FOUNDATIONALThe Necessity of Baptism

Question #1Is Baptism a required part of the

salvation process?

The Essential ElementsA person following the salvation process

must be a person capable of making sound, rational decisions. They must also be

accountable to God, their choices, and the consequences of those choices. They must be aware - of their sin - and by study the

redemption found within faith and commitment to the Lord. They must

know what they are doing!

ExamplesThe crowd at Pentecost - Acts 2The Ethiopian Eunuch - Acts 8

Saul of Tarsus - Acts 9Lydia & Philippian Jailer – Acts 16

Baptism + SalvationThe following passages connect baptism,

salvation, and the Church:

Matthew 28:19,20; Mark 16:16Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3,4

First Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5

First Peter 3:21

The Essential ElementsNot only must a person know what they are doing, they must go about it the right way.

The Greek work baptitzo signifies immersion. The acts of pouring and sprinkling are new ideas introduced after Apostolic teaching. It wasn’t until 1311 that the church recognized sprinkling as an official “option” for baptism (Council of Ravenna). How you are baptized

matters!

Question #2Can we be saved by Faith alone?

A Contradiction?Romans 3:22-27 does not explicitly mention baptism (or repentance for that matter) in

relation to our salvation. There is no contradiction however. What we have is evidence that a truth emphasized in one

passage may be enlarged or enhanced by other passages. The very same author

enhances those statements in Romans 6:3,4 and connects baptism and salvation.

ExamplesEphesians 2:8 + 5:26

Acts 2:21 + 2:38Romans 10:12 + 6:3,4

Faith Leads UsIt is our faith that brings us to an

understanding about baptism and its necessity. See Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts

8:35,36).

James 2:14-20 tells us that faith motivates a person to act. The unbeliever to believe and

the believer to work. Faith cannot exist without a response!

Question #3Is Baptism all I need?

A Tough Pill to SwallowIt is possible to lose your faith after you are

baptized. It is possible to face eternity without faith even though you were

baptized. It is possible to fall from God’s grace.

We are not once-saved, always saved even when we are baptized.

ExamplesAnanias + Sapphira – Acts 5:1-11

Romans 16:17-20Second Timothy 4:9,10

Titus 3:9-11

A BeginningBaptism is not the end of one’s journey to faith, but the beginning of one’s journey in faith. It is one of the steps you must take to

ensure you are pleasing to God and following His commandments. It is required. It is

necessary. It is foundational to the Lord’s Church and you can’t be sure to be in His

good graces if you are not baptized.

FOUNDATIONALThe Necessity of Baptism