Prominent Religious Doctrines:
“Baptism Does Not Wash Away Sins”

Many in the religious world today deny that baptism is necessary for the remission of sins. Most every religious group today teaches that baptism is a sign that you are saved, but it is not needed to save you. (An outward sign of an inward grace.) Have you heard this before? I am sure that this doctrine has been heard by most all of our dear readers. Let us consider some arguments people make to justify their not being baptized and compare them with the Scriptures.

Some say that since there is no negative to baptism in Mark 16:16, then baptism is not necessary for salvation. Let me explain. Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mk. 16:16). After reading this, some say, “Since Jesus didn’t say ‘but he that believeth not and is not baptized shall be damned’ then baptism is not necessary.” However, one who says this is not considering what the Lord has said. When Jesus laid out the things necessary for being saved, He said one must believe and be baptized. However, to be condemned, just do not believe. For example, one could say, “He that eateth and digesteth his food shall live, but he that eateth not, shall die.” Why did we not say, “... and digesteth not”? Would digestion take place if there were no eating? Of course, not! If one does not eat, there will be no digestion! So also with faith and baptism. If one does not believe in Christ, he would not be baptized if he could, and could not be baptized if he would! Therefore, there was no need for Christ to say “and shall not be baptized ...” or words to that effect.

When people teach that one is baptized in order to show he is saved, they will often use Acts 2:38. This passage says, “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.” After reading this, some will suggest that the phrase “for the remission of sins” means because they already had it! They would suggest that it is similar to the sentence: “I’ll take two aspirins FOR this headache.” They then say that one would not take an aspirin to GET a headache, but because you already had the headache! Therefore, they say, baptism is for (because you already have) the remission of sins. Yes, it is true that when one takes aspirin, it is not to get a headache. At the same time, we need to understand that taking aspirin is for the RELIEF of the headache! One doesn’t have relief from the headache until the aspirin has been ingested, does he? So also, baptism is for the remission of sins. One does not have remission until he has repented and been baptized!

Another argument used by those who say baptism is not necessary for salvation is in I Peter 3:20-21. Peter said, “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 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.” After reading this, some claim that baptism is a “figure” of man’s salvation. These people say that one is saved, and baptism shows one’s salvation; it is a “figure” of what has already happened. Of course, if this is true, then what of Christ’s resurrection (v. 21)? Was it only a “figure,” or did Jesus actually rise from the dead? In truth, “the like figure” is not referring to baptism, but to the salvation of Noah’s family in the ark. Just as Noah’s family was “saved by water” (v. 20), having gone into the ark, so baptism saves men, and puts them into Christ (Gal. 3:27). While both Noah and men today use that element of water, it was not “water salvation” as men are wont to say, but it is lovingly obeying God’s will that ultimately brings about salvation. Noah had it (Gen. 6:22), and men need it today (Jn. 14:15, 23-24; I Jn. 5:3).

I would be happy to discuss these things with any of our dear readers in further detail. If any are interested in continuing this dialog, please contact me using the information at the bottom of this page. If you have been one fighting against God’s will by saying baptism is not necessary for salvation, why not repent of that today, and be baptized for the remission of your sins (Acts 2:38). If I can help you in doing what you need to do to please God, please let me know (Heb. 5:8-9). - Jarrod Jacobs