The Bible is clear about the place of baptism in God’s plan of salvation. When you ignore the various teachings of men and just look to the Bible for the place of baptism and the significance of it, you will have no trouble whatsoever discovering that it is essential to the salvation of the soul. This is why Jesus Himself commanded it.
Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
These were some of the last words Jesus spoke to His apostles. Why would He command them to do something that was not essential? Why did He not just tell them to go and make disciples, teaching them to believe, and leave it at that? When we begin to read the inspired epistles of the New Testament, we see why by learning exactly what baptism does.
First, baptism is the place where our sins are washed away by the blood of Christ. How do I know? It is implied by the words of Ananias before he baptized Saul.
Acts 22:16 (ESV)
16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.
It sure sounds like our sins are washed away when we are baptized, doesn’t it to you? This is in harmony with the instructions that Peter gave on the day of Pentecost.
Acts 2:37–38 (ESV)
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Why would Peter tell these people that they had to be baptized for their sins to be forgiven? It was because he knew that it was at that time that their sins would be washed away. Peter knew the purpose of baptism and what is accomplished when a person is baptized.
Another purpose of baptism is to allow us to walk in the newness of life. This goes hand in hand with what we have already discovered about baptism and what it does, doesn’t it? How do I know that baptism does this? It is because it was the very purpose of Paul’s baptism. This is not my opinion; it is according to Paul himself.
Romans 6:4 (ESV)
4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Paul tells us what baptism accomplished in his life—it allowed him to walk in the newness of life. What does it take for a person to walk in the newness of life? His sin must be forgiven. Paul agreed with Peter, and they both agreed with Ananias—baptism is the place where sins are forgiven, washed away by the blood of Christ, and allows a person to walk in the newness of life. Of course, baptism is essential to salvation.
One more thing. Baptism puts one into Christ. Paul states this truth three times (Romans 6:3; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27). Why is it so important to be in Christ? It is because every accountable person outside of Christ is lost, and it is baptism that puts us there. In Christ, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). In Christ is where all spiritual blessings are found (Ephesians 1:3). In Christ is where salvation is located (2 Timothy 2:10). In Christ, there is hope even in death (Revelation 14:13). In Christ is where we should all want to be and the Bible says that baptism puts us there. The Bible never says faith puts us into Christ. The Bible never says that repentance or confession puts us there, but three times we are told that baptism does. Surely, this tells us that salvation is essential to the salvation of the soul. It is no wonder that the Bible tells us specifically that baptism saves.
1 Peter 3:21 (ESV)
21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This is a doctrinal truth that you must believe to be saved.
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.