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I am teaching through the book of Galatians on Sunday evenings (see the Audio Resources to listen to the sermons). The series is entitled “Salvation by Faith.” Paul in the book of Galatians is combating Judaizing teachers who have come into the church leading the Gentile Christians away from the truth by binding the works of the Old Law as necessary for salvation. Paul will not stand for such (Gal. 2:15-21).
Paul teaches in Galatians, as well as in a fuller treatment of salvation in Romans, that we are saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ. We cannot depend upon works of human effort to earn our salvation, but must depend upon the works of Christ in paying for our sins (Romans 3 – 5). Paul’s teachings that we are not saved by works has lead many to argue that baptism is not a necessary act of obedience for our salvation. While I agree with these individuals in their assessment that we are not saved by works of human merit (Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5), I wholly disagree with them assigning baptism as an act of human effort attempting to gain salvation through works.
Baptism is an act of obedience commanded by God which is a response of our faith in Christ.² Like faith, repentance, and confession, baptism is an act of faith responding to the commands of God. Baptism is not a work of self-accomplishment. Baptism is similar to the children of Israel walking around the city of Jericho to conquer the city or Naaman dipping in the river Jordan to be cleansed of leprosy¹. Baptism is a response of faith, and an act of obedience, based upon what God has promised to do when we obey.
Paul, who is the foremost Apostle teaching salvation by faith and not by works of the law, clearly taught the essentiality of baptism. Notice these four passages:
- Galatians 3:26-27 – In the book of Galatians dedicated to teaching against salvation through works of human merit, Paul connects baptism with them being “sons of God through faith, for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” When speaking of when they became Christians and sons of God through faith Paul takes them back to their baptism as their beginning point in Christ.
- Romans 6:1-7 – Paul has laid forth the glorious gospel in the book of Romans explaining how we are justified through Christ. But when he addresses the issue of continuing in sin so that grace may abound, Paul reminds them of their baptism as the time when they were united with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It was at their baptisms when their old man of sin died through the death of Christ and they were united to walk in newness of life through the power of the resurrection.
- Colossians 2:11-14 – Paul is speaking about Christ fulfilling the Old Law covenant and Christians being forgiven of past trespasses through the circumcision made without hands (baptism). Paul in speaking of their baptism says this important line, “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.” Notice who Paul said does the working at baptism–God! At baptism a repentant believer simply trusts in the powerful working of God to wash away his/her sins through the blood of Christ.
- Titus 3:4–6 – Paul once again is teaching against salvation by human law-keeping and simply good works. You can’t be good enough for your own salvation! In this context about the grace of God and our salvation, Paul as he so often does alludes once again to our baptism {called the “washing of regeneration”) in this text.
So I am simply encouraging Bible students to be consistent in their application of Paul’s writings. Yes he teaches salvation is not by works of merit, but he doesn’t include baptism as a part of those self-accomplishing works. Baptism is an act of faith and obedience done not to earn salvation, but to receive the grace of God through faith in Christ. In is necessary to be born again and enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5).
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¹ Jericho story is found in Joshua 6 and referenced as being an act of faith in Heb. 11:30; Naaman’s story is found in 2 Kings 5.
² Acts 2:38; John 3:3-5; Mark 16:16; Mat. 28:18-20; Acts 22:16; Acts 10:48
