In some of the blogs I follow, there has been some discussion regarding baptism and how it relates to salvation. As I was reading through the posts and the comments that followed, one item seemed to be overlooked that needs to be dealt with.
One of the basic tenets of the Christian faith is that we are saved by God’s grace through faith, not by works as is found in Ephesians.
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. –Ephesians 2:8-9.
Period. End of story. There is nothing you can do to work your way into Heaven. All of the “work” was done at the cross by Jesus. I’m amazed at how some faiths (that use the Bible) teach doctrine that does not follow this. In other words, there are faiths that say that unless you are baptized (as an infant or otherwise) you will not get into heaven, etc. It’s ridiculous and has no basis in the Bible. None!
Bold statement I make? I present my argument below as exhibit A.
One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 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.” –Luke 23:39-43.
“Today you shall be with me in Paradise….” The Greek word used for “today” is “σήμερον” or “sēmeron,” which means: “this very day.” Notice carefully that Jesus didn’t say “Well, you weren’t baptized as an infant and you didn’t receive communion, and well, you really haven’t been baptized at all for that matter so there isn’t anything I can do for you.” They were hanging on crosses and about to die! There was no time for this guy to do anything but confess his sin, confess Jesus as Lord, and believe in the promise of everlasting life with Jesus.
Look at each statement the “good criminal” says:
- “Do you not even fear God?” He respected God for who He was (crucified right next to him)!
- “…since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed are suffering justly…” etc. He acknowledged his sin and even God’s justice, rightly meted out to them.
- “But this man has done nothing wrong.” This is not merely a nice little statement that Jesus was a nice guy. Obviously, he knew who Jesus was. Remember, the Jewish leaders and the people had just got through telling Pilate that Jesus was a fraud, blasphemer, and He certainly wasn’t their Messiah or King. This criminal knew that the man crucified with Him was who He said He was. If you don’t believe this, look at the next statement.
- “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” At this point, the criminal is publicly acknowledging that Jesus is a King and more than that, He has the power to save him from his life of sins and of everlasting death.
But what of Jesus’ statement back to him? We already established that “today” means “today.” Jesus assured this guy of his salvation that very moment he confessed. Do you also realize that this was the only deathbed confession in the Bible? This is significant for two reasons.
- How many times do we sometimes think: “Man, I’ll just never make it into heaven because I screwed up again?” No matter what Satan might use to lie to you, remember that this criminal most likely had a life-long problem with sin. He was crucified so this was definitely someone who wasn’t just “minding his own business.” He had to be pretty bad off. But Jesus guarantees this guy that that very day, he will be with Him in heaven! This criminal demonstrates the awesomeness of the grace and mercy of God Almighty!
- There is only one deathbed confession in the Bible so that we won’t be tempted to put off our salvation and relationship with Christ. If there were more instances of them in the Bible, how much easier would it be for us to say “Well, look at all these guys who confessed on their death-bed. I’ll just put it off until I’m really desperate.”
It’s my hope that this post finds it’s way to someone who just thinks “I’m not good enough for God.” Or “God’s not going to forgive me…I’ve done so many bad things in my life.” Or “I’ve denied Jesus for so many years and have cursed and swore at Him, there is no way He’d ever forgive me.” If any of those statements are you, I’ve got four words for you: “Lies from the devil!” Don’t believe those messages. You cannot out-sin God’s grace! Jesus paid it all at the cross so you don’t have to!
I’d like to share with you a clip of this I found on YouTube. It gives a great visual for this episode in the Bible.
May He Increase!
Joe, great post!
I like how you laid it out that this grace that God gives has nothing to do with our worthiness!
You are so right about baptism inasmuch as it is not a condition or law to be fullfilled in order that one might be saved…HOWEVER…
we baptise and are baptised because our Lord Jesus has commanded us to do so (Matthew 28)
If He tells me to go and baptise, He must have a good reason!
Thanks Joe!
– Steve martin San Clemente, CA
Steve,
My post was focused on pointing out that baptism isn’t necessary for salvation. However, yes, Jesus commanded us to be baptized as a follow-up to acceptance of Him as our Lord and Savior. I adhere to that tenet.
You will see from my background, what my frame of reference is for this topic. I just don’t understand how some faiths still adhere to infant baptism (and other sacraments) as a requirement for salvation when the Bible is more than abundantly clear on this. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. It’s a public action that you have died to your old life and are risen to a new life with Christ. It does not have any power to save. That power belongs to Christ.
Thank you, Steve.
Joe,
The Lord can save a stone if He wants. He can save someone who is not baptised. We allow for that (Lutheranism).
But someone who is baptised can be saved as well. !st Peter 3:21 “..baptism now saves you..”
You say that the bible is clear that baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. That doesn’t make it true.
When Jesus commands His disciples to go and baptise and teach in Matthew 28, baptism is mentioned before teaching.
St. Paul tells us that we die with Christ in baptism (Romans 6).
Acts 2:38 tells us that we receive the forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit in baptism.
Paul also tells us that in baptism we put on Christ.
Some folks I know say that Jesus lis alive in their heart. That He lives within them. But yet they deny that Christ can be present in a bowl of water accompanied by His Word. I just don’t understand that convenient logic or illogic.
God has chosen to work in baptism, through His preached word, and in the bible, and in the consolation of the brethren.
The old sinner in us doesn’t like it when we are removed from the equation.
Anyway, Joe, I do appreciate to say a few things to you in defense of baptism and God’s freedom to act therein.
Thanks!
Steve,
The cross is the redemptive work. That faith that Christ died once for the forgiveness of sins is what saves. Again, remember the criminal next to Him from my original post.
Maybe I’m misreading your last response, but it sounds as if you’re trying to somehow include that it is also baptism that saves. I’d like to just take issue with your first reference in 1 Peter. I think you need to look at the context of the four words you extracted:
Right away in verse 18, Peter states that Christ died for since once for all. That is the basis for the rest of it. Then he draws a parallel of Noah’s ark to baptism. It’s not baptism of itself that saves. You needed to continue your quotation to include the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The faith that Christ died once–paid the price of redemption–then rose with victory over death, is what save us from the choke hold of death by our sins.
Acts 2:38 does not state that we receive forgiveness through baptism.
The first thing Peter tells those who asked him “what shall we do” is to repent. Then as an expression of this turning away, they should be baptized. In essence, you are buried with Christ symbolically through baptism and, coming up from the water is a demonstration of your resurrection in your new life with the risen Christ.
Search the Scriptures. I’m certainly not making any of this up. You will see this doctrine throughout Acts and the rest of the New Testament. Be like the Bereans in Acts 17:11:
Please, don’t take my word for it. See what God has to say. Like the old commercial used to say, “It’s in there.”
In Christ,
Joe.
Joe,
Yeah, it’s in there…we read it differently.
I read it throught tje prism of grace (what God does) and you read it through the prism of the law (what man does)
Therein lies the difference.
Me thinks. :D
Steve, brother…
I’m not quite sure how to take the the statement “I read it throught tje prism of grace (what God does) and you read it through the prism of the law (what man does).” In my old nature I would take this as an insult.
But I’ve chosen to look at this through the prism of 1 Corinthians 13: “Love is patient … does not act unbecomingly … is not provoked … but rejoices with the truth.”
Having said that, I actually had to figure out what would have caused you to write this because–again–my original post dealt with God’s perfect grace as it related to the thief on the cross. I’m not sure how you could say that I’m looking at it through the law. If I was, I would be saying that baptism is required for salvation. I am not. I am not dismissing baptism nor it’s significance. The bottom line is that you are a Lutheran. As such, you will adhere to the tenets of your faith and I respect that. What is ironic is that we were both raised Catholic. It sounds as though Lutherans have similar views of baptism as Catholics. As such, I understand where you are coming from (if my assertion is somewhat true). Therefore, you and I will never agree on this point because of our differing viewpoints.
Baptism and salvation go together………..the difference being that salvation comes first!
Steve is trying to say that your view is a work but I know that is not what you are saying Joe. Our faith is by His grace and so is our baptism. I just never could figure out how the cart got in front of the horse on this issue. I would never allow my child to take communion before that child became born again.. so why would I have my baby baptised? I just don’t get the Scriptural basis for that thinking?
Ike,
Thanks for your clarification. I have to remember that Steve (theoldadam) is Lutheran. As such, I need to understand better the Lutheran orthodoxy so I can appreciate where he’s coming from. I grew up Catholic, so I’m well-aware of that view.
Steve Blackwell over at Indywatchman, just recently posted a lengthy treatise on water baptism. I tried to read it, but I’ve been busy lately that I haven’t had real opportunity to dig into it. I will admit that after reading it, I’ve been mulling over my stance on it. Had I read it before, I would have probably changed my post a little. However, my stance on the “good thief” still remains.
That being said, I like your rhetorical question: “I would never allow my child to take communion before that child became born again.. so why would I have my baby baptised?” That’s how I view it as well.
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