Many have received the wrong answers from the “Got Questions Ministries.” The site teaches that salvation comes before a believer is raised alive with Christ being saved by grace. This is found throughout their articles including this one, “Does 1 Peter 3:21 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?” This article asserts that salvation comes before God raises a believer with Christ from baptism. The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This error is in contrast to the Truth presented in the Scriptures: “Why Does 1 Peter 3:21 Say, ‘Baptism Now Saves Us’?” Because of this error, I was compelled to write. Here is my letter to “Got Questions Ministries,”
Dear Mr. Houdmann and all of your volunteers,
Why is it that your website teaches people that they are saved by grace before being raised with Christ? When is a believer made alive and regenerated with Christ?
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved, and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph 2:5–9, emp. added).
Are not believers born again through the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” (1 Pet 1:3, emp. added).
Why do you not present that the saving Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1 Cor 15:1–4)? What did Jesus command all people after He was resurrected? Yet, you teach people to be saved like the thief on the cross before Jesus’ died, was buried, and resurrected. The New Testament began at the death of Christ, and you teach people to be saved like someone under the Old Testament. Not only are you rejecting the resurrection by putting salvation by grace before the resurrection, you are putting salvation by grace before the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and thus before the whole salvation of the Gospel. Are believers not saved by the Gospel (Rom 1:16)?
When are believers raised with Christ and saved by grace? Please, post your answer to that question.
Who has convinced you to believe these things? What did Jesus command to make disciples after He was resurrected? Was that command from man or from heaven? Why libel what Jesus commanded to reject that element of “water”? Would I be right to reject Christ’s crucifixion and being crucified with Christ because I label it as “just wood and nails salvation”? Can you really have been born again through the resurrection when you oppose being buried with Christ in His death? How can you then by raised with Him? Will you not be overcome by temptations when you have not put to death the works of the flesh?
I write this because you all appear to be sincerely religious. Yet, like Cornelius being devout, God-fearing, praying, and giving alms was not saved until Peter told him “words by which you and all your household will be saved” (Acts 11:14). You know that Cornelius must have been born again of the water and the Spirit (John 3:5; Titus 3:5; 1 Cor 6:11), and you know that Cornelius was taught that “the forgiveness of sins is through His name for whoever believes in Him” (Acts 10:43). What was Cornelius commanded to do in Jesus’ name (Acts 10:47–48)? Who can forbid this instruction in Jesus’ name?
What work of Moses’ Law is there in submitting to Christ’s Law? What in Moses’ Law is of faith and of the Spirit of life? Are Jesus’ commands the works of the Law of Moses?
“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law” (Rom 3:27–28).
Christ overcame the curse of the Law, and He did the work. He died, was buried, and was resurrected. Do you not really believe (Gal 2:20; 3:26–27)? His love compels true believers to die with Him (2 Cor 5:14–15). If you truly believe, then answer, “When does the believer begin to ‘walk in the newness of life’ (Rom 6:3–7)?” When are believers freed from sin by being united with Christ in the likeness of His death and resurrection? When are believers buried with Christ and raised with Him through faith in the working of God (Col 2:12–13)? When are believers made alive with Christ having been forgiven of all trespasses? Are believers not saved “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 3:21)?
My plea is for you to rethink, reconsider, and pray. Consider God’s judgment. How will you stand before God if you have changed the Gospel (Gal 1:6–9)? Be careful, and do not be like those who are as Jesus described, “For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in” (Matt 23:13). This will be posted as an open letter. I await your response.
May God bless us through His saving Gospel,
Scott Shifferd, evangelist, GodsBreath.net
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Here is the response from “Got Questions Ministries”:
Scott,
The “biblical answer” is already available on our website in numerous different articles on baptism. You can use the phrases “being raised with Christ,” and “made alive and regenerated with Christ” all you want, but it does not change the fact that you are talking about water baptism. Simply put, we do not believe that water baptism is when a person is spiritually raised with Christ, made alive, or regenerated. Yes, water baptism illustrates those events, but it is not necessarily the time when those events actually occur. The vast majority of Scripture verses you point to can easily be interpreted as referring to Spirit baptism, as water is nowhere mentioned in the contexts.
Sincerely in Christ,
Shea
GotQuestions.org
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Here is my following response:
Hi Shea and all,
Please, forgive my delay. I have been traveling. As previously addressed, I presented to you that a believer is raised and made alive from baptism, and this is when one is saved by grace (Col 2:12-13; Eph 2:4–7; cf. Rom 6:3–7). Any person teaching otherwise is separating faith from the resurrection of Christ that we have with Him.
As you agreed, a believer is saved when baptized, but you have excluded Jesus’ command of water baptism in His name. Why? There is big problem with your belief that “Spirit baptism” excludes Jesus’ instruction for baptism in water (Matt 28:19; cf. Acts 2:38). See, baptism in Jesus’ name is in water (Acts 10:47–48). Does the Holy Spirit have anything to do with this water baptism that Jesus commanded in His resurrection? This baptism is in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit (Matt 28:19). This is the baptism of 1 Corinthians for it is the name of Christ within the proclamation of the Gospel (1 Cor 1:11–13). The Spirit washes, sanctifies, and justifies a believer when washed in His name (1 Cor 6:11). This is the baptism spoken of throughout 1 Corinthians as it is compared to the water baptism of Israel (1 Cor 10:1–2). This baptism in the name of Christ is “by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Cor 12:13). Faith in the resurrection is essential to this baptism or one is baptized for the dead (1 Cor 15:29).
The baptism that Jesus commanded is the one baptism (Matt 28:19; Eph 4:5; cf. “water” Eph 5:26). Christ commanded His baptism in His name after His death, burial, and resurrection. Likewise, remember that the Pharisees also rejected John the Baptist’s baptism (Matt 21:25–27; Mark 11:30–33; Luke 20:4–8). I plead with all by the love of Christ to reconsider the baptism that Jesus Christ commanded in His resurrection. Do not have the spirit of the Pharisees who closed their eyes and ignored Christ’s words as the rest of the Scriptures? As proved before, one is raised and made alive from this baptism, and this is when one is saved by grace (Col 2:12–13; cf. Eph 2:4–7). This is really undeniable unless one denies Christ and the Scriptures altogether. Note that I am not saying that the water has any power outside of the commands of Jesus Christ. I am not saying a believer is regenerated and saved when entering the water or under the water, but that believers are regenerated and saved when raised with Christ and this is when God has raised the believer from the burial in water. Therefore, this is God’s work and His grace that raises us. This is taught in Ephesians 2:1–10. Look to Jesus again. He said that salvation does not come before this baptism, but salvation comes after belief and baptism (Mark 16:16). “Can anyone forbid water?” (Acts 10:47). “And now why are you waiting? Arise be baptized, washing away your sins calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). Why is it that no one waited to be baptized in Acts? Yet, many wait until a certain time of the season to be immersed now. Is that scriptural? Look to Acts at all those believers who obeyed by faith Christ’s command of baptism to become His disciples (Matt 28:19–20).
I urge you to seriously consider what you are teaching. Read these scriptures and be willing to make a stand for Truth no matter what you have been previous taught. Remember James 3:1 and 2 John 9 among many scriptures that warn us to teach the Truth or be judged strictly. This is why I have sided with Christ in all things concerning His command of baptism.
May God bless you all,
Scott Shifferd, evangelist, GodsBreath.net
The Breath of God 
Hi.
I believe it’s by grace through faith
That we are saved.faith in Jesus alone.
Repentance and faith in jesus, plus
Nothing else, or we add to Christ’s
Finished work.
And we need to be water baptised
In obedience to Christ.
Its interesting when looking at
Acts10-45-48 That the believers
Who heard the message were praising
God, filled with the spirit, talking in
Tongues, so they were saved
Even before they were water baptised.
This proves that water baptism dosent
Save anybody although it’s necessary
For obedience.
This should put to bed the argument and uncertainty whether you are genuinely saved without water baptism or not.
That if you repented And trusted Jesus
As Lord on your deathbed and could
Not get baptised in water,then you are still saved just as the believers in acts
10 we’re, before they got baptised,
But subsequently were, to follow the
Pattern.
It’s spiritual regeneration not water
Regeneration.
That’s the falce doctrine of water baptismal regeneration, basically
Stating that Jesus death on the cross
By itself is not enough.thats blasphemy.
That’s my understanding.
God bless.
Hi Voy,
When Jesus resurrected, He commanded, “Whoever believers and is baptized will be saved, but whoever the unbeliever is condemned” (Mark 16:16).
Peter taught, “Baptism now saves you” (1 Pet 3:21).
Jesus and Peter were not teaching error.
Voy, you do not know what “baptismal regeneration” is. Spurgeon said only the Anglican church believed that doctrine.
The Pharisees rejected John’s baptism and so they rejected God’s purpose (Luke 7:30).
God will not overlook ignorance of the meaning of baptism. Repentant believers partake of the death, burial, and resurrection through baptism (Rom 6:3-7). That is the gospel by which believers are saved (1 Cor 15:1-4).
God does the work of raising believers from baptism having forgiven them of all sins through baptism (Col 2:12-13; cf. Acts 2:38; 22:16). No scripture says that baptism is work. Baptism is passive where God does the work (Col 2:12-13). Because salvation is by grace through faith and not by works, then baptism is salvation by grace through faith.
As Peter taught Cornelius, forgiveness is in the name of Jesus, so he commanded Cornelius’s household to be baptized in Jesus’s name (Acts 10:43, 47-48). Acts 10 teaches just like Matt 7:21-23 that doing miraculous works and gifts of the Spirit do not save (cf. Rom 1:11; 8:5-6).
1Peter says 3:19-21: by whom also He went & preached to the spirits in prison who formerly were disobedient when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built in which 8 souls were saved thru water. There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism- not the removal of filth of the flesh, but by providing you with a clear conscience before God bc you are ‘demonstrating’ what you believe to be yours thru Jesus Christ’s resurrection.
Wow Scott. You are off in your doctrine and Bible. You have some things right, but the rest is wrong. Praying God opens you to the whole truth on this topic.
The blood of Jesus saves, nothing done by works saves us, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved declares the LORD, we can go on and on and on, but Jesus primary mission was to die by the will of God that we may live, yes get baptized, but if for some reason you can’t God’s mercy steps in, be blessed!
Why do you say baptism is a work? Did you baptize yourself? Cindy, you are conflating baptism with works. However, Jesus did reveal that faith is a work in John 6:28–29.
Baptism in Jesus’s name is a means of uniting with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection. This is the gospel — God’s power of salvation (Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 15:1–4).
Scott, I don’t know what you mean by, “The thief on the cross could have been baptized for repentance at some point in his life, we don’t know…” But anyway, on balance, the Bible does not support salvation by means of baptism, it is only ‘through’ faith in the Savior Jesus Christ. The Reformers agreed… Jesus did all the work of salvation on the cross, our ‘work’ is to believe, repent, and accept his substitutionary death on the cross. Paul never taught salvation through baptism, in fact he did not desire to baptize although he did baptize Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas as seen in 1 Cor 1:14. But he left that work to his co-ministers. How could Paul, if baptism saves, so neglect such an important point in his teachings? As a Jew he was very familiar with the ritual washings of Judaism, and I think he shunned them as part of the religious system he was trying to do away with as a means of salvation in the minds of Jews. He understood these things better than most. Peter, for a period of time struggled with leaving Judaism behind and I don’t believe that statement in 1 Pet 3:21 means that baptism is the means of salvation.. I believe baptism prevents a Christian from being wishy-washy (pardon the pun) in his or her walk with the Lord. Four words in succession in v.21 that do not agree with the balance of Scripture (interpret Scripture with Scripture) is not enough to build a baptism-saves doctrine. The mention of “conscience” (NASB) in v. 21 is important as it says baptism helps with guarding our conscience (removing the dirt in a sense) and keeping it clear before the Lord. The ending of verse 21 states clearly, and is the culminating thought here, that it is Jesus Christ and through his resurrection only that anything is accomplished… including our salvation of course. Just some thoughts……
Dan,
The Scriptures teach that one accepts Jesus’s work of salvation by baptism in His name. Baptism is where the repentant believer unites in Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:4). This is the power of God to salvation (Rom 1:16; 1 Cor 15:1–4). Baptism is when all sins are forgiven through Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Col 2:12–13; cf. Acts 2:38; 22:16). Baptism saves through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Pet 3:21).
The only reason that you would reject this baptism is because you reject the purpose of God (Luke 7:30).
Thanks Scott for your response…
The power of God for salvation is “the Gospel,” clearly in Rom 1:16. That he was buried and raised on the third day was for him alone… not for us as we are created beings… I don’t know anyone who that happened to! –Baptism is a re-enactment for us of what he did – was Christ’s work sufficient? Of course… and we publicly identify as believers. The tense is present for baptism and past for belief. Even if a person is saved and baptized on the same day as has occurred for many, their transformed mind (Rom 12.2) had to come first before they could step in the water. Otherwise, why would they do it? Jesus was clear that the ‘third man’ on the cross would see heaven that very day. Hence, the man’s belief resulted in his spirit baptism (indwelling HS) sans water baptism…. God is not narrow-minded when it comes to expediency! I think you are sincere in your defense of water baptism as a means of salvation, but you have apparently cross-tied it with spiritual baptism (salvation) and made symbolic water baptism the same thing. Jesus himself proves the two are separate.
I know independent Baptists likely agree with you, but they often desire, in an effort to build their church, to see a person be saved, baptized, and join the church in one fell-swoop. It is advantageous for the church membership, but I believe their emphasis is too strong on John the Baptist’s “baptism of repentance.” Jesus had no reason to repent, but yet he was baptized in order to “fulfill all righteousness” as seen in Matt 3.15. He identified with sin even though he was sinless… Of course, he had to also fulfill the OT prophecies. Isaiah prophesied that he was numbered among the transgressors… ouch! Would people look at Jesus before his public ministry and say he was not a sinner? Of course not… He appeared as a sinner and was certainly accused of blasphemy and other sins…
As far as Luke 7:30 goes, not many were baptized by John (I wasn’t and you weren’t), but especially the Pharisees because they didn’t believe in the first place… Uh oh.
I don’t believe anyone was baptized in the name of the Father, son, and Holy Spirit, or in the name of Jesus both are the same to me, this baptism would not of been suggested or needed before Jesus died, he had to died first in order for anyone to believe and receive him as LORD and savior in order to even qualify for baptism, as you said they were living under the Old Testament, remember ;)
That’s right.
I just wanted to say then i’ll be done that I wasn’t asking a question in my last comment, but just reminding you of what you previously said in your comment before mine, Be blessed!
Blessings, I understand indeed that God’s word say that Baptism now saves you, but the word also says also i Ephesians 2:8-10 For (by grace are ye saved through faith;) and that not of yourselves: it is the ()gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast, what is grace? the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. also Acts 10:44-48 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days….. Holy Spirit will not dwell in anyone who is not saved, you must receive and believe that God is before Holy Spirit takes up residence in your temple, so this household became saved after receiving the word of God, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. then they were baptized.
Simple question: Does one have to be water baptized to be saved? Yes or no.
Then is the blood of Jesus of no affect?? if we are saved by grace and not by works then why did Jesus die? why did Jesus say it is finished? why was the thief forgiving without baptism, and Jesus said on this day you shall be with me in paradise? I have a daughter with special needs and you mean to tell me that God is going to send her to hell when she’s done no wrong?? God declares that He will have mercy on whom he’ll have mercy on, and have compassion in whom I will have compassion on Romans 9;15. Indeed according to the word of God we should be baptized, but many will not be able to do it, for those who surrenders their life on their death bed, and receive Jesus as LORD and savior shall be saved, Jesus declared I did not come to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved, God’s word also declares whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved Romans 10:13, and that it is not God’s will that none shall perish but that all come to repentance Jesus blood alone has paid the price for our salvation, I am not trying to minimize baptism, because I can’t Jesus in the great commission to make disciples, and to baptize them, it’s really hard to believe that a loving God who sent His only begotten son to die for all humanity will allow the innocent, weak and feeble to a place of torment.
No one says that sin condemns the innocent. That is borderline slander. Jesus says that children belong to the kingdom of heaven (Matt 19:14).
The Pharisees rejected baptism because they rejected God’s promise (Luke 7:30; 20:1–8). Baptism partakes of Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:1–7; Col 2:12–13). Baptism accesses the grace and blood of Christ in Jesus’s death.
Please, do a word study on baptism and read every scripture about baptism in the Bible. Baptism is essential to forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Col 2:12–13). Baptism is essential to salvation (Mark 16:16; 1 Pet 3:21). I cannot change what the Bible clearly states.
I cannot say anything different than Peter, “Baptism now saves us” (1 Pet 3:21).
The following excerpts come from an unaltered book of Matthew that could have even been the original or the first copy of the original of Matthew. Thus Eusebius informs us of the actual words Jesus spoke to his disciples in Matthew 28:19.
“With one word and voice He said to His disciples: “Go, and make disciples of all nations in My Name, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you,” — (Proof of the Gospel by Eusebius, Book III, ch 6, 132 (a), p. 152)
“But while the disciples of Jesus were most likely either saying thus, or thinking thus, the Master solved their difficulties, by the addition of one phrase, saying they should triumph “In MY NAME.” And the power of His name being so great, that the apostle says: “God has given him a name which is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth,” He shewed the virtue of the power in His Name concealed from the crowd when He said to His disciples: “Go, and make disciples of all the nations in my Name.” He also most accurately forecasts the future when He says: “for this gospel must first be preached to all the world, for a witness to all nations.” — (Proof of the Gospel by Eusebius, Book III, ch 7, 136 (a-d), p. 157)
Nothing about baptizing!
No. That is a bold assertion upon one source and not even a primary witness. God’s word has not been altered. The Scriptures stand.
Go read Eusebuis. You’ve been conned. Don’t be like the Pharisees who rejected the command for baptism (Luke 7:30). Do a study of baptism throughout the Bible.
I cannot say anything other than what Jesus and the apostles taught. Peter declared, “Baptism now saves you” (1 Pet 3:21). How can Peter write this and it be true?
That’s the point that I am making, if the children belong to the kingdom, then ALL are not baptized going into the kingdom, there are some exceptions, and not just for children, for God said that He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy on, what bible do you use?
Hey sister,
If you are saying that baptism is for repentant believers, then I must agree. That is what the Scriptures teach.
This means that children do not need baptism. Children are safe not needing to be saved. Jesus says children are of the kingdom (Matt 19:4). Death by sin comes later (Rom 7:9; cf. Rom 2:12; 4:15).
Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom 6:7; 1 Cor 6:11; Col 2:13).
God is just. His word stands. Is there an exception to baptism supposing that one is seeking baptism but dies before being baptism? I would suppose if such scenario is possible. However, this scenario appears to me to be improbable. Would God allow such as He wants all to be saved (1 Tim 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9)? Furthermore, only God knows His judgment about deathbed confessions of faith for which He has given us no knowledge in Scripture.
We cannot judge or think that such a last moment confession is received by God. God tells us how to be saved but He does not give any exception in the Scriptures. The scenario of last moment confessions would include years if not decades of contemplation and rejection of God’s grace. My conclusion is that God possibly receives such confessions but that is not probable according to His word. God has provided sufficient time for all to be saved (2 Pet 3:9).
We must realize that baptism in Jesus’s name unites the repentant believer with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:3–4). The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is the gospel that saves (1 Cor 15:1–4). The gospel is the power of God for salvation (Rom 1:16). This baptism is for the forgiveness of all sins because of Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection (Col 2:12–13). This baptism is the one baptism (Eph 4:5).
Jesus forgave the thief on the cross before Jesus established the new covenant — the New Testament — by His death (Heb 9:15–17; cf. Matt 26:26–29). Jesus forgave the thief on the cross before Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus forgave the thief before He commanded baptism in His name (Matt 28:19–20). Does that make Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection irrelevant and without power for forgiveness and salvation because Jesus forgave others before His own death and resurrection? This cannot be!
To say that baptism is not necessary is to say that uniting with Christ in the gospel of His death, burial, and resurrection is not necessary. I cannot say that upon reading the scriptures mentioned in the above text.
God bless, I’m just seeing this response, I didn’t say baptism wasn’t necessary in fact I stated according to the word of God Jesus said to go forth and make disciples and baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as declared in Matthew 28, but may I ask when Jesus went to preach to those who have died, and were in prison, and I want to say Hades, the Old Testament saints such as Abraham, Moses, David etc who as well needed to hear the gospel preached, because according to the word of God all must hear the gospel, were they received into heaven after Christ died, and did they get baptized?
Hey Cindy,
You are referring to 1 Peter 3:18–4:6. One position is that Jesus died and was alive in the spirit went to Hades to preach to the spirits in prison. This would mean that Jesus went to these spirits after He died. Another position is that Jesus rose from the dead by the Spirit and preached to the spirits “in prison” meaning the lost on earth (cf. Rom 1:4). I lean toward the later position that those spirits in prison are those who are spiritually dead because of sins (1 Pet 4:1–6). However, I can easily see the other position too.
Blessings, I really wasn’t asking a question, indeed that’s the scripture I was referring to, I wanted to just get your response primarily to baptism, because those souls were not baptized, they were there waiting for that moment when Jesus died, they entered heaven unbaptized because they had already fallen asleep/died way back in the old testament, I am not trying to discredit baptism, how can I it is the word of God, and I reverence God, and His Holy Word, I am just saying that I believe as I look at the word of God, and see certain situations such as the one I am mentioning now that they were, and are some that will not be baptized, but instead entire into heaven through God’s mercy, and compassion due to the fact that baptism is not what saves you, it is the BLOOD OF JESUS alone, yes we are to be baptized as a believer according to Matthew 28 but again the word of God shows us in several places of the grace and mercy of God, even though Jesus was still alive and promised the thief he would entire into paradise with him, God’s word already declares that God has already known from the foundation of the world who are His, and who are of the called in Romans 8:28, because He is God and created all things, the earth, and the fullness thereof , and they that dwell therein according to Psalm 24:1.
Cindy:
I think I see your question and dilemma. God calls us by the gospel of Christ (2 Thess 2:13–15). The gospel is the power of God for salvation (Rom 1:16). The gospel saves being the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:1–4). The gospel is the means of salvation by grace through faith (Eph 2:4–9; cf. Col2:12–13).
Jesus commanded baptism when He rose from the dead. Baptism unites the repentent believer with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12–13). I see no need for baptism until after Jesus’s death, burial, and resurrection. This applies to the thief on the cross and those of whom Jesus forgave from the cross.
Peter said, “Baptism now saves us” (1 Pet 3:21). No honest Christian can say anything different. Peter explains that baptism is an appeal to God for a good conscience “through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 3:21; cf. Acts 22:16; 1 Pet 1:3).
Furthermore, the Old Testament included law and faith. The OT had washings but no command for baptism. The OT also had a sacrificial system that changed under Christ. The New Testament is another covenant with a different sacrificial system (Heb 7–10). The church is the temple, Christians are priests, and good deeds are spiritual sacrifices (1 Pet 2:5; cf. Rom 12:1; Heb 13:15–16). The New Testament began at Jesus’s death on the cross (Heb 9:14–23). Hebrews 9 explains the need for the blood of Christ to establish the new covenant, which is the New Testament. God passed over the sins of those under the OT until Christ came and died (Rom 3:21–26). In the NT, Jesus and His apostles command baptism.
The thief on the cross could have been baptized for repentance at some point in his life. We don’t know. Furthermore, the thief was under the OT system. Jesus had not yet died and resurrected. The thief could not obey Jesus’s command to be baptized before Jesus gave it (Matt 28:19–20).
I did not become a Christian until I was 33 years old. With no basic religion of my past except to be told that I was catholic…. I have no filters or baggage to carry around. That being said, in simply reading the Bible as it was given to me, I noticed all the scriptures first and always mention that Jesus Christ is raised from the dead. The Apostles always mentioned this and everything else about the name of Jesus; who he is, what he did on the cross etc… so here’s my take…. every single time the gospel is proclaimed the person or people obeying it were baptized in water without delay.
Here’s something else to consider… it would be just like the devil to do what he did in the Garden of Eden …. he told Eve, ” you won’t die” if you eat the fruit… it’s just like that crafty cunning serpent to take Jesus very first command after he was resurrected and whisper to people -you will be saved even if you’re not baptized! You won’t die Eve, ( lie) you will be saved believer not being baptized ( lie)
He whispers to some :
• baptism is a work ( truth, yes it is; a work of God – Colossians 2)
• just say the sinners prayer- WHERE?
• we’re saved by grace alone – ” grace through faith ” Eph 2:8
I will always go back to Acts 2 and the Apostle Peter’s preaching …. it’s nearly impossible to misunderstand…. he blasts the Jews for not believing in Jesus Christ. Tells them that they crucified the savior of the world…. ” they were pricked in their heart” and as you could hear a pin drop they ask-,. ” What shall we do ?
HERE IS WHAT SETTLES IT FOR ME! the first sermon after the resurrection ( the Altar call , if you will ) PETER could have said:
Nothing ! Now that you believe, you’re saved
Say this prayer, Lord Jesus come into my life ( nothing ever wrong with saying this) but it’s not Peters response
Repent and ask Jesus into your heart! No doubt we must all repent, and…. have Jesus in our hearts…. but it’s not what he said…. Peter said what Jesus told him to say… REPENT and be BAPTIZED everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”
With great respect to all who struggle with or have arguments about this subject …. I ask people to become a Christian ( now as a preacher) by quoting Peter in Acts 2:38 ( how can I be wrong unless Peter is too!)
It’s also so hard to get past the Eunuch when he so vehemently wants to find water ! Why Eunuch why? The answer: because Phillip said the same thing that Peter said … who said it because Jesus told him to in Matthew 28:18 after his resurrection .
Glad to be if any help to all if I can.
This is a better reply than I have ever heard. God bless, brother.
God bless you for you’re great comment, it is of truth, I truly believe according to the word of God that you must be baptized as a believer, I have been baptized in both ways in The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and also in the name of Jesus, when I first baptized I was baptized according to Matthew 28:19, and then when I joined a church that was said to be a Non Denominational church but was under the Pentecostal faith baptized, and left 2 years later due to their beliefs, I got baptized in the name of Jesus to appease my pastor’s continual prompting to be baptized in the name of Jesus to all who weren’t, so I submitted to that request because why not? Jesus is my LORD, and indeed it is not a curse, but a blessing, and an honor to do so however I already knew that I have been baptized according to Matthew 28:19, so again I believe wholeheartedly that one is to be baptized, now my question to you is something that I know many have asked you over and over again, and that is what about the thief on the cross? now I ask, did the thief repent? did he die? did he get baptized? did Jesus promise him salvation/ did they come down off the cross to find a body of water just as the eunuch did to be baptized? I’m not questioning God’s word, because His word is the same yesterday, today, and forever more, and doesn’t God also declare that His mercy endures forever? I have a daughter with special needs, and you mean to tell me that she’ll be sent to a place of torment for not being able to understand, and be baptized when she’s done no wrong? I believe God is more gracious, and loving than that, what happens to those on their death bed that ask’s for forgiveness for their sin’s, and repent? I believe that the thief on the cross was a demonstration of God’s mercy, for the thief was not able to be baptized because of his situation at the time, and shows us that God indeed will have mercy on whom he’ll mercy on. God’s word declares that it is not His will that none shall perish but that all come to repentance 2 Peter 3:9. God declares in John 3:16-18 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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Ultimately our salvation is based n faith, and how God has provided also a lamb in the bush, and a way of escape when there is no other way, I completely believe as a believer we must be baptized, my oldest daughter was baptized at 11 years old when she understood, and believed in the LORD for herself, God is not slack concerning any of His promises, and one of them are is that His mercy endures forever!