Is baptism required for salvation?

Is baptism a work of righteousness? According to Jesus it is (Matthew 3:15) and we are not saved by our works of righteousness (Titus 3:5[And many other verses]).

No matter how you look at it, water baptism is a work, it is something you do, and according to the Scriptures we are not saved by works, I assume you already know the many verses so I dont need to post them all here, I will list a couple references though: Gal 2:21, Eph 2:8-9; Rom. 4:5; Rom 5:1, 2 tim 1;9; rom. 3:20; Rom. 3:28; etc.

How do you get around these verses to teach that baptism is required for salvation? Do you believe in baptismal regeneration? If so, how about the example of Cornelius, where he is given the Holy Spirit and saved by hearing the Gospel and believing, and only AFTER that fact he is baptized, how is that possible if baptismal regeneration is true?

Paul said he was sent to preach the Gospel and not to baptize. If baptism is required for salvation, this would make no sense.

Water baptism is not required for salvation. Holy Spirit baptism is the baptism through which we are made alive unto Christ. We are regenerated unto eternal life by Holy Spirit baptism. There is only one Holy Spirit baptism and God administers it the moment we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

Scripture gives the answer . . .

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27)

"And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses" (Colossians 2:10-13).

Water baptism follows faith in Christ and is the answer of a good conscience. It is a word picture that depicts our first testimony of salvation being the death (enter the baptistry), burial (being immersed completely) and resurrection (departing the waters of the baptistry).

No.....immersion is the first act of obedience, it is the public testimony of your faith, it is a picture or painting of what has been accomplished inwardly..I.E. by faith you have died with Christ, been buried with Christ and are risen a new creation in Christ Jesus.......it is an answer of a good conscience toward God....it does not help save you, keep you saved, top off salvation, embellish or finish salvation.........!!

Water Baptism comes after regeneration, see Acts 10

John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Greek scholar Daniel Wallace explained it well: Water baptism is not a cause of salvation, but a picture; and as such it serves both as a public acknowledgment (by those present) and a public confession (by the convert) that one has been Spirit baptized.

H....,
Don't be miss led abut works as defined here (yes...most do not understand what works is as defined by scripture).
Stick with the Bible.

If baptism is works so is repentance. If if baptism is rejected because of works so also must we reject repentance. Then please tell me how we become ....born again?

Can you educate us on what works mean then if baptism is not a work? It requires co-operation between two people. Sounds like a work to me. Im willing to be proven wrong though, what you got?

And how do we come born again without baptism? How about faith.

Water bapism is just as important as reading the Bible

To me too

Extremely important yes.

I would also want Preston to tell us what if you are ALONE and there is no one to baptize you? (Desert, shipwreck etc.) Certainly you can still be saved, right?...... RIGHT?!

Immersion in water is an outward sign of an inward renewal through the Holy Spirit. It resembles the ritual bath in Judaism. Immersion into the "grave", as was Jesus Immersed into bodily death on the cross. And then ascension into a new creation, when arising from the waters, as Jesus did when he conquered physical death and walked from the tomb in a new body.

We die like Christ to our old self through Baptism. And we arise as a new creation having left the sinner old self in the grave.
Baptism is important because it completes the ritual of being more than human in this life where others die unredeemed and remain so.
Living water is used by churches for Baptism. Ocean, river, etc...If you are not a member of a church so as to receive Baptism, or are not near a body of living water, there are people I know who ritualize their renewal in their bathtub. God knows you first. How you Baptize yourself doesn't negate what he does for you in the covenant of Salvation and rebirth.

amen

So these people baptized themselves? Hmm. Where is that in the Bible?

Im also interested, what words do they use? "I baptize myself in the name of ..?"

Where is it in the Bible that someone must be Baptized by an official?
As to the words they'd use? The ones that are in the Bible that Jesus told them to use. The new covenant the faithful enter into is a relationship. An intimate relationship with the source of all creation. How do you seek to condemn a personal relationship's beginning with immersion into water so as to enter into God's grace filled eternal irrevocable gift that is Salvation.

Because you think someone who has no church and thus Baptizes themselves aren't entitled? God knows whom He calls to His son.

The bible doesnt say you must be baptized by an official, and I have actually claimed earlier on this forum when asked that ANY born again believer can baptize.

The Bible does record someone else baptizing someone, every time. There is not a single "solo baptism" happening.
But hey, I guess if you got no other option.

If we were to think Baptism requires someone else for us, then we would in effect be giving rise to a priesthood.
No brother or sister in Christ have any more authority to Baptize than the other one.
We are all one in Christ.

Did you not read my post where I said that I believe all born again believers CAN baptize, so I am agreeing with you there,and there is a priesthood. Of believers:

Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Let us look to the words of John the Baptist which plainly said:

Mar_1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

This verse is plain and clear, there are two different baptisms. There is water baptism that we should do if we are able to do so, to fulfill Righteousness. There is Holy Ghost Baptism that a persons heart is changed forever. One is required for Salvation, the other is not.

There is only one baptism that is Required for one to be Saved, and that is a Holy Ghost baptism, the moment your life changed because you believed in Jesus, and all your sins were washed away, a New Heart was given to you.

Water Baptism is not Required for Salvation but is something that we should all do if we are able to do so
Giving to the poor is something that we should all do if we are able to do so
Visiting the sick is something that we should all do if we are able to do so
Feeding the hungry is something that we should all do if we are able to do so
Clothing the naked is something that we should all do if we are able to do so
Helping those in need is something that we should all do if we are able to do so
All these things are things we should do, but are NOT Required for Salvation. ONLY ONE Baptism is required for Salvation that that is the Holy Ghost Baptism that Jesus does for us.

Mar_1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

Which baptism do you think this verse is referring to: Water Baptism or Holy Ghost Baptism. Which ever one you pick, the other you think is less important.

Holy Ghost Baptism = Required for Salvation
Water Baptism = Not Required for Salvation but is something we should do if we are able to do it.


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††† In His Holy and Precious Name, Jesus Christ †††

DiscipleDave