What Happens at Baptism

Before continuing, I’d like to review what happens at baptism in more detail because many wrongly teach that baptism is the following:

• A “good work of man”;
• An “outward sign of inner faith” merely performed out of obedience, that is, not “for the forgiveness of your sins” as stated in Scripture (see Act 2:38; 8:36–39; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; Mar 16:16; Joh 3:3–5; Gal 3:27; 1Pe 3:21; Rom 6:3–10; 1Co 6:11; 12:13; Col 2:12; Tit 3:5–7; 1Jn 5:6; Eph 5:26; cf. Isa 1:18; Jer 31:34; Psa 103:12); and it is therefore
• Not required for salvation (i.e., not required to be born again).

However, nothing could be further from the truth, and those who claim that one is born again before baptism need to restudy the matter carefully.[1] [3] [4]

Let’s review what happens at your baptism:

1. It is at baptism that your sins are forgiven, as Scripture clearly states: “Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Act 2:38; “wash away your sins,” Act 22:16; cf. Mar 16:16; Rom 6:3–10; 1Co 6:11; Eph 5:26; Tit 3:5–7; Rev 7:14; Psa 103:12; Isa 1:18). This is initial salvation (forgiveness of sins).[5]
2. It is at baptism that you have been “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1Pe 1:3; cf. Mar 16:16; Joh 3:3–8; 1Pe 1:23). Note that one cannot be born again unless their sins are forgiven (see point 1). Baptism symbolizes putting to death the old self and putting on the new (see point 3).
3. It is at baptism that you die to your old self (2Co 5:17; Col 3:3–4), having been “crucified with Christ” (see Gal 2:20; 5:24; 6:14; Rom 6:6) and “buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead” (Rom 6:4).
4. It is at baptism that you are “raised up with Him through faith” (Col 2:12; cf. Eph 2:6) to “walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:4) as “a new creature [person]” (2Co 5:17; cf. Gal 6:15), “dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Rom 6:11–13; cf. Rom 6:2; 1Co 6:20; Col 3:3–5).
5. It is at baptism that you become “blessed and holy” and part of the “first resurrection” (Rev 20:6; cf. Col 2:12; 3:1; Mat 5:9; Psa 23:3; Isa 55:31; 1Jn 3:14; Joh 3:5–9; 5:24; 11:25; Eph 2:1, 5; 1Co 15:22, 47; 2Co 5:17; Tit 3:5; 1Pe 3:18), as you are resurrected from death to new life in Christ and have your name recorded in “the book of life” (Php 4:3; Rev 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; cf. Rev 21:27).[6]
6. It is at baptism that you “put on Christ” (Gal 3:27 ESV; Rom 13:14; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10). In effect, you put on Jesus’ righteousness like a “white garment”[7] so you will be clothed in it on Judgment Day (if you persevere in faith and also don’t “disqualify” yourself by continued sinful actions; see 1Co 9:27). Christ’s righteousness is counted as your own (Rom 5:17; 8:10; 1Co 1:30; 2Co 5:21; Php 1:11; 3:9) when you stand before the Lord on the Day of Judgment.
7. It is at baptism that you receive “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Act 2:38; 10:45; 15:8; cf. Joh 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7–15; Rom 5:5; 8:15–16, 26–27; 14:17; 15:13). You now “abide in Me [Christ], and I in you” (Joh 15:4), and you are now living “by the Spirit” of God, not by your own might or power.[8]
8. It is at baptism that you are “sealed” (see 2Co 1:22; Eph 1:13–14; 4:30; Rev 7:3–4; 9:4; cf. Psa 23:5) by the Holy Spirit, which “marks” (signifies) that you now belong to God (as opposed to being marked and owned by the devil; see Rev 13:16; 14:9; 20:4).[9]^{, [10]} This also serves as a down payment (also “pledge,” “first fruits,” and “seal”; see Eph 1:13–14; 4:30; 2Co 1:22; 5:5; Rom 8:23) of your eternal, glorified inheritance to come[11] and a guarantee for “the day of redemption” (Eph 4:30)—if you remain faithful (Col 1:23).[12]
9. It is at baptism that you are “reconciled to God” (Rom 5:10–11; 2Co 5:18–20; cf. Mat 27:51; Mar 15:38; Luk 23:45; Col 1:20–22), “having made peace” with God (Col 1:20–22; cf. Mat 5:9; Rom 5:1–2; Eph 2:14–20; 6:15; 2Co 13:11; Psa 119:165). You also become a “friend” (see Joh 15:13–15; Luk 12:4; Jas 2:23) of God, “beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ” (Jud 1), and you are no longer “an enemy of God” (Jas 4:4; cf. Act 13:10; Col 1:20–22; Rom 5:1, 10–11; 8:7; Joh 15:23; Eph 2:16; Gen 3:15).
10. It is at baptism that you willingly become a “bond-servant”[13] of Christ (Rom 1:1; Gal 1:10; Col 1:7; 4:7; 2Ti 2:24; Tit 1:1; Jas 1:1; 2Pe 1:1; Jud 1; Rev 15:3; cf. Act 4:29; 16:17; 2Co 4:5; Php 1:1; Rev 1:1; 2:20; 7:3; 11:18; 19:2, 5; 22:3, 6), for He fully bought and paid for you (“purchased,” “rescued,” and “redeemed”; Act 20:28; Rev 5:9; 14:4; Col 1:13–14; 1Pe 1:18–19; Gal 3:13).
11. It is at baptism that you become a “child of God” (also “sons of God”; see Joh 1:12–13; 11:52; Act 17:29; Rom 8:14–16, 19, 21; 9:8; Php 2:15; 1Jn 3:1–2, 10; 5:2; Mat 5:9; 12:50; Luk 20:36; Gal 3:26; 4:1–7; 1Pe 1:13–16), with God as your heavenly “Father” (Mat 6:9; 23:9; Rom 8:14–17; Gal 1:3; 4:1–7; Php 1:2; Col 1:2; 2Th 2:16; Phm 3). You are adopted into God’s family (Rom 8:15–17, 23; Eph 1:5; 2:19) as you leave the family of Satan (Joh 8:38, 44; Mat 13:38; Act 13:10; 1Jn 3:8–10). You actually become a “brother” or “sister” to Christ (Mat 12:46–50; 25:40; 28:10; Joh 20:17; Rom 8:29; Heb 2:11–12).[14] Please stop and reflect deeply on what that means: The eternal, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent God and Creator of the entire universe—the One who simply spoke all things into existence (Gen 1:3) and the Source of all life itself (Act 3:15; Joh 1:4; 4:10, 14; 10:28; 11:25–26; 14:6; 17:2; Rev 1:17–18; 22:1, 17)—wants to adopt you as His son or daughter so that you can live with Him forever in heaven. And He wants that so much that He sent His only Son to die for you. Amazing and amen!
12. Even further, it is at baptism that you become a “fellow heir” with Christ (see Rom 8:17; Gal 3:29; 4:7; Eph 1:14; 3:6; Tit 3:7; Jas 2:5).[15]
13. It is at baptism that you are “sanctified” for Christ[16] (1Co 1:2; 6:11; Heb 2:11; 10:10–14; Joh 17:19; Act 20:32; 26:18; 2Ti 2:21; cf. Rom 6:19, 22; 1Th 4:3–7; 2Th 2:13; Heb 10:29; 12:14), for He “called” you (Rom 8:29–30; 1Co 1:9; Gal 5:13; Eph 4:4; 1Ti 6:12; 1Pe 2:9; Jud 1) “out of the world” (Joh 15:19; Rom 12:2; Joh 17:14–16).[17]
14. It is at baptism that you “become sons of Light” (Joh 12:35–36; cf. Luk 16:8; 1Th 5:5; 1Jn 1:7; 2:8–11; also “children of Light,” Eph 5:8; “saints in Light,” Col 1:12), no longer walking in sin and “the domain of darkness” (Col 1:13; cf. 1Th 5:4–5; 1Pe 2:9; Eph 5:8; 6:12; Rom 2:19; Act 26:18; Joh 1:5; 8:12; Psa 107:10–14; Mat 4:16; Luk 1:78–79; 2:32; Isa 42:6–7; 60:1–3; Mic 7:8) “of this world” (see Joh 8:23; 12:25, 31; 13:1; 15:19; 16:11; 17:14–16; 18:36; 1Co 3:19; 5:10; 7:31; 2Co 4:4; Eph 2:2; 1Jn 2:15–17; cf. Mat 6:19–21, 24; 13:22; 16:24–26; 19:16–24; Mar 4:18–19; 8:34; Luk 8:4–8; 9:23; 14:26–27; Rom 12:2; Col 3:1–2; Php 3:19–20; 1Ti 6:9–10; 2Ti 4:10; Gen 19:26), as He “has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1Pe 2:9).
15. It is at baptism that you become part of the worldwide “body” (1Co 12:13; Eph 5:23; Col 1:18) of “believers” (Act 5:14; 10:45; 1Th 1:7; 2:10; 1Ti 4:10; 6:2; 1Pe 1:21) in Christ—which is the “church of Christ” (see Rom 16:16; also “church of God,” Act 20:28; 1Co 1:2; 10:32; 11:16, 22; 15:9; 2Co 1:1; Gal 1:13; 1Ti 3:5; 1Th 2:14; 2Th 1:4). The Church is also referred to as the “bride,” “body,” and “household” of Christ (see Joh 3:29; Rom 12:4–5; 1Co 10:17; 12:12–13, 20; Gal 6:10; Eph 2:19–22; 4:4, 12; Col 3:15; 1Ti 3:15; 1Pe 4:17; Rev 19:7; 21:2, 9; 22:17).[18]
16. It is at baptism that you enter “the kingdom of God”[19] ^{, [20]} (Joh 3:3–5; cf. Col 1:13) and become a “fellow partaker” of (Rev 1:9) and a “fellow worker and fellow soldier” in (see Php 2:25; 4:3; Rom 16:3, 9, 21; 1Co 3:9; 2Co 8:23; Col 4:11; 1Th 3:2; Phm 2, 24; 3Jn 8) the kingdom. Note there is also a future heavenly kingdom which we enter on the “last day,”[21] and that is when we get our “glorified” “heavenly” bodies and where we will spend eternity.[22]
17. It is at baptism that you become one of “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of god; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1Pe 2:9–10), becoming “priests” (Rev 1:6; 5:10) in His kingdom, and even further, “ambassadors for Christ” (see 2Co 5:20; cf. Php 1:27; Eph 6:20).
18. It is at baptism that you become a “living stone” (see 1Pe 2:4–5; cf. Eph 2:20), having been made “a pillar in the temple of My God” (Rev 3:12), as you “sit down with Me [Jesus] on My throne” (Rev 3:21), “[ruling] all the nations with a rod of iron” (Rev 12:5; cf. Rev 2:26–27; 6:9–11; 19:15; 20:4, 6).[23]

IMPORTANT NOTE ON BAPTISM

I see many who have the right heart for Jesus (“a zeal for God”) but the wrong teaching, for their faith is “not in accordance with knowledge” (Rom 10:2; cf. Hos 4:6; 2Ti 4:3–4) and they are not worshiping the Lord “in spirit and truth” (Joh 4:23–24; cf. Psa 145:18; Jud 3; Col 1:23). Instead, they are worshiping “in spirit and the false teachings of man” (that is, they are following “a different gospel … a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you,” Gal 1:6–9). If you are hearing the correct Gospel and the truth about baptism for the first time by reading this book and you have been baptized previously by man-invented baptismal rites that are not in agreement with Scripture (such as by sprinkling or as an infant), or you were baptized without a correct understanding that it is “for the forgiveness of your sins” (Act 2:38) and when you are born again, I strongly encourage you to consider the following:

1. Be baptized into truth (Jud 3; Rev 18:4),[24] and
2. Start attending the only church that Jesus founded (Eph 4:4–6; 1Co 12:13)—which is also the only one without a single false teaching or fake gospel and which follows the pattern and example set out in NT Scripture and as practiced by the early apostolic church.[25]

I came out of Methodism and Calvinism myself and have already taken the advice I just gave you. I was baptized in a Church of Christ after learning the truth. Remember, your eternal destiny is at stake here, and I wanted to be baptized into the truth. I do not want to take any chances whatsoever with my eternal salvation. Wayne Jackson writes:[26]

Baptism is a very serious matter. Every person who truly wants to be well-pleasing to God should carefully consider whether they’ve been mistaken on this vital issue. The time to make a correction is now.

Please also greatly heed the warning given in Scripture:

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. – Hos 4:6

COMMON ARGUMENTS CONSIDERED AS TO WHY SOME CLAIM THAT BAPTISM ISN’T REQUIRED FOR SALVATION

Since baptism is dismissed by many as not being required for salvation, I want to address some of the reasons I have heard given to support that position, along with my rebuttal:

1. Baptism is a “good work of man”: This comes from the “saved by faith alone” crowd. First, this shows a complete misunderstanding of what a “good work” is. A good work is something that is done, after conversion and in obedience to the teachings and commandments of Christ, that benefits someone else, not yourself.[27] Second, how can having someone else immerse you in water be considered a “good work” on your part at all? It is not even you who is doing the work of dunking! Third, and most importantly, it is Christ who is actually doing all the work at your baptism, not you (Col 2:12; cf. Rom 6:4). It is He who is forgiving your sins, not you! He is the one who is redeeming you and cleansing you of sin by His shed blood on the cross. So, give glory to Jesus and let Him do His work in you at baptism.[28]
2. The second half of Mark 16:16 doesn’t mention baptism: This claim asserts that since the first half of Mark 16:16 mentions baptism but the second half doesn’t; therefore, baptism is not required for salvation. In response, I say, please use some simple logic and common sense here: there is no need to mention baptism (or repentance, confession, obedience, perseverance, etc.) in the second part of the verse because without faith one is condemned regardless of whether one is dunked in water or not, so it would be completely redundant to mention baptism in this part of the verse—it is simply not needed. Wayne Jackson writes:[29] “After introducing the person who ‘believes not,’ why in the name of common sense would it be necessary for the Lord to list additional items of rebellion, in order to emphasize the unbeliever’s state of condemnation? Besides, elsewhere in the divine record Jesus did warn of the consequences of rejecting baptism. Such rejection, according to Luke’s record, is the reflection of an attitude that repudiates the very ‘counsel of God’ (see 7:29–30).” Furthermore, if one adopts their (wrong) logic, one must also say that since the first part of Mark 16:16 doesn’t mention repentance, that repentance, therefore, isn’t required for salvation either! I think, and hope, no clear-thinking Christian would adopt such a position. As you can see, those who make this argument are using different (and inconsistent) rules of logic for the two parts of Mark 16:16. When you point this out to those who deny baptism on this basis, they just don’t seem to be able to see their error in logic and resulting inconsistency.[30] Even beyond the simple logic error, one must consider “the sum” of what Scripture teaches on any particular subject in order to arrive at truth and correct doctrine (Psa 119:160). It is true that various verses call out and stress certain elements of salvation at times for various reasons (some repentance, some faith/belief, some confession, and so on), but you cannot create a Gospel doctrine that agrees with some verses and contradicts with others—your doctrine must harmonize true across all of Scripture, for Scripture is 100% correct and never contradicts itself. No matter what you think or believe, if it contracts even so much as one single clear and unambiguous verse of Scripture, it is not Scripture that is wrong; it is your interpretation that is wrong. This is one of the most common causes of doctrinal errors.
3. The Cornelius conversion (Acts 10:1–23): The claim made here is that since Cornelius et al. received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized, then this also applies to all believers today, and therefore baptism isn’t required for salvation (or to receive the Holy Spirit). What this fails to recognize is that the Cornelius conversion was a special case—it signified the expansion of the Gospel message to the gentiles. In this instance, the Spirit was specifically given here as a sign, so Peter knew that salvation is also for the gentiles. Without such a sign, Peter (et al.) would not have started preaching the Gospel to the gentiles. So yes, this event was a special and unique confirmation by the Spirit and recorded for us in Scripture.
4. Paul did not go to baptize, therefore baptism isn’t required: This is a generalization from 1 Corinthians 1:14–16 that isn’t warranted in Scripture or supported by logic. The context of those verses is concerning a problem that some in Corinth were being puffed up (pride) because they were baptized by the great apostle Paul and hence felt superior to others—they were unduly identifying with Paul instead of with the Gospel as a whole and with Christ. What Paul is trying to get across here is that it is the Gospel message itself that is important (including baptism!), not the particular person who happens to immerse you in the water! Nothing about this section of Scripture contradicts or denies the very clear and unambiguous teachings on baptism given elsewhere. Even further, let’s press this false interpretation to the ultimate pinnacle: In exactly similar fashion in John 4:1–2, it is noted that Jesus Himself didn’t personally baptize anyone (His disciples did), so by way of analogy, one would have to conclude that by John 4:1–2 baptism isn’t necessary either, despite Jesus clear teaching to the contrary! Once again, it is the pride of man which is in focus here, not whether baptism is required. Please think about this using yourself as a test case: Imagine if Jesus personally baptized you; do you not see how tremendous pride could result from that and you might feel superior to others, even other brothers and sisters in Christ? I do! That is the point being made here in both passages of Scripture. These verses have nothing whatsoever to do with the removal of baptism as a required element for salvation. Paul, and Jesus, simply wanted to avoid pride which might result from an association with who (or Who) did the baptismal immersion…that is all.
5. The deserted island (or middle of a desert) straw-man argument: Some make the argument: Since a person stranded on a deserted island (or in the middle of a desert without water) who comes to Christ can’t be baptized; therefore, baptism is not required for salvation (by anyone). This argument doesn’t really need a response, as it’s completely ridiculous, spurious, and does absolutely nothing to defend their teaching. However, if you find yourself in one of those locations and accept Christ there, rest assured that Christ will find a way to allow you to be saved properly according to Scripture. Franky, I’m surprised they don’t also argue: What if you are on the moon and accept Christ? as a proof case against baptism. Instead of worrying about a hypothetical fictional case that applies to literally no one, the focus should be on the clear Scriptures that do apply to you!
6. The thief on the cross wasn’t baptized, so it’s not required: First of all, the thief on the cross actually died under OT Mosaic Law; the New Covenant (NT) didn’t take effect until Christ’s death, so Christian baptism wasn’t required for him. Furthermore, he may have been baptized in John’s baptism; we do not know. Scripture doesn’t say whether he was or wasn’t. The thief seems to be familiar with Christ and His teachings, at least to some extent. But let’s assume for argument’s sake that he wasn’t. Christ, who is God Almighty Himself, can do whatever He pleases, whenever He pleases! He can make any special exceptions He deems necessary or pleasing to His will—who are we to say otherwise? While on earth, Jesus repeatedly forgave the sins of various people, like the thief. But to make a general case of this wonderful special conversion and demonstration of grace is a travesty of logic and flies in the face of other clear and unambiguous verses about baptism given in Scripture for NT Christians. And let’s press this argument to its logical conclusion—I’m willing to concede that if (a) you find yourself hanging on a cross, and (b) you are hanging right next to Christ, then yes, (c) you too may be saved simply by Christ’s proclamation over you without baptism. But that simply doesn’t apply to any of us today, now does it? So why use this case to deny baptism in the face of clear Scripture to the contrary?
7. Salvation is a free gift of God; therefore, nothing is required of me to receive it: However, a “free gift” can have conditions placed on it in order receive it, and God has done just that. This is not unlike a parent saying something to the effect of: When you graduate from college, I’ll buy you a car. The child must graduate in order to receive the gift. If the child does nothing, they will not receive the gift.
8. I just don’t believe it is required: This statement usually comes from those who knowingly (or unknowingly[31]) think they are saved by “faith alone.” I have explained throughout this book why this position is not in agreement with Scripture.[32]
9. It’s what we’ve been teaching for a long time, so it must be correct: Yes, I have actually run across this claim, which goes something like this (paraphrasing): Well, we have been teaching that baptism is not required for many hundreds of years, so we must be right! Yes, some actually think that adds credibility to their position, but the fact that they have been teaching something (wrongly) for any period of time does absolutely nothing whatsoever to bolster their defense that the teaching is correct. If one adopts their own logic here, then they must also concede that the Roman Catholic Church could therefore come along right after them and say: Well, since we have been teaching (falsely) on matters of doctrine for nearly two thousand years, our teachings must be even more correct! I hope you can see the absurdity of this argument.

I hope you can see that all of these arguments about dismissing baptism as being required for salvation are without merit.

IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH

You now have the correct knowledge and understanding about baptism, so I hope you can see that those who proclaim that baptism is (a) merely “an outward sign of inner faith,” (b) not necessary for salvation (or to be born again), (c) can be done as an infant, or (d) by “sprinkling” are doing so against the clear instructions given to us in Scripture. It is my sincere desire, hope, and prayer that everyone reading this will start worshiping the Lord “in spirit and truth” if they are not already doing so.

See the articles listed below for further reading:

• Wayne Jackson, “Baptism: Essentials and Nonessentials,” Christian Courier, https://christiancourier.com/articles/baptism-essentials-and-nonessentials
• Wayne Jackson, “8 Mistaken Ideas About Baptism,” Christian Courier, https://christiancourier.com/articles/8-mistaken-ideas-about-baptism
• Wayne Jackson, “Does the Grace in Ephesians 2:8–9 Exclude Baptism?” Christian Courier, https://christiancourier.com/articles/does-the-grace-in-ephesians-2-8-9-exclude-baptism
• Wayne Jackson, “A Dispute About the Purpose of Baptism,” Christian Courier, https://christiancourier.com/articles/a-dispute-about-the-purpose-of-baptism
• Jason Jackson, “The Truth on Baptism Should Not Be ‘Watered Down,’” Christian Courier, https://christiancourier.com/articles/the-truth-on-baptism-should-not-be-watered-down
• Wayne Jackson, “Do I Need to Be Re-baptized?” Christian Courier, https://christiancourier.com/articles/do-i-need-to-be-re-baptized
• Wayne Jackson, “What Is the History of Infant Sprinkling?” Christian Courier, https://christiancourier.com/articles/what-is-the-history-of-infant-sprinkling
• Wayne Jackson, “What About the Baptism of Young Children?” Christian Courier, https://christiancourier.com/articles/what-about-the-baptism-of-young-children
• Wayne Jackson, “A History of the Baptism Apostasy” Christian Courier, https://christiancourier.com/articles/a-history-of-the-baptism-apostasy