Gospel of Christ Ministries

Baptismal regeneration is a view held by some denominations as an absolute necessity to enter the kingdom of God. The position goes as far as stating that one cannot be saved unless he acknowledges that baptism is the means of his regeneration. The debate could be settled by looking at the history of the water baptism and the reason why it came into effect.

“Study to show yourselves approved unto God…rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15).

“He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16).

It is important to know that this is written to the Jews, who had heard the message of the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins (Luke 3:3). God’s order was for the Gospel to be preached to the Jews first (Romans 1:16).

The Jews who had heard this message were told to be water baptized in view of the forgiveness of sins. This message was still in the transition period from John (law) to Cornelius (grace), a span of over twenty years (Luke 16:16). No Jew at that time received salvation without first going through the water baptism of John. They were told to go believe on Christ when He comes and dies for all sins. John was preparing the way for them to be saved (Isaiah 40:3; Luke 3:4).

Jesus was baptized by John to reveal Himself to Israel (John 1:31). “This is He that came by water and blood” (1 John 5:6). The water was baptism, the blood was the crucifixion. Many of John’s disciples did not receive Jesus, even though they were baptized in water (John 1:11). In fact, some of them were among those who yelled, “Crucify Him!” (John 19:15).

“And he said unto them, ‘Unto what then were ye baptized?’ And they said, ‘Unto John’s baptism.’ Then said Paul, ‘John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus’” (Acts 19:3,4).

The Jews were then baptized in the name of Jesus, no longer identifying themselves with John, but rather with Christ. The people who John baptized weren’t saved until they came to the only Savior and believed on Him.

Peter continued John’s message to the Jews in Acts 2:38, and later to the Samaritans. When he was introducing salvation to the Gentile world, he brought a different message. “Unto Him (Jesus) give all the prophets witness, that whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). That meant everyone!

Upon conversion, Peter asks, “Why not be baptized after being filled with the spirit?” (Acts 10:47). So, after being saved, they participated in believer’s baptism, which served as a public declaration to the world. “Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [Him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12). This verse shows baptism of water is an outward sign of inner faith and repentance.

Christ baptizes us into His body by the Spirit of God upon conversion (Matthew 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16) because He is the builder of the church (Matthew 18:16). No man can baptize us into Christ; that is God’s job (1 Corinthians 12:13).

The Gospel message emphasizes the importance of the blood of Christ as the only means of salvation independent of water. One can enter the waters of baptism as a dry sinner, and exit a wet sinner. It is only through the blood of Christ that we obtain access to the Father.

“It is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11)

“Without the shedding of blood there is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22)

Christ was the one and only sufficient sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10); “For we have redemption through His blood…” (Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14). “[He] loved us and washed us from our sins in His blood” (Revelation 1:5). Scripture never implies access to the blood through water, but by faith (Romans 3:25).

Do you trust water or blood?