This document discusses the relationship between baptism and salvation based on passages from the Bible. It argues that while baptism is important, it is not necessary for salvation nor does it provide forgiveness of sins. Salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. Several Bible verses are cited that show people receiving forgiveness and the Holy Spirit before baptism. The conclusion is that Acts 2:38 does not teach that baptism is required for salvation, which comes solely by God's grace through faith in Christ.

1. Baptism and Salvation – 16th August 2016
“Repent, andlet each ofyou be baptizedin the name of JesusChrist for the forgivenessofyour sins;
and youshall receive the giftof the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38).
As withanysingle verse orpassage,we discernwhatitteachesbyfirstfilteringitthroughwhatwe know
whatthe Bible teachesonthe subjectathand.In the case of Baptismand Salvation,the Bible isclear
that salvationisbygrace throughfaithinJesusChrist,notby worksof any kind,includingbaptism.In
otherwordsbeingbaptizedbyitself doesnot‘automaticallyprovide’uswithsalvation. We canlearnthis
from Ephesians2:8-9, “For it is bygrace youhave been saved,throughfaith—andthisisnot from
yourselves,it is the gift ofGod— 9
notby works, so that no one can boast”. So,anyinterpretation
whichcomesto the conclusionthatbaptism, orany otheract, isnecessaryforsalvation,isafaulty
interpretation.
Why,then,do some Christiansects come tothe conclusionthatwe must be baptizedinordertobe
saved?Often,the discussionof whetherornotthispassage teachesbaptismisrequiredforsalvation
centersaroundthe Greekword eisthatis translated“for”inthispassage.Those whoholdto the belief
that baptismisrequiredforsalvationare quicktopointtothisverse Acts 2:38 andthe fact thatit says
“be baptizedinthe name of JesusChristfor the forgiveness of yoursins,”assumingthatthe word
translated“for”inthis verse means inorderto get‘Forgiveness’.However,inbothGreekandEnglish,
there are many possible usagesof the word“for. Furthertoabove Acts 2:38 says“repentand be
baptized….forthe forgivenessof sins…andthe giftof the HolySpirit,” itdoesNOT meanthat if one
repentsand is ‘NOT Baptized’,he will NOTreceive forgivenessof sinsorthe giftof the Holy Spirit.
There isan importantdifference betweenaconditionof salvationandarequirementforsalvation.The
Bible isclearthat belief isbothaconditionanda requirement,butthe same cannotbe saidfor baptism.
The Bible doesnotsay that if a man isnot baptizedthenhe will NOTbe saved.One canadd anynumber
of conditionstofaith - whichisrequiredforsalvation - andthe personcan still be saved.Forexample ifa
personbelieves,isbaptized,goestochurch,and givestothe poor he will be saved.Where the errorin
thinkingoccursisif one assumesall these otherconditions,“baptism, goingtochurch,givingtothe
poor,”are requiredforone to be saved.While theymightbe the evidence of salvation,theyare nota
requirementforsalvation.
The fact that baptismisnot requiredtoreceive forgivenessandthe giftof the HolySpiritshouldalsobe
evidentbysimplyreadingalittle fartherinthe bookof Acts where we can read, “All the prophets testify
abouthim that everyone who believesin him receives forgivenessof sinsthroughhisname”( Acts
10:43). In thispassage PetertellsCorneliusthat“throughHisname everyone whobelievesinHim
receivesforgivenessof sins”We cannote that nothingat thispointhasbeenmentionedaboutbeing
baptized,yetPeterconnectsbelievinginChristwiththe actof receivingforgivenessforsins. Whenwe
readon, we can note that havingbelievedPeter’smessage aboutChrist,the “HolySpirit fell uponall
those whowere listeningtothe message” We can readthisin Acts 10:44, “WhilePeter was still
speakingthese words, the Holy Spiritcame on all who heard the message”.

2. It isclear that onlyaftertheyhadbelieved,andtherefore receivedforgivenessof theirsinsandthe gift
of the HolySpirit,thatCorneliusandhishouseholdwere baptized whichisfurtherexplained whenwe
readActs 10:47-48, “ “Surelynoone can stand inthe wayof their being baptizedwithwater. They
have received the HolySpirit justas we have.” 48
Sohe ordered that they be baptized inthe nameof
Jesus Christ.Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days”. The contextand the passage are
veryclear;Corneliusandhishouseholdreceivedbothforgivenessof sinsandthe HolySpiritbefore they
were everbaptized.Infact,the reasonPeterallowedthemtobe baptizedwasthattheyshowed
evidence of receivingthe HolySpirit“justasPeterandthe Jewishbelievers”had.
In conclusion, Acts2:38 doesnot teachthat baptismisrequiredforsalvation.While baptismis
importantas the signthat one has beenjustifiedbyfaithandas the publicdeclarationof one’sfaithin
Christand membershipinalocal bodyof believers,it isnotthe meansof remissionorforgivenessof
sins.The Bible isveryclearthat we are savedbygrace alone throughfaithalone inChristalone.
Therefore,Salvationcancome onlytothroughwho receivedandfaithinJesusChrist.We canlearnfrom
Romans10:9-10, “Ifyou declare with your mouth,“Jesusis Lord,” and believein your heart that God
raised himfrom the dead, youwill be saved. 10
For it iswith your heart that you believe andare
justified,andit is withyour mouththat you profess yourfaith andare saved”. We can also learn of a
unique identitythat only JesusChristcangive in John1:12, “Yetto all whodid receive him, to those
who believedin hisname, he gave the right to become childrenof God”