Many are they who answer “no.” Many are they who answer “yes.” However, it is not man who will be the judge on that great day; rather, the Judge is God and His Word (John 12:48). Thus, what saith He who will judge?
(1) “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Is this verse a verse that teaches what a person must do to obtain salvation? Yes. Must a person believe in order to obtain salvation? Yes. What is meant by the word “and”? It means: “Together with or along with; also; in addition; as well as” (American Heritage Dictionary). What is it that must be done together with, in addition to, as well as, believing? Baptism. Is baptism necessary in order to obtain salvation? Yes.
(2) “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). This verse teaches that a person must do something in order to obtain what? Remission (forgiveness) of sins. Must a person repent in order to obtain remission of sins? Yes. Does “and” occur directly after “repent”? Yes. What is it that must be done “together with, along with, also, in addition, as well as” repentance? Baptism. Is baptism essential to obtaining remission of sins? Yes.
(3) To Saul it was said, “Why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16). What was Saul told to do? Be baptized. What was baptism going to do? Wash away his sins.
(4) “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). True or false: All people are either in Christ or out of Christ. True. True or false: Those out of Christ are lost, and those in Christ are saved. True. According to God’s Word in the above verse, how does a person get into Christ wherein is salvation? By being baptized.
(5) “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). What is it that saves us? Baptism.
Tell us plainly, must a person be baptized in order to obtain salvation? Yes, a person must be baptized in order to obtain salvation.
Gary Henson
Series on: “Tell Us Plainly” (John 10:24)