Foundational Doctrines: Baptism, Salvation's Entry Point

Almost every “Christian” religious group practices and teaches some form of baptism. Some baptize infants, others adults. Christian groups sprinkle or pour while others practice total immersion in water. There are those that teach that “baptism in the Spirit” and “baptism in water” are separate events. Baptist groups teach the necessity of baptism, yet cannot bring themselves to say that baptism is essential for salvation. There is great debate and disagreement about this central Christian doctrine. What can we know with confidence regarding this fundamental teaching?

1. Baptism is the moment when you call upon the Lord to save you. Religious works of human righteousness cannot save anyone. We are only saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). In order to be saved, we must “call upon God” to save us by his grace (Acts 2:21). Many mistakenly assume that “calling upon God” occurs in prayer, but the Bible teaches that this occurs in the event of baptism: “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). Baptism as a religious rite does not save anyone. However, baptism does “now save” us since it is the God-ordained event where we “appeal to God for a good conscience” (1 Peter 3:21). Only an adult can make this appeal.

2. Baptism is the moment when you are united with Christ. Jesus is the only “way” of salvation and relationship with God (John 14:6). There is no “other name” by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). Therefore, the Bible teaches that it is essential that we be “baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 2:38; cf. Matt. 28:19). At baptism we are “buried” with Christ into his death (Rom. 6:4). Immersion in water mimics this burial (Col. 2:12). In fact, the English word “baptism” actually comes from a Greek word that means “to plunge, to dip, to immerse.” In baptism we are “united with Christ” and we arise to a new life (Rom. 6:4-5). Clearly a person is not united with Christ prior to baptism. The new life (of salvation) begins only after one has been united with Christ in baptism.

3. Baptism is when you receive the forgiving power of Jesus’ blood. Only Jesus’ pure blood can provide cleansing and freedom from our sin (Rom. 5:9; Rev. 1:5). Jesus blood was “poured out for many” in his death on the cross (Matt. 26:28). We contact Jesus’ death (and therefore his blood) when we are “baptized into his death” (Rom. 6:4).

4. Baptism is the moment of contacting the power of Jesus’ resurrection. The real power of salvation is found in the power of God. We must have faith in the “powerful working of God” that occurs when we are “buried with him in baptism” (Col. 2:12). Baptism saves us because it is the place God has determined where we contact the power of Jesus’ resurrection (1 Peter 3:21-22).

5. Baptism is the moment of spiritual rebirth and renewal. In order to enter the kingdom of God, it is absolutely essential that we be “born again” (John 3:3-8). This spiritual rebirth occurs when we are “born of water” and “born of the Spirit” (John 3:5). At the event of Christian baptism, we are immersed in water and we receive the gift of God’s Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32). The power of God’s Spirit saves us, not our own works. At baptism, God saves us by his mercy “by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit”
(Titus 2:5).

God has determined that baptism is the moment when he saves a penitent believer by his grace and the blood of his Son Jesus Christ. It is salvation’s entry point—when the new life begins.