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: ²⁵ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. ²⁶ “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: ²⁷ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.

Also, Luke 6:49

But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

These foundational doctrines will propel new and young believers into becoming mature Christians with a solid foundation. Foundational doctrines of Christian living.

Hebrews 6:1-5

¹ Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, ² Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. ³ And this will we do, if God permit. ⁴ For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, ⁵ And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

First, whose doctrine is this? Jesus Doctrine! (in case you do not know what doctrine means: the definition is, teaching, instruction, in this case as Hebrews says, the six foundational teachings of Jesus Christ) Notice it does not say it is Peter's doctrine, Paul’s doctrine, does not say it is my doctrine, your doctrine, does not say it’s one of the 45,000 denominational doctrines but it says these are the doctrines of Jesus Christ. “Go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance, and faith toward God, of the doctrine of Baptisms, and laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment.

The six foundational doctrines listed in Hebrews 6 are:

1. Repentance
2. Faith in God
3. The doctrine of Baptisms
4. Laying on hands
5. Resurrection of the dead
6. Eternal judgement

Since these are the foundational doctrines of Christ, I want you to ask yourself, have I been taught these six foundational doctrines? Have I studied these six foundational doctrines of Christ? Only you can answer that. But if the answer is no, then remember “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Get to studying and find out what Jesus teaches in these six foundational doctrines. I can promise you that if Jesus has a doctrine, it can be found in scripture.

2 Timothy 2:14-15

¹⁴ Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. ¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Is water baptism part of salvation? I will let Christ's doctrine give us that answer.

The word baptize means: to immerse, to submerge to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to overwhelm. The New Covenant and Jesus doctrine use the word baptize, baptized, and baptism for both water baptism and spirit baptism. Meaning Jesus taught that a person must be baptized in water and baptized in the spirit. Understanding this is very important as sometimes the word baptized can mean in water, other times in spirit, and in some scriptures, it means both.

When you look at Hebrews 6 and the foundational doctrines listed it says the “Doctrine of baptisms” Jesus has a doctrine on water baptism and on spirit baptism. Scripture proves this as we will see in this study.

Is water baptism part of salvation? Let's see!

First, I am going to show you two scriptures that clearly say that water baptism is part of salvation.

In Mark, he records in what we now call the great commission. The great commission is simply the final instructions that Jesus gave the disciples soon before He went to heaven. These instructions are recorded in all four of the gospels: Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-18, Luke 24: 45-49, John 20:20-23. I have added these scripts to the end of this study for you to read and see they say the same thing in each writer's own words. I am going to use Mark’s recording here because it contains the most descriptive explanation of what Jesus told them concerning baptism.

Mark 16:15-17

¹⁵ And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. ¹⁶ He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. ¹⁷ And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

Verse 15, and He said unto them, (who said unto them?) Jesus said unto them, go preach the gospel to everyone. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. Hold on a minute, Jesus just said he that believes and is baptized shall be saved, tying baptism to salvation. Make sure you get this; Hebrews 6 says one of the foundational doctrines of Jesus is baptism. This is Jesus teaching the disciples what to do so that makes this Jesus doctrine/Jesus commandment and tells us that baptism is part of salvation.

Next, let’s go to 1 Peter 3:20-21and see what it has to say.

1 Peter 3:20-21

²⁰ Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. ²¹ The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Do you know who Peter is? He is the guy (disciple) that Jesus said is the Rock on which He will build His church, Matthew 16:18, and Peter is the one who Jesus gave the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven Matthew 16:19. Not literal keys of course, keys here meaning the plan, the doctrine on how to get into heaven. Peter is also the disciple who preached the very first sermon of the New Covenant and when He was asked what must we do?, guess what one of the things He told them they must do? You guessed it, be baptized.

What I like about what Peter is showing in verses 20 and 21 is that God saved Noah and his family by water in Verse 20 and goes on in verse 21 and says just like God saved them by water, now even baptism does also save us.

So, just in the first couple of scriptures I have listed, the bible presents that baptism is part of our salvation.

Let's see if the scriptures show us why Jesus told us that those who believe and are baptized shall be saved, and why Peter backed Jesus up in his text saying now even water baptism does also now save us. (Side note: Get your bible or open up your bible app so you can go to these scriptures yourself.) “Work out your own salvation”

What does Jesus’ doctrine say happens at baptism? If it is not symbolic as 90% of Christianity says, then what does Jesus doctrine say actually happens at water baptism?

Peter after preaching the first gospel message as Jesus told Him and the rest of the disciples in the great commission to do, asked, men and brethren what must we do in Acts 2: verse 37, and in verse 38 Peter said Repent every one of you and be baptized in the Name of Jesus for the forgiveness/remission of your sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Go to your bible and read it for yourself, do not take my word for it. “Work out your own salvation”

Peter here says that it is at water baptism in Jesus’ name where and when your sins are forgiven or remitted depending on which English version you are reading. NIV says "forgiveness", and KJV says "remission" both words are interchangeable. But look what He says happens when you are baptized. Says that is when your sins are forgiven. Nowhere in scripture can you find where it says, believe and your sins are forgiven, no, the bible says, be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. That is the moment your sins are forgiven.

Other scriptures that tell us what happens at water baptism:

Acts 22:16

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Here Paul is telling us that our sins are washed away at water baptism. Another word to describe what happens at baptism.

Jesus says in John 3 that we must be born again of the water and of the Spirit to see or enter the Kingdom of God.

John 3:3-5

³ Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. ⁴ Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? ⁵ Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Every disciple understood you had to be born again of water and of the spirit. That is why they were baptized in water and prayed with everyone to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit as scripture shows.

I really love what else Paul says happens at water baptism in Romans 6:4

¹ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? ³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? ⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. ⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: ⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. ⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Do you not know that we were baptized into Christ and were baptized into His death?

Therefore, we are buried with Him at baptism into death (our old man is buried with Him) (when are we buried with Him? At belief? No at baptism).

Like as Christ was raised up from the dead, even so, we should walk in the newness of life! For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, (planted together happens when? According to Romans 6:4 it is at baptism) we shall also arise in the likeness of His resurrection.

Now, Colossians 2:12-13 also says we are buried with Him at baptism,

¹² Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. ¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Galatians 3:26-28 Says when we are baptized, we have put on Christ.

²⁶ For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Looks to me like Jesus has a doctrine on water baptism and it is not what 90% of Christianity says that it is. Water baptism is not a symbol, or symbolic nor does it illustrate, portray, or show you in a public way your decision. Jesus' water baptism doctrine tells us in scripture exactly what water baptism is for, and what happens at baptism when baptized in Jesus' name.

Here are just a few examples of Water and spirit Baptisms happening in the book of Acts by the disciples following Jesus' doctrine of Baptisms:

1. Samarians Water Baptized
   Acts 8:12-13

¹² But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. ¹³ Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

1. Samarians Spirit Baptized.
   Acts 8:14-17

¹⁴ Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: ¹⁵ Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: ¹⁶ (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) ¹⁷ Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

2. Water Baptism-Eunuch of Ethiopia
   Acts 8:36-38

³⁶ And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? ³⁷ And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. ³⁸ And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

3. Spirit and water Baptism of Saul/Paul
   Acts 9:17-18

¹⁷ And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit ¹⁸ And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

4. Spirit- Water Baptism-Cornelius and family Gentiles
   Acts 10:44-48

⁰⁴⁴⁰ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word. ⁴⁵ And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. ⁴⁶ For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, ⁴⁷ Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

5. Water Baptism-Lydia
   Acts 16:14-15

¹⁴ And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. ¹⁵ And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

6. Water Baptism-Corinthians
   Acts 18:8

And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

7. Water Baptism-Jailer
   Acts 16:33

And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

8. Water and Spirit Baptism at Corinth
   Acts 19:5-7

⁵ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues and prophesied. ⁷ And all the men were about twelve.

There are more examples, but I will leave them for you to find and study. I could even go back into the Old Covenant and show you where water baptism was pointing to the New Covenant baptism, I could present John's Baptism here, but you need to study some yourself as this is about your salvation. John's baptism though is not the baptism of the New Covenant, that Jesus commanded in the Great Commission.

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12

Finish with a conclusion to the answers proposed at the beginning.

The question I posed at the beginning was: is water baptism part of salvation?

So, in conclusion, you cannot find one scripture, or put two or three scriptures together that teach that water baptism a symbol, symbolic, and illustrates, portrays, or shows in a public way your decision to live for Christ. But you can find Jesus Doctrine teaching and telling us what baptism does for us and what happens at baptism and showing us that water baptism is part of our salvation.

1. Your sins are forgiven/remitted at baptism (Acts 2:38).
2. Your sins are washed away at baptism (Acts 22:16).
3. Adds you to the Kingdom (John 3:2-5)
4. You are buried with Him at baptism (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12)
5. You put on Christ at baptism, Baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27).

Two scriptures that show specifically that baptism is part of salvation:

1. Those that believe and are baptized shall be saved (Mark: 16:16)
2. Saved by baptism (1 Peter 3:20-21).

Answer 11

Baptism by the Spirit (not of water) is both symbolic to the baptism of being in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection with Him upon having faith, and instrumental as being the means by which a believer is spiritually placed into the body of Christ and sealed for eternity.

Truth for one group in the Bible does not necessarily mean that that same truth applies to other groups in the Bible, or otherwise. For instance:

Why is it permissible to eat lobster and pork today? Because those laws applied to a different group at a different time.

How is it that we today can be saved by God's grace through having faith alone in Christ alone (without righteous works of the law)? Because Jesus Christ was specifically addressing "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" during His ministry on earth (Matt 10:5-6, Matt 15:24, John 4:22, Acts 11:19, Rom 15:8, 2 Cor 5:16, Rom 11:26-28).

Paul, our apostle, was instructed from Christ ascended in heaven...not earth (Rom 11:11-25, Gal 1:11-12).

Galatians 1:11-12

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Things changed when Christ shed His blood for the forgiveness of the world's sins on the cross, and these hidden "mysteries" (Eph 3:1-12), including what the completed work of Jesus Christ means for us, was revealed to Paul. We place our faith in Christ and His finished work performed on our behalf as being our means of salvation today, and nothing of ourselves. There is nothing that we can do, during this current age of God's grace (Eph 3:2), to add to what Jesus Christ performed and finished for us. This includes water baptism, as we are "complete in Him" at the moment of belief.

Colossians 2:8-15

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Are works required for salvation? Yes, but not our works. It is having faith in the completed work of Jesus Christ for us that counts.

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Galatians 2:16

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Romans 3:21-28

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Is righteousness required for salvation? Yes, but only the imputed righteousness of God to our account by having faith alone in Jesus Christ that applies.

2 Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Romans 4:5

But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Romans 4:21-25

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Is forgiveness of sin required for salvation? Yes, which is exactly what God did for the world when Jesus Christ died on the cross. Trusting in His payment for the forgiveness of our sins is how and when one accepts God's free gift of salvation today.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

2 Corinthians 5:19

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Is baptism required for salvation? Yes, but there is only one that counts today, and it is of the Spirit and performed by Him at the moment of belief... when one is "sealed unto the day of redemption".

Ephesians 4:5

One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

1 Corinthians 12:13

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Ephesians 1:12-13

That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 4:30

And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

In summary, the baptism that Paul refers to in Romans may very well be the same one that even Peter now understands and teaches to his audience. Peter says the one baptism that saves is not the one of water, which only washes the flesh, but the one of having faith in Christ (a good conscience toward God) by Christ's resurrection:

1 Peter 3:21

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Romans 6:4

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Colossians 2:12

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.