The proposition suggested in the title should not be controversial at all, but unfortunately it is. Even though the Bible is very clear on the subject, many will almost automatically deny that baptism has anything to do with one’s personal salvation. If the subject is well defined, agreement can be reached.
Water baptism means immersion in water. Our Lord set the example by requesting baptism from his cousin, John the Baptist (Matt. 3:13). That Jesus was immersed is seen from Matthew’s gospel. “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him” (vs. 13). When he was baptized, Jesus “went up straightway out of the water.” It is obvious that to come up out of something, one must have been down in something. The word baptism mean immersion.
Water baptism must be preceded by faith and repentance. Look at these verses of scripture:
Mark 16:15-16: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Jesus says the one who believes and is baptized will be saved. That which must be believed is the gospel, which Jesus said must be preached to the whole world. The believer must also be baptized to be saved. It is not “he who believes is saved, and should be baptized,” but “he who believes and is baptized shall be saved.”
Acts 2:38: “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.”
This is an inspired response to the question, “What shall we do?” The question was asked by those under the conviction of sin. They wanted relief and Peter’s answer recognizes their faith, thus tells them to “repent and be baptized.” He also tells them the design and purpose of water baptism. He said it is “for the remission of sins.” The preposition “for” has been questioned. Some say it actually means “because of” — because your sins are remitted. Notice the coordinate conjunction “and.” It couples repentance and baptism. It is unreasonable to think baptism is required because sins are already remitted and repentance is in order to remission of sins.
The expression “for the remission of sins” is found elsewhere in the New Testament. When Jesus was with his disciples at Passover, he gave them a memorial to be observed after His death, burial, resurrection and ascension. Read the verse:
Matt. 26:28-20: “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
“For the remission of sins” tells us the purpose and design of the shedding of the blood of Jesus. It is unthinkable that anyone could believe Jesus shed his blood because sins were already forgiven! It is the same expression as used by Peter in Acts 2:38. Whatever purpose is assigned to the shedding of Christ’s precious blood must also be assigned to the purpose of water baptism. Baptism is only for the believer who will repent.
Baptism is a voluntary act the penitent believer must allow to happen. Notice the number of times the passive is used.
“And were baptized of him …” (Matt. 3:6).
Jesus came to “be baptized of him” (Matt. 3:13).
“He that believeth and is baptized …” (Mark. 16:16).
“Then came the publicans to be baptized …” (Luke 3:12).
“The publicans justified God, being baptized …” (Luke 7:30).
“Repent and be baptized …” (Acts 2:38).
“But when they believed Philip … they were baptized” (Acts 8:12)
“Arise and be baptized …” (Acts 22:16).
There are others, but these suffice to show that penitent believers are required to submit to water baptism in order to be saved. The Bible is emphatic that baptism saves. There are some things about which a lot of study and meditation are necessary, but not this proposition. Does baptism save? Let inspiration answer.
“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” (1 Pet. 3:21).
The “figure” baptism is like is the deliverance of Noah and his family from the flood. Water was instrumental in the salvation of Noah. Just like that, water baptism is instrumental in saving “us” — penitent believers. Some understand the passage to teach baptism only saves figuratively, that it is a symbolic act, having no real value regarding salvation. The last phrase says baptism saves us, “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Baptism no more figuratively saves than Jesus was figuratively raised from the dead.
Noah and his family were separated from the old world of sin to a new world by the waters of the flood. Penitent believers are separated from the old life of sin by the waters of baptism.
Some relegate water baptism to an option and not a requirement for salvation. Please ponder this: baptism in water for the remission of sins is the one, and only, command ever given in the Bible that is associated with the sacred name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. We urge you, if you have not been baptized, or if you have been confused about it, to accept what the Bible says and obey your Lord now.