One of the most difficult ongoing studies is the subject of baptism and its importance. It is generally taught by most denominations and those influenced by them that baptism is not necessary for salvation. Some say it is just an outward sign of an inward grace. Others add that one should be baptized but it still doesn’t have anything to do with salvation. This has always fascinated me that anyone would admit that we “should”do it, but it has little to do with salvation when the Bible says that Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to those who obey him” (Heb. 5:9). What is meant is that the initial salvation moment takes place before and without baptism. However, I fear this is an exaggeration to avoid the thought of salvation being of works. To support this view, consider the following passage.
The major reason for this is that most would consider baptism a work and equate it with a work of law. Yet, Paul explains in Galatians 5:6 that the “only thing that counts is faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6). Faith works and James 2 is clear about that fact. “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works (James 2:17-18). It is true that the attitude that seeks justification or salvation on the basis of one’s works is not taught in Scripture. Galatians 3:6 reads, “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. But, remember that living faith is synonymous with obedience and works. Faith and obedience are interchangeable, even though they are not specifically the same thing. This is just like the Bible’s usage of mind, heart, and spirit—they are not specifically the same thing, yet they are so interconnected that they really cannot be separated. Galatians 3:6 is a quotation of Genesis 15:6. It is, also, taught in Romans 4:1-3, which reads,
What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16) because in it, God’s righteousness (i.e., God’s method of making men and women righteous) is revealed from faith unto faith: as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” These two verses in essence say that Abraham was justified because he believed. He was legally righteous before God because of his faith. This becomes the basis for Paul’s teaching that justification is by faith and not by works. What Paul does not mention here is that Abraham’s justification occurred 14 years before Abraham was circumcised. The circumcision did not justify him—the faith did. He further explains in verses 21-25:
And being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.
Still, faith does not stand alone:
But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only (James 2:20-24).
Living faith cannot be separated from obedience, which is works. Faith and works go together. Life cannot exist when you separate them. If living faith exists, there will always be good works. If no works are produced, there will be no faith. Most all readily recognize that whatever we deeply believe will determine the actions we take in our lives. While James and Paul speak of faith in different contexts and purposes, they are complementary, not contradictory. James’ purpose is to show that a person’s faith is perfected or completed by the kind of works that the faith produces. He shows that it is the kind of faith that Abraham had that made the real difference and brought about justification. Justification is entirely an act on God’s part, but the kind of faith that brings it about is the same kind that also brings about good works. It is not our works that save us, but only those whose works demonstrate that living faith will be saved. Paul, on the other hand, is talking about being pronounced free of guilt (justified) on the basis of works of law, instead of the living faith of James’ emphasis. One is a work of faith, while the other is a work of law.
In addition, it is also very common to have someone say, “Anyone can be baptized but that doesn’t mean that they are saved.” Yet, they say this only about baptism. What about confession (cf. Romans 10:10) or repentance? Many never bury the old man of Romans 6; never repent (change of mind). Others may not confess that Jesus is Christ, the Son of God. Others never place their trust in Christ’s work of atonement at the cross or accept the power of the resurrection. It takes all of these, and yet we seldom hear anyone say, “Well, a person can confess Christ with their mouth but that doesn’t mean that they are saved.” For some reason and I’m guessing it is because so many preachers quibble about baptism having anything to do with salvation, we have bought into the idea that to require it is synonymous with a work of law. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. In fact, two people can do exactly the same thing, in so far as what is actually done, and one is saved while the other is still in his or her sins. Why? Because one does so with the attitude of having earned it and anything done with that attitude is to no avail, whether baptism or anything else. The other totally depends on grace. To obey does not eradicate grace.
Finally, it is commonly heard by others that baptism has nothing to do with salvation. Well, what does the Bible say about that? Mark 16:15-16 reads, “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.” If baptism is not a salvation issue, why did Jesus place baptism before the desired end, salvation? Two plus three equals five. Neither one by itself will produce five. It takes both two and three to equal five. Why? Because a dead faith is a faith without works just as much as an insincere baptism will avail nothing. You can’t have faith without works and you can’t have works without faith. If we want salvation, both are included.
Someone will offer some extenuating situation that involves a repentant soul on the way to be baptized when a tree limb, falling down on his or her head, brings life on earth to an end. If we say they are saved without baptism in that situation, then anyone can be saved in the same way, without it. If we say that they are lost, that just doesn’t sound just and fair. Yet, we can create any number of similar scenarios in which a person has intentions to do the right thing and life is cut short. I may be on my way to reconcile with a brother or seek forgiveness for having sinned against someone. I’m on my way when I run off the road and kill myself in an auto accident. Fill in the blank as you wish, whether it’s paying a debt, seeking forgiveness or restitution of a stolen item, if I die before completing the task, am I lost? Let’s just follow the logic, carefully. Just for the sake of making a point (for no one should stand in God’s position as judge), let’s say that God will not hold it against them and will forgive them. Now: do you see it? Are we now going to conclude that it is not necessary to pay the debt or seek restitution because if you were killed before the actual fulfillment, God would overlook it, anyway?
Satan is working on the minds and hearts of us all and the only real deciding factor is whether or not you love the truth. That requires an open mind to investigate the objective revelation of truth found in God’s Word.