Water Baptism Is Not Necessary To Go To Heaven

1st Corinthians 1:17, “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.”

Water baptism is not required to be saved. No one in the Old Testament was ever baptized to get to Heaven, and we know that they were preached the same Gospel as we believe today, which is salvation through faith alone in Christ (Acts 10:43; Hebrews 4:2; Romans 4:1-5).
The Apostle John penned the epistle of 1st John for the main purpose of showing believers how to "know" that we are saved (1st John 5:13). Yet, the apostle doesn't mention baptism even once in his epistle. Obviously then, water baptism is not required to be saved, otherwise John would have emphasized the need for it.

The Apostle Paul said in 1st Corinthians 1:17 that Christ didn't send him to baptize converts; but rather, to preach the Gospel. If water baptism were the means of salvation (as Lutherans and Roman Catholics foolishly teach), then Paul would have been sent by Christ to baptize people, but he wasn't.

I once worked with a wacky Church of Christ minister, who when I showed him 1st Corinthians 1:17 told me that Paul's disciples did the baptizing instead. That is so ridiculous! Church of Christ members errantly believe that water baptism is required to get to Heaven. They've got water on the brain! Please RUN away from the Church of Christ cult!!!

The repentant thief on the cross was never baptized. The man simply believed on Christ.

My dear grandmother (my Mom's Mom) was never baptized. She simply believed on Christ.

Pastor Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899) didn't baptize any of their tens of thousands of converts.
Not one verse in the inspired Word of God teaches that water baptism is necessary to receive God's free gift of eternal life. Salvation is BY FAITH alone according to Galatians 2:26, John 3:16 and hundreds of other Scripture passages. 𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟱:𝟭, “𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵, 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁:”

Beware of the many religious cults today that foolishly teach you must be water baptized to get to Heaven. This popular damnable heresy in theology is called “Baptismal Regeneration.” That is, they believe you are regenerated (born again) by being baptized in water. Some false religions practice sprinkling with water, but this is a totally unscriptural ritual. Some of the more popular cults that mandate water baptism for salvation include: Roman Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Lutherans and Seventh-Day Adventists.

SDA's will claim that they don't require water baptism for salvation, but they really do. SDA's errantly teach that if you don't obey the Ten Commandments it proves you don't love God, and this means your faith is not genuine and you're not really saved. Clearly, this is a backdoor approach to the Satanic Lordship Salvation heresy! SDA's adhere to a work-based false plan of salvation. If you doubt what I say, then I encourage you to research their exclusive false doctrine called, “Investigative Judgment.”

There is nothing in the Bible which says you must be dunked in a tank of water to receive God's free gift of eternal life. You just need to BELIEVE that Jesus did it all for you. God's plan of salvation for humanity is so simple, easy and free. John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” If you will simply BELIEVE dear guilty sinner, that Jesus died in your place on Calvary's cross for your sins, and believe that He was buried, but then miraculously resurrected physically from the dead three days later—and this is your only hope for forgiveness of sins and eternal life—you are saved!!!

Baptism Is Not Required Nor Permitted To Get Into Heaven

I was saddened back in 2003 when I read this article in the Chicago Sun-Times, which said that U.S. troops were lining up in Iraqi to be water baptized, just in case they were killed on the battlefield. I cut the article out and scanned it, so I could write an article about it.

A Disturbing Article From The 2003 Chicago Sun-Times

The lie that you must be water baptized to get to Heaven in theology is called: "BAPTISMAL REGENERATION." Many of the hellbound cults teach this damnable heresy; such as, Mormons, Seventh-Day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Church of Christ and Roman Catholics. 𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟯:𝟭𝟲, “𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀.” Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do.

I feel so sorry for those U.S. troops, who were maliciously lied to, given a false hope that baptism in water could prepare them for Heaven if they were killed. Water baptism no more makes someone a Christian, than walking into a garage makes you an automobile! It is ONLY faith in the GOOD NEWS (Gospel) of Jesus Christ's death on the cross, burial and bodily resurrection three days later that saves a sinner.

Water baptism is simply one's public profession of faith in Christ, that you have just been saved. Water sprinkling is unbiblical. Biblical baptism must always be by total immersion under water, which re[resents Jesus death and burial. Rising up out of the water symbolizes Jesus' physical resurrection from the dead the third day. Water baptism is an OUTWARD snapshot of what has happened INWARDLY. That is, it pictures your faith in the Gospel. Infant baptism is unbiblical, because babies are too young to understand the Gospel.

The Apostle Paul said that Christ did not send him to baptize; but rather, to preach the Gospel (1st Corinthians 1:17).

In the Epistle of 1st John, the Apostle John tells believers how to KNOW that we are saved (1st John 5:13). Yet, John in his Epistle doesn't mention any form of baptism even once. If water baptism were necessary to be saved, no doubt John would have mentioned it, but he didn't.

Anyone who teaches that you must be water baptized to get to Heaven is a liar.

Any Lutheran who says that not getting baptized shows that your faith is not genuine is a dirty liar. 

Any Church of Christ member who says that you cannot go to Heaven unless you get water baptized is a dirty liar.

Any Roman Catholic who says that water baptism is a necessary sacrament to get to Heaven is a dirty liar. There are NO SACRAMENTS in the inspired Holy Bible. Sacraments are only found in manmade religion!

“Religion and Christ are in opposition to each other!” —Pastor Jack Hyles, “Religion Or Christ?”

Dr. John Rice Explains Bible Teaching On Water Baptism

BAPTISM IS CHRISTIAN, NOT JEWISH; NEW TESTAMENT,
NOT OLD TESTAMENT; GRACE, NOT LAW

by Evangelist John R. Rice (1895-1980)

Down through the centuries till modern times all Bible students and theologians agreed that baptism was a New Testament practice exclusively, that it went with the gospel of salvation through faith in Christ, and was not a part of the Old Testament ceremonial law. However, those who sprinkled unconverted babies tried to find some excuse for family baptizings, and so sought to show a similarity, at least, between circumcision and baptism as an argument for the sprinkling of babies which they got from Rome. That was the first time anyone used Old Testament texts as if they applied to baptism, or in any way connected baptism with the Old Testament.

Then in recent years a new cult of ultra-dispensationalists appeared taking up that argument and expanding it as an excuse for omitting baptism and breaking the command of Christ that converts were to be baptized "even unto the end of the world." Such faddists say that baptism was simply ceremonial law, that John the Baptist was preaching and baptizing on legal ground, that that was in a Jewish dispensation, like circumcision, that now Christians should not be baptized. That is simply one of the false isms of these last days, of which Christians should beware.

BAPTISM NOT LIKE CIRCUMCISION
However, the Bible is as plain as daylight on this matter. Baptism is never mentioned as connected with ceremonial law or as applying to Jews any more than to others. In fact, baptism is not even mentioned in the Old Testament. Any man who puts baptism on a basis with circumcision surely never studied the matter with an unbiased mind. Circumcision was given to Abraham in the book of Genesis, (Gen. 17:9-14), separating him and his descendants from the rest of the race. It was incorporated in the Mosaic law for Israel only (Lev. 12:3). In the New Testament then we are plainly told that Gentile Christians are not subject to this law, (Acts 15:1-20, Cal. 5:2,6, and Gal. 6:15.) On the contrary, baptism was not in the Mosaic law, not commanded to Jews as a race anywhere, but commanded to Christians, whether Jews or Gentiles, after conversion. Baptism began with John the Baptist, and as given in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, goes on to "the end of the world" or the end of this church age. Baptism began when circumcision ended. The Bible plainly tells when baptism began and when circumcision ended. The Bible plainly tells that circumcision now avails nothing and is not to be required of converts. The Bible says nothing like that about baptism. If the Lord had planned for baptism to stop, He would have plainly said so, but He did not say so. Christians who take the Bible, then, cannot throw away baptism.

THE GOSPEL OF JOHN THE BAPTIST EXACTLY THE SAME AS THAT OF CHRIST AND APOSTLES
Laboring to find an excuse for omitting baptism and doing away with this blessed reminder of Christ's death and burial, some people insist that John the Baptist preached a different gospel than Christ and Paul preached, and that Jews were baptized by John the Baptist because they were saved in a different way. How wrong that is! It grows out of a lack of understanding of the Bible doctrine on salvation throughout the Bible. One good man was first a Roman Catholic and believed that people were saved by baptism, and then a Presbyterian and believed that little babies were put under covenant by baptism and that baptism took the place of circumcision, and then joined the Disciples of Christ, a group who teach that people are saved only in baptism, and who often hold that the baptism must be performed by one of their own members or it is not effective. Now he is an ultra-dispensationalist; and out of that muddled background, with no sound theological training, and no broad understanding of the Bible, he teaches that baptism is now done away with entirely, that John the Baptist baptized Jews because they could not be saved without baptism, but that now an added revelation has come of "church truth," that John's baptism was only a part of the Law, that it was for Jews only, that it was once essential to salvation, and is now out of date! That sounds too silly to deserve attention, but some good people who do not know their Bibles and have not been well founded in the great doctrines of salvation, have been misled by it.

The simple truth is that there has never been but one kind of salvation. Peter said, in preaching to Cornelius in Acts 10:43, that "To Him (Christ) give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Wait! Read that again! Every prophet in the Old Testament, as well as New Testament apostles, agree, says this Scripture, that all who trust in Christ are instantly saved! Animal sacrifices, baptism, the Lord's Supper, good deeds, never were essential to salvation. Salvation is by faith in Christ alone. It always was the same.

But the doctrine of John the Baptist was exactly the same as that of Christ Himself and of the apostles. It is true that John the Baptist preached, "Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 3:2). He refused to baptize the Pharisees and Sadducees without evidence of repentance. But Jesus preached exactly the same thing, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 4:17). And even when Jews were rejecting their King, and when the kingdom offered was no longer imminent, that is, at hand, still Jesus continued to preach the same doctrine, "Repent!" In Luke 13:1-5 we are told:

"There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Repentance was Christ's plan of salvation. And when He gave the disciples the Great Commission, as reported in Luke, He said unto them, "That repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47). It was just another way of stating His plan of salvation "among all nations." All who honestly repent - that is all who turn, in the heart, from sin to God - certainly trust in Christ. So repentance and faith are inseparable.

And Paul preached the same thing, namely that God "commandeth all men every where to repent" (Acts 17:30). It is silly, then, to say that repentance is only for Jews. Actually, repentance means a change of mind, a heart's turning from sin toward God. And of course every person who was ever saved in the Old Testament or the New turned his heart from sin toward God, that is, he repented, as he trusted.

It is true that the Gospel of John stresses faith, trusting in Christ for salvation, but so too did John the Baptist! We are accustomed to quoting John 3:16 and John 3:18, saying that one who trusted in Christ should never perish but have everlasting life and is not condemned. But often people forget that in the same chapter, from verse 27 on, John the Baptist is talking, and he says in John 3:36, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." So then John the Baptist taught that the only way to be saved was by faith in Christ, personal dependence and trust in Him. Repentance and faith are simply different ways of referring to the heart's turning to God, the surrender to and trust in Christ as Saviour. John the Baptist preached exactly the same gospel as did Christ and as did Peter and as did Paul, and exactly the same gospel as we must preach today.

When John the Baptist said, in Matthew 3:11, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance," the word unto is a translation of the Greek word eis, a preposition of reference, and actually John the Baptist simply meant that he baptized people with reference to or in remembrance of, or pointing to, their repentance. He expressly refused to baptize anybody until they had already repented, that is, had already turned to Christ, trusting Him and being saved (Matt. 3:7-8). The gospel preached by John the Baptist was exactly the same gospel as preached by the Saviour and by the apostles and taught throughout the New Testament. To say that John the Baptist was in a different dispensation, or that baptism, as administered by John, had a different meaning from that which baptism has today, shows a lack of understanding of the doctrine of salvation as taught throughout the Bible.

THE BAPTISM OF JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS ALL THAT JESUS HAD OR THE TWELVE APOSTLES; WAS CHRISTIAN BAPTISM.
The baptism administered by John the Baptist was not distinctly Jewish, was not a part of ceremonial law, and did not belong to an Old Testament dispensation at all. In fact, the word baptism or baptizing is not even mentioned in the Old Testament. Nor is there a single reference in the Old Testament to any ceremony like the baptism of John.

It is true, as these ultra-dispensationalists point out, that the washings mentioned in Hebrews 9:10, referring to the Old Testament worship, is a translation of baptismos, a Greek word with the same root as baptism, simply a form of the same word. But the context shows that it was not the immersion of new converts who have just been saved which is referred to, but the washing or dipping of the priests' hands, and of cups and pots and brazen vessels in the big laver in connection with the bloody sacrifices of the Old Testament period. And exactly the same word in the Greek, baptismos, is used in Mark 7:4. There the Pharisees were complaining at Christ and the disciples because they ate with unwashen hands. Verses 3 and 4 say, "For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables." In that passage the washing of Mark 7:4 is baptismos. When the Scripture says in that verse, "Except they wash, they eat not," the word wash is the very word for baptize, baptizo. So the only kind of baptism known in the Old Testament was the ceremonial dipping and washing of hands, or pots and cups and vessels of brass. Again I say there was nothing like John's baptism in Old Testament times. In Old Testament times there was the washing of pots and pans, ceremonial washings and dippings of the hands every day before eating. There was never, in the ceremonial law, the immersion of the whole body following repentance, picturing regeneration, a death to sin and a resurrection to new life, as New Testament baptism pictured. In the Old Testament there is not a single case of immersion of a person as a rite similar either in form or purpose to the baptism preached and administered, according to the New Testament, by John, Jesus, and the apostles.

Anyone who says, therefore, that John's baptism was legal, or part of the ceremonial law which was for Jews only, shows that he has been getting his theology from some other book besides the Bible, and out of his ignorance misleads others who are ignorant. Again I say, baptism, in the sense that John the Baptist, Christ, and the apostles baptized, is not in the Old Testament at all. The word is not even mentioned in the Old Testament, as any one who has a good concordance can verify for himself. Baptism is entirely a New Testament doctrine and practice is connected altogether with the gospel of grace, and never with ceremonial law. In the Bible it was never administered nor commanded to any but those who publicly professed that they repented of their sins and were born again when they came in penitent faith in Christ, "the lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world," as John preached.

It is significant that the Gospel of Mark starts out with these words, "The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the son of God; as it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee." And then follows the story of John the Baptist and his preaching and his baptizing of converts! The gospel of Jesus Christ began with John the Baptist, say 's this plain Scripture! So the baptism of John the Baptist was the baptism that always should go with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Acts 19:1-7 is a passage which has been used by the ultra-dispensationalists to discredit John's baptism. And I am sorry to say that the Scofield Bible does the same hurtful and foolish thing. But such people "do err, not knowing the Scriptures," for the very passage itself does not reflect at all upon the baptism administered by John the Baptist and by his disciples.

Apollos had been preaching at Ephesus. The Scripture says that he was "an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures" . . . "instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John" (Acts 18 :24,25). That Apollos "knew only the baptism of John" does not indicate that Apollos was wrong in doctrine, for the Scriptures had already plainly said that he was "mighty in the Scriptures" and was "instructed in the way of the Lord" and that he was "fervent in the spirit" that is, that he had the fervor of the Holy Spirit. It simply means that Apollos had been at Alexandria and elsewhere and had not been at Jerusalem when the mighty events of Pentecost transpired. Aquila and Priscilla "took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly" (literally, more completely) (Acts 18:26). That is, they told him the marvelous teaching of the fullness of the Holy Spirit which Jesus had given after His resurrection, and the wonderful experiences which the disciples had had through being empowered by the Spirit. Then in Acts 18:27, 28 we are told that Apollos was greatly commended by the disciples, and that when he came to Achaia he "helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ."

Then comes the passage in question, Acts 19:1-7, which says:

"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve."

We simply find above that Paul, coming to Ephesus, found some saved people who did not have upon them the power of the Holy Spirit which New Testament Christians had to win souls and which we ought to have.

Note that at Ephesus these men, about twelve, were "disciples" (Acts 19:1). They had "believed" (verse 2). And we know that all who have believed in Christ have everlasting life. On profession of their faith, they had been baptized (verse 3). To call such people, instructed by Apollos, unsaved, is foolish. If they were disciples who had believed and had confessed Christ openly in baptism, under the teaching of Apollos a man "mighty in the Scriptures" and "instructed in the way of the Lord" and fervent with the power of the Holy Spirit, then these people were saved. But they did not understand that they, too, could have the power of the Holy Spirit! Apollos had not taught them, just as many preachers do not teach today, that Christians can have the abundant power of the Holy Spirit coming on them for soul winning.

Paul told them that they should have received this power when they were baptized. Jesus received the power of the Holy Spirit when he was baptized. And believers at Pentecost and following were taught that they should receive the power of the Holy Spirit when they were baptized (Acts 2:38). And it was expressly stated that this promise was to all that are afar off, all that God should ever call (Acts 2:39). So, these new converts at Ephesus should have had the power of the Holy Spirit upon them, too, but they did not. They had not understood fully the meaning of baptism. And so Paul baptized them again, baptizing them exactly the way that Apollos (we suppose it was Apollos) had baptized them before. Only this time they understood the sweet meaning of baptism, that the old man was dead to sin and that now they reckoned themselves dead and were raised up to live new lives in the power of the Holy Spirit. And then Paul laid his hands upon them and "the Holy Ghost came on them."

And if Paul were to come in our churches today, he could find as many as twelve men in every church of any size who do not know anything about the power of the Holy Spirit, though they may have been baptized scripturally.

I am simply saying that John's baptism was Christian baptism.

Consider that John's baptizing was all that Jesus ever had. Consider that all the disciples were baptized the same way by John the Baptist. In fact, this was the very requirement one must fulfill to be an apostle, he must be selected "of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, Beginning from the baptism of John" said Peter in Acts 1:21,22. When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist He said, "Thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness" (Matt. 3:15), and so set an example for all Christians throughout the whole age.

John's kind of baptizing is not out of date, but is to last like the gospel he preached. Wherever John's gospel that "behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world" is preached, and wherever it is preached that "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" as John preached it (John 3:36), there new converts should be baptized the Bible way, as John the Baptist baptized them, as Jesus was baptized, as all the apostles were baptized by John, as Paul baptized his converts, and as we are commanded to baptize converts, "even unto the end of the world."

BAPTISM DOES NOT SAVE - DOES NOT HELP SAVE

BAPTISM DOES NOT SAVE - DOES NOT HELP SAVE

by Evangelist  John R. Rice (1895-1980)

       A favorite device of the Devil is to have men look to their works for their salvation instead of looking to Christ. He leads some to trust in their morality, some to depend upon lodge membership, some to depend upon confessions to priests; some he leads to trust in baptism. That is a fatal mistake. The unanimous voice of all the Scriptures is that people are saved by simple faith in Christ, without any act of righteousness, and baptism is never mentioned as a part of the plan of salvation. Baptism is an act of righteousness, for Jesus said in Matthew 3:15, "Thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness." Titus 3:5 says that such acts of righteousness do not save us:

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

Baptism is certainly a good work, but Ephesians 2:8,9 likewise says plainly that salvation is altogether a matter of God's mercy and not of our works :

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast."

Salvation is a gift of God which is not deserved, is not bought, and cannot be paid for. No church nor preacher nor the individual saved has any right to claim credit when a soul is saved.

In fact, we are told again and again in the Bible that the man who trusts in Christ has everlasting life immediately. John 3:36 says:

"He that believeth on the Son HATH everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

"Hath" means has, present tense, in modern English. Likewise, John 5:24 says:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, HATH everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but IS PASSED from death unto life."

The same teaching is given in John 6:47:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me HATH everlasting life."

In the Bible, we find it clear that people believed first and then were baptized. According to these statements from God's Word, they were already saved before they were baptized and any other man who trusts in Christ is saved that second, before he could possibly get to the baptismal waters. It does not take baptism to save one.

WHAT DOES "BAPTIZED FOR REMISSION OF SINS" MEAN?
In Acts 2:38, the term "for the remission of sins" is used as follows :

"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."

Some people think that this passage contradicts the dozens of other plain statements in the Bible that a man is saved by faith and saved immediately when he believes. But when you use the word for in this passage just as it is used so many times in every-day conversation, you will see what Peter said. A man is arrested for stealing; one is grateful for a favor; one is blamed for carelessness; one is commended for bravery. The word for here does not mean in order to or to secure remission of sins, and it is not rendered that way in any translation of the Bible we know of anywhere. The Greek word eis here translated for is sometimes translated in the Bible against, among, at, unto, upon, etc. It might properly be translated here "baptized upon the remission of your sins" or "baptized referring to, or pointing toward the remission of your sins," or "baptized in the remission of your sins." When one repents, he receives the remission of his sins. Then the obedient heart, following Christ in baptism, is promised the gift of the Holy Ghost, an entirely separate mutter from salvation. What Peter said was that people ought to repent and then, after their sins are forgiven, they should be baptized as evidence of that. That is exactly what people ought to be baptized for, that is, to show the remission of their sins. That Scripture, then, does not mean that people ought to be baptized in order to be saved.


"HE THAT BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED"
In Mark 16:16, believing and baptized are used together:

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

Christians are supposed to be baptized as soon as possible after they are saved. In Bible times they were usually baptized the same day, oftentimes the same hour of their conversion, even if it were midnight as in the case of the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:33. In fact, baptism is a public profession of faith. One can see baptism; one cannot see faith in the heart. It is natural to think of baptism following salvation, and Jesus said that those who believed and were baptized should be saved. He did not mean to contradict the rest of the Bible though, as you will see from the following words in the same verse, for He added. "But he that believeth not shall be damned." That makes it clear that the matter which settles it is believing just the same as is taught in John 3:18:

"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

The above verse, John 3:18, settles it that the man who believes in Christ is not condemned, whether or not he has been baptized. It also settles that the reason a man is condemned is "because he hath not believed." Salvation is settled by belief in Christ, and only by that.

BELIEVING DOES NOT INCLUDE BAPTISM
There are so many Scriptures which plainly state again and again that the man who believes in Christ is saved, that those who teach baptism is essential to salvation cannot deny that. They try to get around these many Scriptures, however, by saying that faith includes baptism, that is, if one believes in Christ, he will be baptized, and that faith is not complete until one is baptized. However, in Mark 16:16 Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized," showing that believing and being baptized are two different things. If believing includes baptism, then Jesus would not have added the word about baptism. If repenting includes baptism, Peter would not have said in Acts 2:38. "Repent and be baptized." No, they are not the same and are nowhere spoken of as the same in the Bible, nor is it ever stated in the Bible that believing includes baptism, nor that if one trusts Christ, he will be baptized. "He that believeth on the Son bath everlasting life" before he is baptized. Baptism does not save.

"BORN OF WATER" DOES NOT MEAN BAPTISM
"Born of water and of the Spirit" in John 3:5 is often quoted as if it referred to baptism. It most certainly does NOT, however. That passage says nothing about baptism, and in the same conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus repeatedly told just what it took to get this new birth. Read verses 14 to 18 and you will see that it is simply believing in Christ. "Born of water and of the Spirit" in John 3:5, is the same as "the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost" in Titus 3:5. That verse plainly says that this is "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us," by this birth of water and the Spirit, or cleansing of regeneration and being made alive by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:26 tells us how Christ gave Himself for the church "that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." But this washing takes place inside. James 1:18 tells us that "of his own will begat he us with the word ... ," and I Peter 1:23 says that we are "born again ... by the word of God." These Scriptures seem to mean that when one is saved, he is inwardly washed, cleansed, led to repentance and faith, by the Word of God, and made alive, spiritually, by the Holy Spirit. That, I believe, is the plain meaning of John 3:5, "born of water and the Spirit."

All of that happens on the inside of every sinner who is born of God. It is not on the outside, and is not baptism.

Notice the words again in John 3:5, "born of water and of the Spirit." The second "of" is in italics, which shows that it was not in the original Greek. Jesus said one must be "born of water and the Spirit," one birth. Jesus was only talking about one new birth, which happens on the inside. He did not say one needed to be born of the Spirit inside and of baptism outside, and did not mean so. John 3:5 does not refer to baptism.

"BAPTISM DOTH ALSO NOW SAVE US"
I Peter 3:21 is used as an argument that baptism saves people. Speaking of the ark "wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water," that passage continues:

"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."

All difficulty about this passage disappears when you take the first plain statement in the verse that this is a "figure." The ark was a figure and picture of salvation, and the ark was certainly a type of Christ. Baptism is a "like figure" and Roman 6:5 states that it is a "likeness" of the death, and a "likeness" of the resurrection of Christ. Peter then continues that baptism does not put away the filth of the flesh, and says that it is "the answer of a good conscience toward God." Baptism, then, is only a picture, or figure, of salvation, and the man who is baptized should already have a "good conscience." In Hebrews 9:14 we are told how the conscience is to be purged by the blood of Christ. Then, after that conscience is purged "from dead works to serve the living God" and one has a "good conscience," he has a right to be baptized.

One who is baptized professes to have a good conscience toward God, with his sins forgiven. If that is not true, he has no right to be baptized and baptism is a lie and an empty pretense. Baptism is only for saved people, the answer of a conscience cleansed and forgiven.

"BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST"
Some people have been troubled by the phrase "baptized into Christ" in Galatians 3:27, which reads:

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

However, that is very clear if you read the verse before it and the rest of the context. Verse 26 says plainly, "For ye are all the children of God BY FAITH in Christ Jesus." The whole book of Galatians is written to prove that people are saved not by works, but by faith.

"Baptized into Christ" should read "baptized unto Christ" and is often so translated. The same Greek word, eis, translated in our King James Version into in this particular verse, is translated in verses 23 and 24 of the same chapter, unto. It is translated unto in scores of cases, to in many others, and for in many cases.

Compare "baptized into Christ" in Galatians 3:27 and "baptized into Jesus Christ" in Romans 6:3 with a phrase just like them in I Corinthians 10:2, "baptized unto Moses." The word unto is a translation of the same Greek word eis as into in the other passages. If the covering of Israel in the cloud and Red Sea did not put Israel into Moses, then baptism does not, of course, put one into Christ. Rather baptism points "unto" Christ, of course.

What the Lord says here is that as many as have been baptized for Christ, or pointing toward Christ, or picturing Christ, have publicly claimed Him before the world as their Saviour. I Peter 3:21 plainly states that baptism is a figure or picture. Romans 6:5 says twice that baptism is a "likeness" of the death and resurrection of Christ and also pictures the new life which the Christians plan to live. Colossians 2:12 tells us the same thing. A person then should be baptized unto Christ, that is, for Christ and to picture the change of heart which he already has by faith in Christ. This Scripture simply bears out the many, many plain statements of the Scripture that one is saved by faith, and puts on in figure and likeness, before the world, what already God has put in the heart. God puts the light in us, we should let it shine. God works in us our salvation, and we are commanded to work it out. (Philippians 2:12,13).

"ARISE AND BE BAPTIZED AND WASH AWAY THY SINS"
Our friends who claim that baptism saves, or that one cannot be saved without baptism, sometimes quote Acts 22:16 as evidence that baptism saves:

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

Compare this with the Lord's account of what happened, as given in Acts 9:17. Ananias 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 Ghost."

Remember that baptism is a figure, or picture, according to I Peter 3:21 and Romans 6:5. When Paul quoted, "Wash away thy sins," he certainly meant to use figurative language. Baptism is a figure as the Lord has told us. Compare this language with Matthew 26:26, 28 where Jesus said, "This is my body" ... and "This is my blood." Jesus certainly meant, "This represents my body and my blood." "Be baptized, and wash away thy sins," certainly means, be baptized to picture the washing away of your sins. That is what baptism always does picture. Paul did not mean in Acts 22:16 to teach a different plan of salvation from that one he gave the jailer in Acts 16:31, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." Nor did he mean Acts 22:16 to contradict Acts 13:39 where he told the people at Antioch, "And by him all that BELIEVE are justified from all things." (Already saved without baptism!)

The man who depends on baptism to save him will go down in the water a dry sinner and will come up a wet sinner, but he need expect no change of heart in that water. Baptism is to picture a change of heart which happens when one trusts in Christ.

OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS SAVED BY FAITH, WITHOUT BAPTISM
We have the record of many people in the Bible who were saved without baptism. I remind you that God has never had but one plan of salvation. In the Old Testament it was "not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins" (Hebrews 10:4). In fact, the eleventh chapter of Hebrews tells us of case after case of people in the Old Testament times who were saved by faith. Acts 10:43 makes clear that the only plan of salvation taught in the Old Testament was by faith in Christ, just as it was preached in the New Testament. There, Peter said:

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."

Remember, there never was any plan of salvation but by faith. Every Old Testament sacrifice and ceremony was a picture and shadow and type of the Lord Jesus Christ, "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world!"

Now, all of these Old Testament saints were saved without baptism, for there is not a word in the Old Testament about baptism and no record of a single person's ever being baptized before John the Baptist began it. Baptism, then, is not a part of God's plan of salvation.

PEOPLE SAVED WITHOUT BAPTISM IN NEW TESTAMENT
Since the same plan of salvation was preached in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, and people were saved in the Old Testament without baptism, you would expect them to be saved in the New Testament without baptism, and they were. In Luke 7:37-50 is the story of a woman, a notorious sinner. Verses 47 to 50 in that seventh chapter of Luke tell us plainly that her sins were forgiven her and that her faith had saved her. Read carefully these Scriptures:

"Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, ARE FORGIVEN; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little." 

"And he said unto her, THY SINS ARE FORGIVEN" 

"And he said to the woman, THY FAITH HATH SAVED THEE; go in peace."

Jesus plainly stated that the woman was already forgiven and was already saved by faith. She knelt at the feet of Jesus, trusted Him, and went away a saved woman. She was saved without baptism.

In Luke 18:35-43 we are told about the healing and conversion of a blind man. Verse 42 tells plainly, in the words of Jesus Himself, just how he was saved:

"And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: THY FAITH HATH SAVED THEE."

Notice that salvation was received right there before he was baptized.

That is the same plan of salvation given throughout the book of John; in John 1:12, John 3:14-18, John 3:36, John 5:24, John 6:37, and many other places. It is the same plan taught by Peter after Pentecost (Acts 10:43). It was the same plan taught by Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, (Acts 13:38,39; Acts 16:30,31; Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 3:28 and Romans 4:5-8). People were saved in the Old Testament by faith without baptism, were saved during the life of Jesus by faith without baptism, and were saved after Pentecost by faith without baptism.

That publican, about whom the Saviour has told us in Luke 18:13,14 was saved without baptism. Standing there in the temple, he prayed, saying. "God be merciful to me a sinner." Jesus tells us about him then, that, "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified"! He was saved, then, without baptism.

THIEF ON THE CROSS SAVED WITHOUT BAPTISM
The most remarkable case of this kind is the thief converted on the cross as told in Luke 23:39-43. When that poor man turned to the Lord Jesus and asked to be in His kingdom, the Lord Jesus replied, "Verily I say unto thee, to day shalt thou be with me in paradise"! He died that day on the cross as we are told in the Scriptures and so could not have been baptized. But that day, according to the express statement of the Saviour, he went with Jesus to paradise. And some happy day, all who trust in Christ will see him there.

No, baptism is not essential to salvation.

TRUST JESUS FOR SALVATION
God has just one plan of salvation. It is not a process. It is not a series of steps. People are saved by faith in Christ, that way and no other way. Everything else that God asks of a sinner in order to be saved: repentance, prayer, coming to Christ, et cetera, is summed up and settled when one depends upon Christ for the forgiveness of his sins. One could not turn his mind or heart toward God (repentance), without faith in Christ. You cannot come to Christ without believing on Him. "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?" (Romans 10:14). 

Confession by the mouth simply proves faith in the heart which has already secured salvation. God has no other plan of salvation except that promised in John 3:16,18,36; John 5:24; John 6:47; Acts 16:30-31, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved." Baptism follows, should follow immediately, but is not a part of God's plan of salvation. When you are baptized, be sure that fact is made clear to those who look on. If you have this salvation, this change of heart by faith in Jesus Christ, then I beg you, follow Jesus in baptism as soon as possible

Baptism And Repentance

Mark 1:4, “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Acts 11:16, “Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.” Acts 11:21, “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.”

Carefully notice in our text passage in Acts 11:21 that they “TURNED UNTO THE LORD,” not FROM THEIR SINS! There are numerous great misunderstanding about “repentance” in the churches. Such verses as Mark 1:4 confuse many unlearned churchgoers, because they do not take into account the rest of the Bible. Mark 1:4 reads, “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” By itself, this verse seems like It is teaching Baptismal Regeneration, but it certainly is NOT. Mark 1:4 is referenced in Acts 11:16, “Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.” 

And a few verses later we read in Acts 11:21, “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” This is Biblical repentance. It is acknowledging one's self as a needy sinner,  and turning to the Lord by faith in the Gospel to be saved. Jesus doesn't forgive sin, Jesus paid for our sins on the cross! Therefore, forgiveness is a gift to them who BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.

Here's a doctrinally sound excellent book on the baptisms of the Bible, titled: “A Biblical Examination Of Baptism” (.pdf book by Pastor Max D. Younce). ...

The ONLY thing that you need to repent of to be saved is whatever it is that's been keeping you from coming to Christ to be saved.

Please note that NO mention of baptism is found in Acts 11 other than the one reference to John the Baptist in verse 16. Clearly, water baptism was not required for their salvation in Acts 16, just is it has never been required. John preached the same Gospel of Jesus Christ, as we preach today, that is, salvation by grace through faith in Christ's sacrifice on the cross, His burial, and bodily resurrection the third day, plus or minus nothing (Ephesians 2:8-9; 1st Corinthians 15:1-4; Titus 3:5).

The “Repent Of Your Sins” Heresy (Awesome! The Bible says that God “repented”—was it from His sins?) 

The “Repent Of Your Sins” Heresy (by Pastor Steven L. Anderson)

'Repentance From Sin' For Salvation Is Not Taught In The Bible (Dr. Don Boyd) 

Faith is the only righteous thing that I can do!

Dr. Jack Hyles 100% correctly and Biblically states concerning repentance:

“Repentance is not some little silly, 'I'm sorry.' Repentance is not simply a fear of God. Repentance is not a monk fasting and afflicting his body in a monastery. Repentance is not remorse because of sin's consequences. Repentance is not penance performed before the pope as you kiss his toe... Repentance is not being sorry for what I've done wrong. It is not confessing one's sins to a priest. It is not just conviction of sin. It is not the signing of a pledge of abstinence. Repentance is that thing when you come before God and see yourself as you are, and see Him as he is, and say with Isaiah 'Woe is me, for I am unclean!'” —Pastor Jack Hyles (1926-2001), a quote from the timeless MP3 sermon, 'THE GOODNESS OF GOD LEADETH TO REPENTANCE!'

Baptism Of Repentance (or Repentance Unto Life)

Biblical repentance is simply TURNING UNTO THE LORD by faith to receive the gift of forgiveness for one's sins. Acts 20:21 speaks of “REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD.” Acts 11:18 reads, “When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.” Repentance is a gift from God, a grace not of human works.

Notice that the Bible does NOT call this a repentance from sins. The “baptism of repentance” in Mark 1:4 is clearly not referring to water baptism, but to the “baptism of repentance.” This is the repentance unto life which can only be found in Christ Jesus. The Word of God does NOT teach that we must give up our sins to be saved. Christ came to save us from our sins, not we ourselves from sin. Consider the following definitions:

• penitence = sorrow for sins
• penance = making amend for one's sins
• reformation = turning from one's sins
• repentance = a change of mind
• regeneration = the new birth

The Bible does not require penitence, penance or reformation to be saved. Only repentance (a change of mind) is necessary, which facilitates believing, which is salvation!

Not one verse in the Bible commands us to turn from sin to receive God's free gift of eternal life. You don't have to forsake your sinful ways to be saved. If this were true, then no one could be saved because we are all sinners incapable of ceasing from sin. Even the best of Christians still commit sin! Believers shouldn't commit sin, but the fact of the matter is that we all do. So how can you tell an unsaved person to give up their sins to be saved? What percentage of sins must a person give up to be saved? The answer is none! Christ bore the weight of our sins upon the cross so that we wouldn't have to. Anyone who places the weight of sin upon the sinner's shoulder is preaching a false Gospel. Our part in salvation is simply to acknowledge that we are a needy sinner in God's eyes and BELIEVE THE GOSPEL (Romans 3:19). Jesus paid it all, nothing to Him I owe!!!

As I mentioned, there is a woeful misunderstanding about repentance circulating in our churches today. Acts 11:21, “And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.” Biblical repentance is TURNING to Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. The Bible doesn't say they turned from their sins, it says they turned to the Lord. Jesus doesn't forgive sin, He paid for our sins on the cross. 1st John 2:12, “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.” 1st John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God doesn't forgive you when you ask Him to forgive you, He forgiveness you when you place you trust in His only begotten Son.

Forgiveness of sins is a free gift, that you simply receive BY FAITH. 2nd Peter 2:1, “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” Jesus bought even false prophets! Christ died for all humanity, because all have sinned...

Romans 5:6-9, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”

Bible repentance is a change of mind. Mark 1:15 proclaims, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Notice here that repentance led to believing the Gospel. No mention is made about making a commitment to Christ, surrendering all to Him, nor of forsaking one's sinful bad habits to be saved. The object of repentance is not turning from sins (which would be reformation), it is believing the Gospel (which produces the miracle of regeneration. Redemption is a work of God the Son. Regeneration is the work of God the Holy Spirit. Justification is the work of God the Father as He declares the sinner righteous in the Son. Conversion then becomes the work of the church as we change the use and purpose of a life.

Infant Baptism Is Unbiblical

Matthew 3:16-17, “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Nowhere in the Holy Bible was an infant ever water baptized. When Jesus was water baptized, we read that He “WENT UP STRAIGHTWAY OUT OF THE WATER.” Jesus was baptized by total immersion under water, and then John the Baptist lifted Him up straightway out of the water. Baptism by sprinkling is unbiblical. Baptism is one's public profession of faith, not a part of getting saved. Martin Luther (1483-1546) and John Calvin (1509-1564) were religious contemporaries, who both taught the heresy of infant baptism. Martin Luther was an unsaved heretic, who taught that a person could not be saved without being water baptized, which you can read in his catechisms.

John Calvin did not teach Baptismal Regeneration, as did Mr. Luther, but Mr. Calvin was wrong on the Gospel, teaching Lordship Salvation. There are many heresies in churches today regarding water baptism. Biblically, we are commanded to be baptized, but only as a profession of one's faith, and always AFTER a person is born-again (not as a part of saving faith). Pastor Max D. Younce provides the following helpful exegesis from the Bible concerning infants being baptized:

II. INFANT BAPTISM A. 

Origin of Infant Baptism: Where did this damnable doctrine of baptizing infants ever come from? Your Catholic and Lutheran organizations, both, try to convince their parishioners that this is what God's Word teaches. The problem is, nowhere in the Bible can you find one verse that even hints that babies are to be baptized; nor, find that one infant that Paul, the other apostles, or anyone ever baptized! 

Should one desire to know the truth about who dreamed up this infant baptismal regeneration, which has deceived millions into eternal damnation; you might go to the Catholic organization for their answer. I would suggest you examine the Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 319, Paragraph 1252, "Infant Baptism," which reads as follows: 

"The practice of Infant Baptism is an immemorial TRADITION of the church. There is explicit testimony to this practice from the Second Century on, and it is quite possible, that from the beginning of the apostolic preaching, when whole "households" received baptism, infants may also have been baptized." 

In reading their statement, it reveals that infant baptism is a TRADITION; therefore not found anywhere in the Word of God! The words "quite possible" and "may also" show they are grasping at straws to try to give some kind of authority to an unscriptural TRADITION! 

"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." - Colossians 2:8 

"Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." - Proverbs 30:6

SOURCE: Pastor Max Younce - 'A Biblical Examination Of Baptism,' p. 5

If you believe the Bible there is no controversy! Amen! As Dr. Younce teaches, there is nothing taught in the Bible about baptizing babies. A baby is not old enough to comprehend sin and the Savior, so they are much too young to be saved. Young children certainly can be saved, once they reach the age of enlightenment (which varies from one child to another). I encourage you to listen to these helpful MP3 sermons by Pastor Younce...

Infant Baptist Refuted | Part Two