IS BAPTISM NECESSARY FOR SALVATION?
The teaching that water baptism is necessary for salvation is known as the doctrine of "Baptismal Regeneration." In examining the following references, our hope is to give clear and concise reasons why Calvary Chapel does not agree with this teaching.
1) The thief on the cross was given the promise of eternal life without being baptized as a Christian (Luke 23:40-43). This indicates that water baptism isn't a necessary precedent in order to go to Heaven.
2) In Acts 9, Saul of Tarsus is converted on the road to Damascus three days before he was ever water baptized. The fact that he was saved before he was baptized is evidenced by his reference to Jesus as his Lord (v.5), God's testimony to Ananias that Saul had been praying to Him (v.11), and Ananias' calling Saul his "brother" (v.17). All of this points to the fact that Saul was converted and saved before he was water baptized.
3) In Acts 10, those of the house of Cornelius are saved and baptized with the Holy Spirit before they are ever baptized in water (10:44-48). This would have been impossible if water baptism were required for salvation.
4) In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Paul declares the gospel "by which also you are saved" (Jesus' substitutionary death, burial, & resurrection). But take note that he does not mention water baptism in connection with the gospel of salvation.
5) Both Jesus and Paul demonstrated less of an emphasis on water baptism than on the proclamation of the gospel in their public ministries (John 4:2, 1 Corinthians 1:14). They prioritized the preaching of the gospel over baptizing because the it's the gospel that saves, not the act of baptism.
6) The book of 1 John was specifically written to provide assurance for Christians of their salvation (5:13). Yet it never mentions water baptism, much less its necessity or pre-requisite for salvation. If baptism were necessary for salvation, don't you think that John would have taught this or at the very least mentioned it in passing? How else could John have assured believers in their salvation unless baptism weren't required?
7) But the most fundamental reason why the act of water baptism must be unnecessary for salvation is that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ and not through any single work of man (Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Timothy 1:9, Titus 3:5). This is such an ingrained principle found throughout the New Testament that I find it amazing that many overlook this who uphold baptismal regeneration. We believe that baptism is a good work, but a work nonetheless. And that it diminishes God's grace by teaching that grace and something equals salvation. From the earliest days, man has sought to add to God's grace in order to be made righteous. This is essentially what baptismal regeneration does, even if those who teach and believe it have the very best of intentions.
On the other hand, there are really only three passages that seem to support baptismal regeneration at first read. Each of them can be easily explained when we take a closer look at the original grammar and context of these passages.
1) Mark 16:16, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." At first read, this seems to be saying that baptism and belief go hand and hand in being saved. But notice that the negative truth of damnation is conditional upon unbelief only. The only way to be damned is to not believe---the only way to be saved is to believe. Baptism is the natural act of following through with the salvation that God has already given you. Furthermore, according to the leading Greek scholar Spiros Zodhiates, 'The word "believe" is an aorist participle referring to one who has believed at some point in time in the past. But "is baptized" is in the passive voice. This form refers to an act of outward obedience, in this case, baptism. The correct translation should be stated, "he who believed and who was baptized shall be saved." But this does not necessitate baptism for salvation.
2) Acts 2:38, 'Then Peter said to them, 'Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of the Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" Again, the command to repent is the focus of this verse. The verb translated "be baptized" is in the indirect passive imperative which means that it does not have the same force as the direct command of "repent." A more literal translation would read, "repent and be baptized because of the forgiveness of sin" (that you've already received).
3) 1 Peter 3:21, "There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism." This really isn't a problem because Peter goes on to clarify his statement: "...baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Peter is saying that baptism itself doesn't remove your filth. Instead it indicates that you have been saved by virtue of the resurrection of Christ.
In the case of John 3:1-8, the context shows that the birth by water is a reference to physical birth from the womb, not water baptism. Anyone who has witnessed labor understands the role that water plays during delivery. Here's how it reads when viewed in this light:
(John 3:1-7 NKJV) There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. {2} This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." {3} Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." {4} Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" {5} Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water [physical birth] and the Spirit [spiritual birth], he cannot enter the kingdom of God. {6} "That which is born of the flesh is flesh [physical birth], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit [spiritual birth]. {7} "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again'" [born both physically and spiritually].
As for Romans 6:1-7, this passage is teaching us that baptism represents our identification with Christ's death and resurrection. It does not go on to state that baptism accomplishes or completes our salvation experience.
