Expert: Joe Norman - 5/28/2008

Question
i have visited sites concerning baptism, and im really confused... please help... i can't seem to find what's wrong or what's right because you all have good answers....

http://www.allaboutgod.com/is-baptism-necessary-for-salvation.htm

http://www.carm.org/questions/baptnec.htm

http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=5367

Answer
Hi again,

I want to apologize once more for taking so long to answer you. Normally I respond immediately. Anyway, I noticed that you have asked others here these same questions and brother Ernie gave excellent answers to you already. Although you claim you can't find what is right and what is wrong because both sides have good answers, you only linked sites that teach against the need for water baptism. If you really would like for me to respond to each point that is made from those three sites, I can do that. Just let me know in a follow-up.

There is only a few additional things I wish to add from the last response I posted to you yesterday.

One of those sites seemed to think it was important to note that Jesus didn't baptize anyone and Paul only baptized "a few". The short answer to why this was is because who does the baptizing was not important. But you also need to remember that Jesus had not yet died on the cross and risen again so the New Covenant had not yet been established. (Heb.9:16-18)

This is also significant in response to those who point toward the theif on the cross as proof that water baptism is not necessary. Jesus was God in the flesh and so had the authority to save anyone He chose to save and the New Covenant had not yet been established. It was established on the day of Pentecost(Acts 2).

Now some will point to the first chapter in I Corinthians as proof that water baptism is not necessary, but it is easy to see that was not the point of the things Paul wrote there.

1 Cor.1:10-31
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ."

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)

17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

The problem Paul was addressing was divisions within the church at Corinth. They thought it was important who did the baptizing and were claiming that some were superior Christians because of who baptized them. Paul explains this is not the case. ALL ARE ONE IN CHRIST JESUS. Paul's plea is for unity in Christ Jesus and this is the plea of the church today as well.

We do not FORCE water baptism upon anyone, but do teach it to be necessary for salvation because that is clearly what is revealed in the New Testament. Those who believe it is not necessary seek to teach what the serpent taught in the garden of Eden. They think God did not mean what He said.

Having said all this, NOTHING is able to save anyone by itself. To listen to the gospel message is something we do. To believe it to be true is something we do. To repent of our sins is something we do. To confess Jesus as the Son of God is something we do. To be baptized is to submit our will to the will of God and trust in His promise to forgive us and make us born again of water and the spirit (John 3:3-5).

Do a word search with e-sword software or any other one and seach for all passages in the New Testament that have the word saved. Then look at all the ones that have the word salvation. Do your own in depth research because we all must study to show ourselves approved.

Last, I think the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 is a good shadow of Christian baptism. We do not need to be immersed seven times or anything, but there are similarities. The power to cleanse Naaman from his leprosy was NOT in the water. Yet, he would not be cleansed or healed until he submitted his will to God's will. He had to humble himself. The same is true today regarding salvation and water baptism.

If you need any clarifications, have a follow-up question, or would like me to take each link you provided and respond to each point they make, just let me know and I will be more than happy to help. I pray that I have been of some assistance to you in clearling up your confusion.

               In Christ, Joe Norman