For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. - John 3:16
We are halfway through our current sermon series called “Baptist Distinctives”. This study focuses on certain beliefs and practices that are peculiar to and indicative of the Baptist faith. These “markers” help to distinguish Baptists from other Christian denominations.
Baptists accept the Bible as the sole and final authority of all Christian faith and practice. They support the autonomy of the local church and practice congregational governance. They encourage voluntary cooperation between churches, but do not require it. Baptists have no governing structure outside of or over the local church. They recognize only 2 Biblical offices - pastors and deacons. These officers serve to meet the spiritual and physical needs of each congregation. Baptists are also staunch defenders of individual religious liberty and the separation of church and state.
This morning we will consider what Baptists believe regarding the manner of salvation. In other words, what must a person do in order to be saved and receive eternal life? This is one of the most important questions that anyone can ask. It is imperative that we know the answer. Does water baptism save the sinner? Does placing one’s faith in Jesus save the sinner? Or, does salvation require both?
I. BAPTISMAL REGENERATION
According to GotQuestions.org, “Baptismal regeneration is the belief that baptism is necessary for salvation, or, more precisely, that regeneration does not occur until a person is water baptized.” In other words, it holds that a sinner is not truly forgiven and born-again unless, and until, they are baptized. This position is held by several religious groups and denominations. There are a handful of verses in the Bible that seem to promote this doctrine.
Mark 16:16 says, “The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned.” Is Mark saying that a person must be baptized in order to be saved? No, he isn’t. Consider this statement, “The one who has boarded the bus and sat down will be taken to his destination; but the one who has not boarded the bus will be left behind.” In this example, the determining factor for reaching one’s destination is whether or not they get on the bus. True, they will get there if they sit - but they’ll also get there if they stand. In like fashion, the imperative for salvation is belief or faith, not baptism.
In Acts 2:38 Peter says, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Is Peter teaching that a person must be baptized in order to receive forgiveness of their sins? Not necessarily. The preposition “for” can mean either “in order to” or “because of”. Consider these statements: “I paid $5 for the hamburger” (meaning in order to get it) and “I took some medicine for my sore throat” (meaning because of it). Both usages of “for” are correct. Therefore, Peter could have been urging the people to be baptized because of the forgiveness they’d receive as a result of their repentance (prior to baptism). Since either interpretation is possible, this verse can’t be cited as absolute proof that baptism is necessary for salvation.
Jesus answered Nicademus in John 3:5, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Is Jesus telling him that baptism is necessary for salvation? Again, no. The phrase “born of water” could mean something other than water baptism. Some interpret it as referring to one’s natural birth, noting that a pregnant woman’s water breaks typically before or as they go into labor. Thus, a person must be born physically and the re-born spiritually. Others suggest that “born of water” is a figurative description of the living water that washes away or cleanses sin. Either way, Jesus is not definitively saying that one must be baptized in order to be saved.
While these and other similar verses may appear to teach baptismal regeneration, none of them are conclusive. In order to determine the true manner of salvation, more definitive verses and passages must be used. These verses should then be clarified and more precisely interpreted in light of those whose meanings are indisputable.
II. REGENERATION THROUGH FAITH
If one takes all of Scripture into account, it becomes abundantly clear that faith alone is the proper manner of salvation. There are numerous verses and passages that make this point. These are straightforward, unambiguous, and conclusive.
In Ephesians 2:8 the apostle Paul writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” There is no mention of baptism in this verse. Believers are regenerated by God’s grace, solely as the result of their faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that even the Old Testament saints, who lived under the Law and were never baptized, were saved by faith (Romans 4).
Paul describes the manner of salvation in Romans 10:9 when he says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” The key here is belief, which is to say faith. Those who truly believe in Christ will publicly and boldly confess Him as their Lord and Savior, even in the face of persecution. Confession provides visible evidence of one’s faith. Such people are certain to be saved, without respect to baptism.
Jesus taught in John 5:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” In this sermon, Jesus explained to the crowd that belief (or faith) is the determining factor between those who have eternal life and those who are under judgment. Again, baptism is not named as a requirement for salvation.
While the Lord was dining at a Pharisee’s house, a sinful woman approached Him and tearfully anointed His feet. Jesus responded in Luke 7:50, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” After being miraculously released from prison, Paul and Silas told the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:31, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” In both instances salvation was contingent upon faith, not baptism.
These and numerous other verses confirm that regeneration, or the new-birth, comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is the manner of salvation.
CONCLUSION
Baptists wholly reject the doctrine of baptismal regeneration. They maintain that faith alone saves the sinner. Those who have repented of their sins, confessed Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and trusted in Him for their salvation are truly born-again. Apart from such saving faith, a person is still in their sins. Water baptism does not bring about regeneration. Therefore…
Although baptism does not affect regeneration or save the lost person, it is still very important to Baptists. This is quite evident by the name of their denomination. So what do Baptists believe about baptism? We will talk about that next week.
We are halfway through our current sermon series called “Baptist Distinctives”. This study focuses on certain beliefs and practices that are peculiar to and indicative of the Baptist faith. These “markers” help to distinguish Baptists from other Christian denominations.
Baptists accept the Bible as the sole and final authority of all Christian faith and practice. They support the autonomy of the local church and practice congregational governance. They encourage voluntary cooperation between churches, but do not require it. Baptists have no governing structure outside of or over the local church. They recognize only 2 Biblical offices - pastors and deacons. These officers serve to meet the spiritual and physical needs of each congregation. Baptists are also staunch defenders of individual religious liberty and the separation of church and state.
This morning we will consider what Baptists believe regarding the manner of salvation. In other words, what must a person do in order to be saved and receive eternal life? This is one of the most important questions that anyone can ask. It is imperative that we know the answer. Does water baptism save the sinner? Does placing one’s faith in Jesus save the sinner? Or, does salvation require both?
I. BAPTISMAL REGENERATION
According to GotQuestions.org, “Baptismal regeneration is the belief that baptism is necessary for salvation, or, more precisely, that regeneration does not occur until a person is water baptized.” In other words, it holds that a sinner is not truly forgiven and born-again unless, and until, they are baptized. This position is held by several religious groups and denominations. There are a handful of verses in the Bible that seem to promote this doctrine.
Mark 16:16 says, “The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned.” Is Mark saying that a person must be baptized in order to be saved? No, he isn’t. Consider this statement, “The one who has boarded the bus and sat down will be taken to his destination; but the one who has not boarded the bus will be left behind.” In this example, the determining factor for reaching one’s destination is whether or not they get on the bus. True, they will get there if they sit - but they’ll also get there if they stand. In like fashion, the imperative for salvation is belief or faith, not baptism.
In Acts 2:38 Peter says, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Is Peter teaching that a person must be baptized in order to receive forgiveness of their sins? Not necessarily. The preposition “for” can mean either “in order to” or “because of”. Consider these statements: “I paid $5 for the hamburger” (meaning in order to get it) and “I took some medicine for my sore throat” (meaning because of it). Both usages of “for” are correct. Therefore, Peter could have been urging the people to be baptized because of the forgiveness they’d receive as a result of their repentance (prior to baptism). Since either interpretation is possible, this verse can’t be cited as absolute proof that baptism is necessary for salvation.
Jesus answered Nicademus in John 3:5, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Is Jesus telling him that baptism is necessary for salvation? Again, no. The phrase “born of water” could mean something other than water baptism. Some interpret it as referring to one’s natural birth, noting that a pregnant woman’s water breaks typically before or as they go into labor. Thus, a person must be born physically and the re-born spiritually. Others suggest that “born of water” is a figurative description of the living water that washes away or cleanses sin. Either way, Jesus is not definitively saying that one must be baptized in order to be saved.
While these and other similar verses may appear to teach baptismal regeneration, none of them are conclusive. In order to determine the true manner of salvation, more definitive verses and passages must be used. These verses should then be clarified and more precisely interpreted in light of those whose meanings are indisputable.
II. REGENERATION THROUGH FAITH
If one takes all of Scripture into account, it becomes abundantly clear that faith alone is the proper manner of salvation. There are numerous verses and passages that make this point. These are straightforward, unambiguous, and conclusive.
In Ephesians 2:8 the apostle Paul writes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” There is no mention of baptism in this verse. Believers are regenerated by God’s grace, solely as the result of their faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that even the Old Testament saints, who lived under the Law and were never baptized, were saved by faith (Romans 4).
Paul describes the manner of salvation in Romans 10:9 when he says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” The key here is belief, which is to say faith. Those who truly believe in Christ will publicly and boldly confess Him as their Lord and Savior, even in the face of persecution. Confession provides visible evidence of one’s faith. Such people are certain to be saved, without respect to baptism.
Jesus taught in John 5:24, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the one who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” In this sermon, Jesus explained to the crowd that belief (or faith) is the determining factor between those who have eternal life and those who are under judgment. Again, baptism is not named as a requirement for salvation.
While the Lord was dining at a Pharisee’s house, a sinful woman approached Him and tearfully anointed His feet. Jesus responded in Luke 7:50, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” After being miraculously released from prison, Paul and Silas told the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:31, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” In both instances salvation was contingent upon faith, not baptism.
These and numerous other verses confirm that regeneration, or the new-birth, comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith is the manner of salvation.
CONCLUSION
Baptists wholly reject the doctrine of baptismal regeneration. They maintain that faith alone saves the sinner. Those who have repented of their sins, confessed Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and trusted in Him for their salvation are truly born-again. Apart from such saving faith, a person is still in their sins. Water baptism does not bring about regeneration. Therefore…
- Someone who has been baptized but has never actually placed their faith in Christ is lost, because they lack faith.
- Someone who has faith in Christ and has been baptized is saved, because of their faith (not their baptism).
- Someone who has faith in Christ but hasn’t been baptized is saved, because baptism is not necessary for salvation.
Although baptism does not affect regeneration or save the lost person, it is still very important to Baptists. This is quite evident by the name of their denomination. So what do Baptists believe about baptism? We will talk about that next week.