BAPTISM - Is it necessary for salvation?

According to some doctrines and churches, baptism is necessary for salvation. The Catholic Church holds it to be one of the "sacraments" required to gain entrance into Heaven, and baptizes babies to ensure that the sacrament is fulfilled.

But what do the Scriptures say about the issue?

Jesus, the founder and author of our faith, God Himself, said to His disciples;

MARK 16:15-16

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

If you read the text carefully you will see that if you believe and are baptized you will be saved, but if you don't believe you will be condemned.

He never said "If you are not baptized, you will be condemned."

Baptism, like Communion is only a symbol, a physical representation of the spiritual reality of the action. Just as Israel's sacrifice of the Passover lamb was a symbol of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.

Baptism is an earthly reminder of our cleansing from our sins through Jesus, our being buried with Him in death and our resurrection as a new creature in His sight;

ROMANS 6:3-7

3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

4 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.

5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection,

6 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.

7 For he who has died has been freed from sin.

It is also a public confession before men and God that we are followers of Jesus Christ, as per His commandment of;

MATTHEW 10:32-33

32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.

33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

Infant baptism is useless, as babies cannot accept Jesus, neither can they confess Him before men. And infant baptism cannot take away "original sin" as some churches teach. Babies are sinless, as they have not learned the difference between good and evil, therefore sin cannot be imputed to them. And there is no such thing as "original sin" in the Scriptures.

Jesus Himself has a special love for children;

MARK 10:13-16

13 Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

15 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Note that in verse 14, Jesus was quite angry when the disciples rebuked those who brought children to be blessed by Him. And He said that those who do not receive the kingdom of God with the faith that children have will not enter the Kingdom. He never rebuked children as sinners as He did with the adults.

BOTTOM LINE:

Baptism must be a willful act, a conscious decision made by the person being baptized. It is a symbol of our being buried with Jesus in His death, and raised again as a new creature in His sight, and a public sign of our confession of Him as Lord and Master.

Baptism is not necessary for salvation, but we must be baptized if we are able for He commanded us to be baptized. If we refuse to follow His commandments, we fall under condemnation;

1 JOHN 2:3-6

3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Granted, there will be situations where a person accepts Jesus on their deathbed, and cannot be baptized. The Lord understands this, and will accept them into His kingdom.