I’m convinced a person serious about salvation and once understanding baptism would not ask if they had to be baptized to be saved. Instead, they would ask, “When can I be baptized?”
If I was questioning baptism, I would begin with Jesus, what he said and did. “Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.”Then John consented” (Matthew 3:13-15). Jesus was sinless, had no sins to confess, none to be forgiven, but his desire to fulfill all righteousness was paramount.
I must ask, “What would Jesus want me to do?” I am a sinner, no doubt about that. So do I need to be baptized? Jesus met with his disciples and gave them the following instructions. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’” (Mathew 28:18-20). The answer is yes, but before baptism takes place something else is required, and it makes sense ~ “…go make disciples.”
What is a disciple? When that question is understood and complied with, baptism falls into place. “Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. (Love Jesus more than anybody else) 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (This is an unceasing death, recognizing our lives are now spent in Christ’s service and not for ourselves).
28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples” (Luke 14:25-33). (Turn everything you have over to God, and he gives it right back to you as its steward ~ to be used for his glory).
Okay, that’s deep, but I get it. Jesus wants a total commitment of my life in order for me to be a disciple or follower of him. Even though we are at different levels of understanding, we can agree that we need to have accepted Jesus as Lord, and with it have a deep longing to follow him. Next, we find the apostles telling folks what to do in order to demonstrate their discipleship, prove their allegiance to Christ, to turn their back on the world and live for Christ. “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:36-42). The apostle Peter pointed them towards Jesus, told them how their sinfulness crucified him, and how they could be forgiven. They must become disciples or followers of Jesus, repent and confess their sinfulness, be baptized or immersed in water for forgiveness and then receive God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. At that point God would add them to his family, the church, the community of God.
Without knowing everything about being baptized into Christ, you can at least realize the question: “Do I have to be baptized to be saved?” should rather be, “When can I be baptized?” I want to go to heaven! You can learn more about Baptism by responding to this Blog with questions. I’m praying you, if you never have, will make a decision to live for Christ and be baptized into him.
I don’t deserve a pat on the back for loving those who would do me harm. My human tendency might be to retaliate, to hate those who hate me. But I can’t. I have no choice but to love people even when they seem unlovable.