The Holy Scriptures tell us that the entire purpose for the writing of the
Epistle of 1st John, is so that the Christian believer can “KNOW THAT YE
HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.” If you search through the book of 1st John, you won't
find any mention of baptism in any form. Clearly, water baptism is NOT
essential for salvation. Therefore, anyone who says that a person must be
baptized to go to Heaven is a bold-faced liar. The Holy Bible is very clear
that a person DOESN'T need to be water baptized to be saved!
I am not saying that someone is insincere who teaches the heresy of Baptismal Regeneration. Likely, they have been deceived of the Devil and are members of some false religion, like the popular Church of Christ cult. Roman Catholics, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses and Church of Christ all sinfully ADD water baptism to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In literally hundreds of Bible verses throughout the Bible we are taught that salvation comes simply by BELIEVING upon the Lord, and not by the works of the law, ritual nor human effort. For example: We read in John 3:16, “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” And again we read in John 6:28-29, “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” And again we read in John 6:40, “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” Furthermore, we read in John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” Even a small child can understand the simplicity that is in Christ. There is no mention in these precious Scripture passages about having to be water baptized to be saved. Clearly, we are saved simply by FAITH ALONE!
False prophets ALWAYS wrestle the Scriptures, quoting it out of context. The apostle Paul had received word that the church of Galatia had been corrupted by a satanic cult, similar to the Church of Christ. In the case of the Galatians, a local cult was errantly teaching that circumcision is required to be saved. Galatians 3:2, “This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” Paul didn't want to know if they had been water baptized! Paul only wanted to know how they got saved, that is, how did they receive the Holy Spirit? Paul wanted to know if they got saved by doing the works of the law, or by the simple hearing of faith? That is how a person gets saved, they simply believe the Good News of Christ crucified, buried and risen when they hear it preached. Again, the Scriptures plainly teach us that salvation is by simple childlike faith in Jesus Christ.
In 1st Corinthians 15:1-4 the apostle Paul defines the Gospel by which we are saved, and he never mentions baptism. ...
1st Corinthians 15:1-4, “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
We are saved by BELIEVING “the Gospel,” which is the power of God unto salvation. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” John 6:28-29, “Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” It is that simple to be saved. If you admit that you are a needy sinner in God's sight, and you receive Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sins, believing that He was buried and bodily resurrected three days later, YOU ARE IMMEDIATELY, SECURELY AND FOREVER SAVED!!! The fact that Paul never mentions baptism is further PROOF that water baptism is NOT required to be saved.
I have heard all sorts of strange arguments from Church of Christ members. The repentant thief on the cross was never baptized, yet Jesus assured him that they would both be in Paradise that very same day (Luke 23:43). When I told that to a member of the Church of Christ, they argued that Jesus had not yet raised from the dead. Folks, in brief, that would mean there are two plans of salvation, which is not true. Acts 10:43 confirms that people in the Old Testament were saved the same way we are saved today in New Testament times. Acts 10:43, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” In Genesis 15:6 we read that Abraham “believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” There has always been only ONE WAY of salvation, which is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ!!!
I once witnessed to a Church of Christ minister and quoted the apostle Paul's words from 1st Corinthians 1:17, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” Clearly, if water baptism were essential for salvation, Paul never would have made such a bold statement. Paul plainly stated that the Lord did NOT send him to baptize anyone; but rather, to preach “THE GOSPEL.” The minister argued with me that Paul's disciples did the baptizing instead, and insisted that water baptism is required for salvation. May I say emphatically that the suggested idea by the Church of Christ minister is 100% his own speculation; whereas the clear and plain Word of God says that Paul was sent to preach “THE GOSPEL,” and not to baptize anyone. Hear me out, you are either going to believe what God says about man, or what man says about God! Religious cults are all based upon manmade speculation; whereas genuine Christianity is based upon the plain and simple Word of God.
Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Notice that “THE GOSPEL” is the power of God unto salvation, and baptism is NOT mentioned. Amen! This is further irrefutable evidence for the honest person that salvation does not require water baptism. We are plainly taught by the Holy Bible that “THE GOSPEL,” that is, THE GOOD NEWS, of Christ crucified on the cross, buried and bodily risen the third day is: “THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH.” Boy, I love the simplicity of the Holy Scriptures!!!!!!! In all these precious Bible passages, there is NO MENTION of baptism at all.
Only by wrestling the Scriptures can anyone claim that water baptism is necessary to obtain the gift of eternal life. Certainly, obedience to the Lord is essential to discipleship, that is, to become one of His disciples (followers); however, discipleship is not the gift of salvation. You don't get saved by deciding to follow Jesus, you get saved by BELIEVING on the the Good News! Judas was one of Christ's very apostles, who followed Christ closely, yet died in his sins and is forever burning in the fires of Hell. In the Bible, many people followed Jesus merely for a free handout, but they did not believe on Him. Please don't ever make the grave error of confusing discipleship with salvation, because they are two separate decisions. This is why Church of Christ members get confused, because they combine salvation with discipleship. Salvation is sonship, where you trust Christ and become an adopted child of God (Romans 8:15; John 1:12-13); whereas discipleship means to become a follower of Christ, obeying Him, which is a matter of rewards (Romans 12:1; 2nd Corinthians 5:10-11; 1st Corinthians 3:11-15).
I don't need to belabor the point and exegete umpteen Scripture passages to convince you, if you have an honest heart, because what I have just shown you is conclusive proof from the Word of God that water baptism is not required for salvation. THE END
