Radio Transcript

Baptism in the Teaching of Paul

In our first lesson in this series of lessons dealing with baptism, we learned that baptism played a prominent role in apostolic preaching. In every case of conversion described in the book of Acts, baptism is mentioned. As G. R. Beasley-Murray, a Baptist scholar observed, "Baptism is…a part of the proclamation of Christ. In an Apostolic sermon it comes as its logical conclusion." This quotation can be found in "Baptism in the New Testament," published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1962, p. 393.

What did the apostles teach concerning baptism? We learned from our previous lesson that baptism was commanded "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). It was done to "wash away sins" (Acts 22:16). We learned that baptism involved water (Acts 8:36-38). It was done immediately, with no delay, even if it meant it was done after midnight (Acts 16:25-33).

This would certainly suggest that baptism is necessary for salvation. But is this a fair conclusion to be drawn from the preaching of the apostles? Is this conclusion consistent with what the apostles wrote in their letters? In this lesson, we will examine what the apostle Paul taught in his letters regarding baptism.

Let’s start by observing what Paul said about baptism in his letter to the Romans. Paul taught that baptism is a burial and resurrection with Christ. "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?" (Romans 6:3). Baptism is a burial with Christ into death. We are crucified with him. Paul wrote, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). It is through baptism that we rise to walk in newness of life. "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 6:4). Baptism involves crucifying the old man, that the body of sin may be destroyed. "Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin" (Romans 6:6). Baptism frees us from sin as we die to sin, that we might live with Christ. "For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:7-11).

Did you notice something from our reading? Paul did not say that baptism "symbolizes things that already occurred." Many people say this is the purpose, or design, of baptism. They may even refer to Romans 6:7-11 to support their beliefs. But Paul does not teach any such thing!

Also notice Paul’s words from verse three, "as many of us as were baptized into Christ." When Paul referred to the blessings (rising to walk in newness of life, being freed from sin, living with Christ), it was obvious these blessings pertain only to those persons who have been baptized. None of these blessings would apply to persons who have not been baptized!

Next, let’s consider what Paul wrote in his letter to the Galatians. Paul taught that baptism is the point in time when we put on Christ. "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:26-27). Baptism is involved in the process of becoming sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus. The word "for" in verse twenty-sevens begins an explanation as to how we become sons of God through faith. Baptism is the means by which we become sons of God and put on Christ.

Now notice. Paul wrote, "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ….." "For as many" means simply that – no more or no less. Only those persons who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Next, let’s observe what Paul taught in his letter to the Colossians. Many people are quick to discount baptism as a condition of salvation, referring to such a condition as a form of "works salvation." But Paul taught that baptism is a "work of God." Paul taught that baptism is a "spiritual circumcision" in which sins are "cut away." "In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead" (Colossians 2:11-12). Paul taught that baptism is made effective, "through faith in the working of God." In baptism God makes us alive together with Him, having forgiven us of all trespasses (Colossians 2:13).

Let’s notice the following from Colossians 2:11-13. Here we learn that baptism is a work of God, not man. Just as it was God who raised Jesus, it is God who makes us alive, having forgiven our sins. Our part in the process is "faith in the working of God" as we are buried with Christ in baptism (Colossians 2:12).

Next, let’s consider what Paul taught about baptism in his letter to Titus. Paul taught that baptism is a washing and regeneration. "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). The "washing" is a reference to the waters of baptism. Thus, God saves us in baptism. Baptism is a "washing of regeneration," a washing in which we are reborn. Baptism is a "renewing of the Holy Spirit," a renewal in which the Holy Spirit is at work. Titus 3:5 helps us to understand Jesus’ words in John 3:5, "Most assuredly I say unto you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

This "washing" and "regeneration" does not occur because we have earned it. Baptism is not an act whereby we merit, or earn, our salvation. We are saved by the kindness, love, and mercy of God (Titus 3:4-5). It is by God’s mercy that He saves us! Our salvation is something that God accomplishes through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Our salvation is something that God accomplishes when we are baptized into Christ. It is at the point of baptism that we are justified by God’s grace. "whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:6-7).

From looking at Paul’s letters, it is evident that Paul taught that baptism is a burial into the death of Christ. Paul taught that baptism is how we die to sin as we are crucified with Christ. Paul taught that baptism is a resurrection with Christ so we can rise to walk in newness of life. Paul taught that baptism is when a person puts on Christ, thereby becoming a child of God. Paul taught that baptism is a spiritual circumcision in which our sins are cut away. Paul taught that baptism is the working of God, whereby we are buried with Christ, made alive as our sins are forgiven, and then raised with Christ. Paul taught that baptism is an act of God’s grace and mercy, in which we experience a washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit. If all these things occur when one is baptized, and they do, how can anyone possibly say a person can be saved without being baptized?

Those persons who say baptism is not necessary for salvation misunderstand those persons who say it is necessary. They accuse those persons who say it is necessary of believing in some type of system of "works salvation" that excludes God’s grace. In reality, people who believe that baptism is a necessary part of salvation believe in salvation by grace through faith.

Those persons who say baptism is not necessary for salvation misunderstand the apostle Paul. They have Paul say things about the purpose of baptism that he simply does not say. They fail to appreciate what Paul teaches about baptism.

What is your attitude toward baptism? Do you discount the necessity of baptism in a mistaken zeal to oppose what you perceive to be a form of "works salvation?" Or do you commend baptism by noting what the apostle Paul taught in his letters? Do you commend baptism by noting that it is a work of God, a thing of great effectiveness?