Is Baptism Essential For Salvation?

Is baptism essential for salvation? Some would argue, yes, while others would argue, no. How can we determine if baptism is essential? The only reliable guide which we have concerning spiritual matters is the Word of God., the Bible, and – specifically for us today – the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us consider the following.

Baptism is essential for salvation if it is necessary for us to "fulfill all righteousness." When John hesitated in baptizing Jesus, the Lord’s response was, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3:15 NKJV). Even though Jesus was without sin, he was baptized because God had commanded it through John, thus, He would "fulfill all righteousness." So, is baptism a command for us today? When Peter and the eleven stood before those gathered in Jerusalem on that first Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ, they proclaimed that those gathered – through lawless hands – had murdered Jesus, who is both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:22-35). When the assembly heard this they asked, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Peter commanded them to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). When God made it evident through the direct giving of the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, that the Gentiles were also to be included in the kingdom of his Son (Acts 10:1-11:18), Peter commanded Cornelius and household to be baptized (Acts 10:48). Since baptism is commanded by apostolic authority, and since Jesus said, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21 NKJV), is baptism essential for salvation?

Baptism is essential for salvation if it is necessary for the saved to "walk in newness of life." The apostle Paul informs us that when one arises from baptism it is at that point he or she can begin their walk in newness of life. He wrote, "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4 NKJV). Is it essential for one to walk in newness of life? Paul, in writing to the Colossian Christians, said, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:1-5 NKJV). Since to appear with Christ in glory requires us to put off our old lifestyle and put on a new one, and it is at that point of arising from baptism that we can begin to put on that new life, is baptism essential?

It seems evident from the above that God considers baptism to be essential for salvation. It is essential because He commands it and it is essential because it is the point that He has decreed at which we can begin to walk in newness of life. Clearly, such harmonizes with the words of Jesus: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved," (Mark 16:16 NKJV).