Is Water Baptism Really That Important?

This question is a frequently ask question, especially by those who are not members of the church of Christ. Sometimes it is an honest inquiry, other times it is to generate a controversy. For the honest inquirer, a presentation of the evidence is convincing and enlightening. To others regardless of the evidence presented there will be the attitude of rejection and resistance. For some the answer to the question is too simple, for others the answer is to hard.

In this article the intent is not to suggest any of the following. It is not to suggest that there is any power in the water in relation to baptism. It is not to suggest that baptism is any more important than any other condition of salvation revealed in scripture. It is not to advocate that baptism alone will save anyone.

The purpose of this article is to honestly look at the scriptures to see what the bible says about the importance of water baptism in relation to one’s salvation from sin. To encourage an honest inquiry into the subject with the intent of understanding what the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:17) “wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is”.

Is baptism really that important? It seems that the Lord thought so. In every account of conversion in the book of Acts Baptism is the only condition necessary that is mentioned in every single account. It is as though the Lord anticipated the denial of some to its importance and to settle the issue placed it in every account. If you can take time and read through the book of Acts and note each conversion and what took place. One would be hard pressed to read through that great book and deny the importance placed upon it.

In further consideration of the subject note what the New Testament says regarding it in various passages. First consider John 3:3-5 “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” It is generally conceded by many authorities that the water under consideration is water baptism not natural childbearing. If it is referring to child bearing, what about those babies that are dry born. They could never be born again. A person would also do well to note the emphasis on “born again”. Secondly, baptism puts one into Christ (Galatians 3:27) “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Romans 6:3-4). “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” What is so important about being in Christ? It is very important! Salvation is in Christ (2 Timothy 2:10). “Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” We also learn from the scriptures that grace is in Christ (2 Timothy 2:1) “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” We learn that to be saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) we must be in Christ Jesus and to get into Christ one must be baptized. We also in our investigation learn that baptism is for the remission (removal) of sin. “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.” The word “for” eis is not because of the remission of sin but with a view to or in order to the remission of sin. In Matthew 26:28 “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Jesus is clearly not saying this is my blood which is shed for many because your sins have already been forgiven, but rather with a view to or in order to receive the remission of sin. Baptism also puts one in contact with the blood of Christ. Jesus shed His blood in his death John 19:34-35. One is baptized into his death where His blood was shed (Romans 6:3-4). The blood is what washes our sin away (Revelation 1:5) “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,” Baptism is when the blood is applied that removes sin “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

From the foregoing considerations I believe any honest inquirer can realize while it is not the only condition of salvation, the Lord did make it a condition of salvation. No more so, but equally important as faith, repentance and confession of Christ in relation to the remission of anyone’s sin. IS BAPTISM REALLY THAT IMPORTANT? The bible says it is, what do you say?

Bill Cantrell