The concept that baptism is required for salvation is referred to as “baptismal regeneration” in some circles. However, while we believe that baptism is an important step of obedience for a Christian, we do not believe that baptism is a requirement for salvation. We are adamant that every Christian should be baptized in water through immersion, regardless of their denomination. Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection are symbolized in baptism as a believer’s identification with these events. “Or do you not realize that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were also baptized into His death?” asks the apostle Paul in Romans 6:3-4. Consequently, we were buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was risen from the dead by God’s grace, we too could have a new life.” The act of being immersed in water symbolizes the death and burial of Christ on the cross. Coming out of the sea represents Christ’s resurrection in its physical manifestation.
A works-based salvation is one that necessitates anything other than faith in Jesus Christ in order to be saved. In order to add anything to the gospel, we must acknowledge that Jesus’ death on the cross was insufficient to purchase our redemption. In order for Christ’s death to be adequate for our salvation, it is required for us to add our own good works and obedience to Christ’s death. This is what it means to state that baptism is necessary for salvation. Jesus’ death was the only one who paid the price for our sins (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). The payment for our sins made by Jesus is appropriated to our “account” solely via faith (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9). Because of this, baptism is a vital step of obedience following salvation but cannot be a condition for salvation in and of itself.
Some texts do appear to point to baptism as an essential part of the process of redemption, which is correct. However, given that the Bible makes it quite plain that salvation is acquired solely via faith (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5), there must be another way of looking at those Scriptures to understand them. Nothing in Scripture is in conflict with anything else in Scripture. In biblical times, a person who switched from one faith to another was frequently baptized in order to distinguish between the two religions. Baptism served as a means of making one’s decision publicly known. Those who declined to get baptized were expressing their disbelief in their own beliefs. As a result, in the minds of the apostles and early disciples, the concept of a believer who had not been baptized was unthinkable. When a person claims to believe in Christ but is embarrassed to express his or her religion in front of others, it indicates that he or she does not have genuine faith.
If baptism is required for salvation, then why did Paul say, “I am pleased that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius” (1 Corinthians 1:14), if baptism is not required for salvation? “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel,” he explained in 1 Corinthians 1:17, “not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power” (Christ did not send him to baptize but to preach the gospel). To be sure, Paul is arguing in this chapter against the splits that had afflicted the Corinthian church at the time. When it comes to salvation, how could Paul possible say things like, “I am pleased that I did not baptize…” or “For Christ did not send me to baptize…” if baptism were required for salvation? According to this interpretation, Paul would be stating, “I am thankful that you were not saved…” and “For Christ did not send me to save…” if baptism is required for salvation. Those would be an utterly ludicrous statement for Paul to make in that situation. Furthermore, why does Paul fail to include baptism when he provides a clear explanation of what he views to be the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-8)? It seems impossible that any presentation of the gospel would fail to include a reference to baptism, given that it is a condition for salvation.
Baptism is not required in order to be saved. Instead of saving from sin, baptism saves from having a bad conscience. Clearly, according to the teaching of Peter in 1 Peter 3:21, baptism is not a ritual act of physical purification, but rather the pledge of
Primary Sources: The Holy Scriptures (LXX, NKJV, KJV, ESV, NIV)