Do I need to be water baptized to be saved?

June 25, 2012 by Luis Joseph Castle 1 Comment

I recently received a letter from a dear Christian sister who wrote:

“I have a very important question for you. We recently moved to Springfield Missouri and a man has visited us from the Church of Christ. He claims that the Bible says that we are not saved until we are baptized in water. I have always understood that we are saved when we believe, and that we are only baptized because it is to be our first act of obedience as a Christian. He stands on the verse that says: “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). I am standing on the verse that we are “saved by grace through faith, not by works” (Ephesians 2:8-9). What are your thoughts?

I responded to her as follows:

Pastor Luis Yosefus

“You are absolutely right: We are saved by grace through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-10). Water baptism does not wash away sin – only the blood of Jesus can take away our sins.  The Church of Christ, and other such denominations teach the false doctrine known as ‘Baptismal Regeneration’ (i.e. that a person is not truly saved unless they are water baptized). The Bible never supports this notion; neither did the apostles or early Christian church. This man-made doctrine was introduced in the Church many hundreds of years later and has created much debate among believers.”

Tragically, after almost two thousand years of Christian history, there is a vast amount of religious confusion (Babel) among the various Christian sects on this important subject. One Christian denomination believes one thing, while another believes something else; some churches fully immerse the believer, while others merely “sprinkle” the forehead. The average follower can be easily confused and exasperated – not knowing what the truth really is, and even doubting their own salvation.

Water baptism after conversion is simply an outward display (symbolism) of the spiritual cleansing that has occurred inwardly – inside of us when we have repented of our sins and accepted Christ [Messiah] as our Savior and Lord. It also provides us the opportunity to publicly testify of our new faith in Christ. The correct method of baptism is by full immersion as exampled by John the Baptizer and Jesus our Lord.

 

–         Pastor Luis Yosefus

REAL JESUS MINISTRIES
http://www.realjesus.net
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FOR FURTHER STUDY:

“Why did John the Baptist baptize in water?”

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