Baptized to be Saved?

Q. Do you have to be baptized to be ‘saved’?

No. To be saved is by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not based on what we do, including getting baptized. Before I provide the scriptural evidence, let me state two basic rules of bible interpretation:

• Let what’s clear explain what’s ambiguous. God does not contradict Himself. So if a principle is clearly stated, allow it to elucidate the obscure.
• Interpret in context. Without context, you can twist any text into a pretext for heresy.

Now let us look at what salvation is based on. There are dozens of passages that clearly teach that salvation is by grace through faith. Let me cite some examples:

• Lk 7:50 And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
• Lk 8:12 Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart so that they will not believe and be saved.
• Acts 15:11 But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”
• Acts 16:31 They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
• Rom 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;
• Eph 2:5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
• Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
• 2 Thes 2:13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
• 2 Tim 1:9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.
• 2 Tim 3:13 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
• Tit 2:11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
• 1 Pet 1:9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Note that being saved is consistently by the grace of God received through faith in Christ. Grace is God giving us what we do not deserve, in this case, eternal life. Faith is putting our trust in God and believing His word, not trying to earn our way to His favor by merit. God justifies us, i.e., declares us to be righteous when we take Him at His word by faith:

• Rom 3:28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
• Rom 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
• Gal 2:16 nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.
• Gal 3:11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “The righteous man shall live by faith.”
• Gal 3:24 Therefore, the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ so that we may be justified by faith.

All these passages show that being justified (to be saved) is by faith, not works. And works include baptism.

Then where does the idea of being baptized to be saved come from? The concept is called “baptismal regeneration” in theology and is based on the misinterpretation of several verses. I have inserted a short explanation using the two principles in the introduction to clarify each confusion:

• Mk 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved, but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

What is clear is that salvation depends on belief, since “believed” leads to “saved,” and “disbelieved” leads to “condemned.” This is consistent with the preponderance of the Bible’s teaching elsewhere. What is unclear is why “has been baptized” is also mentioned. Believe is a matter of the heart, the inward reality of whether a person trusts God. Being baptized is the outward sign, the person obeying the command to be baptized as a testimony of his faith. Baptism is a public declaration of his trusting Christ as His Lord and Savior. God gives him eternal life, not the baptism ceremony.

• Jn 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Some confuse “born of water” with baptism. But the context is Nicodemus inquiring Jesus about being “born again” (v 3, 7). “Born of water” refers to the first birth from the mother’s womb, which gives only physical life. “Born of the Spirit” is being “born again,” which gives spiritual life. The water does not refer to baptism.

• Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Some confuse “be baptized” as the basis of “forgiveness of your sins,” but the Bible teaches the prerequisite is “repentance”:

• Lk 17:3-4 Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.
• Lk 24:47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed, in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
• Acts 8:22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.

Why “be baptized” then? Again, it is to show that repentance is genuine. How do you express your trust in Christ’s name? By obeying His command to get baptized and start following Him.

• Acts 22:16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.

Some claimed baptism washes away your sins, but that is not the case. I will use the following verse to explain:

• 1 Pet 3:21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In what sense does “baptism now saves you?” By washing away your sins? No. Baptism is NOT the removal of dirt (sin) from the flesh (sin nature). It is “an appeal to God for a good conscience,” or as the NIV has it, “the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” What saves us is the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who paid the penalty for our sins. We receive that grace by responding to God from a clean conscience. We do that by calling on His name in faith.

So, while baptism is significant because it is part of the Lord’s Great Commission, the weight of NT evidence is that it is not a necessary condition for salvation. The repentant thief who was crucified with Jesus never got baptized, yet he was saved:

• Lk 23:42-43 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

Do not let people confuse you.

What Pleases God?

Q. What made Peter qualified to be one of the inner three? Is it predestination or favoritism?

• Prov 3:3-4 Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.”

Peter does not seem to qualify in this sense. I am not trying to disparage Peter. I want to find out what pleases God. The transfiguration confirms Peter’s admission that Jesus is God’s Messiah. It is also a confirmation to the three apostles that He is the Son of God.

• Lk 9:35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

James and John seemed to have believed the identity of Jesus Christ, by their action seen in Lk 9:54. John is truly a person who sees, understands and believes in Jesus Christ as Son of God when he went into Jesus’ empty tomb. Jn 14:26 says that the Holy Spirit will teach us all things. John and James seemed to be filled with the Holy Spirit (even before Jn 20:22). Peter was lacking spiritually everywhere, as when Satan was sifting him. Even Nathaniel was able to proclaim Jesus as Son of God at the first meeting with Jesus. 

If Satan were present there, he would not have orchestrated Jesus’ death! Was even Satan ignorant of the message hidden in the transfiguration about Jesus’ death?

Let us start with your underlying question of “what pleases God.” Our first clue is from the Son of God Himself:

• At His baptism – Mt 3:17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” (Also Mk 1:11; Lk 3:22)
• During His transfiguration – Mt 17:5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!” (Also 2 Pet 1:17)

Of course, the Lord is the Father’s beloved Son while we are not, and there are dozens of verses that describe what the Son does. So I will mention only one thing:

• Jn 8:29 And He who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.

The key for us as adopted children is to always do what pleases the Father.

A second clue is what Paul and the author of Hebrews taught:

• Rom 8:8-9a and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit.
• 1 Co 10:5-6 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased, for they were laid low in the wilderness. Now, these things happened as examples for us so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.
• Col 1:10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
• 1 Thes 4:1 Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more.
• Heb 11:6And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
• Heb 13:15-16 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Based on the above, the elements that please God are:

1. Concerning God:
   1. We are in the Spirt, and the Spirit dwells in us;
   2. We increase in the knowledge of Him;
   3. We have faith;
   4. We praise and thank Him;
2. Concerning self;
   1. We do not crave evil things;
   2. We walk worthy of the Lord, bear fruit in good work;
3. Concerning others:
   1. We do good and share.

These things constitute what a disciple is and do. If we are not His disciples, we cannot please God.

Next, let us look at your first question – Peter’s “qualifications” to be the inner three. It is definitely not our Lord’s favoritism:

• Deut 10:17 For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.
• 2 Chron 19:7 Now then let the fear of the Lord be upon you; be very careful what you do, for the Lord our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe.
• Acts 10:34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality.
• Rom 2:21 For there is no partiality with God.
• Gal 2:6 But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me.
• Eph 6:9 And masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Whatever it is, it is not favoritism.

Was it certain good qualities that Jesus saw in Peter when He called him?

• Mt 4:18-20 Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
• Mk 1:16-18 As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
• Lk 5:8, 10b-11 But when Simon Peter saw that, he fell down at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.”When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

Not really. All we can see is that Peter was a fisherman with no credentials, except he recognized his inadequacy. The one good quality was that he immediately left everything to follow Jesus, but so did Andrew. Nor do the answer lies in Peter’s character, for God called people with very diverse character traits to serve Him.

That leaves us with God’s “election” or choice as an explanation:

• Rom 9:11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls,
• Rom 9:16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs but on God who has mercy.
• Rom 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

In applying the above to Peter, note the following:

• God calling Peter to the inner three is His sovereign choice, purely because of His mercy and grace.
• It does not depend on anything Peter has done, good or bad. It is not because of works, irrespective of merit. It does not have anything to do with his character either. In short, it is unconditional.

You may find this contrary to your thinking, but God has every right to do what He pleases. Peter has his fine qualities. However, the fact that God chose him is enough for me.