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Is Water Baptism Essential  for Salvation?

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The Bible explicitly tells us that water baptism is not the Old Testament kind of circumcision, i.e. done by the hands of men, (Col. 2:11) but a circumcision done by Jesus Christ (Col. 2:11), by God (Deut. 30:6), and by the Holy Spirit (Rom. 2:29). It is the circumcision of the heart through water baptism.

What is the relationship of circumcision with water baptism? But before we go through that let us first know the apostles’ teaching with regards to circumcision.

There was a sudden uproar of discussion when Paul, Barnabas and some other believers went up to Jerusalem because some doctrines being propagated by some men from  Judea to Antioch that unless a person is circumcised according to the custom taught by Moses, that person will not be saved. (cf. Acts 15:1-2). Remember, this is a very crucial matter because it talks about our eternal life, how a person is to be saved.

Acts 15:6 says “the apostles and elders met to consider this question.” They had to consider whether this is necessary or not.  The apostles and elders should “hold  firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he could encourage others by  sound doctrine (i.e. right teaching) and refute those who oppose it.” Titus 1:9. They should uphold what Jesus taught them and not change it. The Bible says in Acts 15:7 “after such discussion Peter got up and addressed them...” and he concluded by saying “NO! we believe it is through the GRACE of our Lord Jesus that we are SAVED, just as they are.” v.11.

Take note of what Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For it is by GRACE you have been SAVED, through FAITH-- and this not from yourselves, it is the GIFT of GOD-not  by works, so that no one can boast.” We are saved by GRACE through FAITH. Remember, grace is a gift of God, no one can do anything for himself to be saved not even by works especially water baptism. I Peter 1:18-19 says “For you know it is not with perishable things... that you were redeemed... but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.” We are redeemed with the blood of Jesus and not with water.

Now that you already know circumcision cannot save you, such is the case of water baptism because they are somewhat related. Medically speaking, circumcision is cutting-off the flesh while water baptism symbolizes “putting off the sinful nature (i.e. flesh).” How does it symbolize?  That is when Christ died we are “...united in Him like this in His death.” Romans 6:5; when He was buried we are “...buried with Him through baptism,” Romans 6:4; and when He resurrected we are “...raised from the dead through the glory of the Father.” Romans 6:4

To conclude all these things, a person must be baptized because of what Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 28:19 and that we must follow His example just like when He was baptized in water by John because 1 Peter 2:21 says, “To this you  were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” To rule out baptism in water means to disobey Christ’s command and example and to say that water baptism is essential for a person to be saved in addition to the GRACE of God through FAITH in His Son is to say that Jesus Christ, the Father’s indescribable gift to us is not yet enough.

Now where should we stand? A true born-again person who has repented of his sins (1 John 1:12) and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ in his heart as Lord and Savior by grace through faith is already assured of his eternal life. The Bible says...”it is by grace you  have been saved, through faith.” Ephesians 2:8. After that, a true born-again Christian must be  baptized, not for him to be saved again, but as a proclamation of his faith in Christ just like what the Ethiopian Eunuch did after believing the Good News of Jesus (Acts 8:35-38).

To know the biblical interpretation (hermeneutics) of  Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; John 3:5;  Romans 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:21, read this.