We want to return to this theme, again. First, we want to summarize the texts that mention it in connection with salvation emphasizing that baptism always follows faith but proceeds salvation in every text but one. We will attempt to explain why it is different.
First, consider a list that summarizes its connection with salvation.
- Mark 16:15-16 tells the apostles to go into all the world and preach the gospel, adding, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved, he that disbelieves shall be condemned. ” This is easily illustrated with a simple math equation (3+2 =5). Few would argue with the truth of that equation. Yet, people are making the argument that believers are saved, and then can be baptized afterward, which looks like 3= 5 + 2.
- Acts 22:16 reads, “Why do you tarry; arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Once again, we see a familiar pattern that has baptism preceeding washing away sins or forgiveness. Ananias does not say, “Since you already have your sins washed away, why do you wait? Get up and be baptized and wash away your sins.
- Acts 2:38 reads, “Repent and be baptized everyone of you for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Again, the remission of sins preceeds the remission of sins.
- “The exception mentioned is Acts 16:30-31 when Paul tells a jailor, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.” Then Paul and Silas spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. However, the next verse reads, “At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.
We see, once again, the connection between faith and baptism like Galatians 3:26-27 and Galatians 5:6. Baptism is an expression of obedient faith. For this reason, baptism was not delayed but purposely follows the teaching of Jesus and Him crucified. In support of this truth is Acts 8, with Philip and his teaching the Ethiopian. The man was reading from Isaiah 53 and when Philip joined him in the Chariot, he began with that Scripture and preached Christ to the man. The very next thing that is recorded is their coming to a body of water and the Ethiopian asking the question, “Look, here is water! What hinders me to be baptized? Preaching Christ included the need to be buried with Christ by baptism (Romans 6:3-4). Philip told him that he could, if he believed. This accords with all the above passages and it shows baptism following faith, but preceeding the remission of sins.
Now, we can build a theology around justification by faith without works of law and equate baptism as a work of law. Once could abuse the Scriptures by so defining it as a work of law. However, it need not be a work of law. It could be and is biblically defined as a work of faith (cf. Gal. 5:6). And, for that reason, we find its use is Scripture as being a part of faith that is necessary for salvation. Please, don’t fall into the common mistake of making baptism of work of law when the Bible teaches it as a work of faith.