Bible Truth FAQs

IS BAPTISM ESSENTIAL?

Much ado has been made over the essentiality of baptism in the New Testament plan of salvation. Many who accede to the act of baptism claim it is non-essential. To understand baptism it would be well to note what the Bible says baptism does.

1. It removes the guilt of sin (Acts 2:38). Repentance removes the practice of sin, whereas baptism is for the remission (forgiveness) of sin.

2. It puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27). All spiritual blessings, including an eternal inheritance, are in Christ (Eph. 1:3, 11). The Bible mentions no other act which puts one into Christ.

3. It saves (I Pet. 3:20-21). Baptism only does not save any more than faith only. It supplements other essentials.

Those claiming non-essentiality are in effect saying (1) remission of sins, (2) getting into Christ, and (3) salvation are all non-essential. This is plain opposition to what the Bible actually teaches.

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