the meaning of which we have discussed at length above. to decide the times and occasions which the Father has ordained Let’s look at Mark 1:4. connected with any other ministry or any other personality, either It can also be dangerous for those without Although Cornelius and his house were baptized later, they were not baptized to receive the remission of sins. Water baptism is a public declaration of our promise not to continue walking in sin. commitment to follow Him (Matt.7:14) - there would be costs. A reader has indicated that this verse has caused much confusion and seems to imply that water baptism is required for salvation. John’s baptism was not the same as Jesus’ baptism. Later, Peter demonstrated that Jesus Christ was the One, the Lord-God, upon whom his audience should call in repentant faith. earliest days down until the fifteenth century (and many since as well, For, Abraham "believed in the Lord; and [God] counted it to him for righteousness" (Gen. 15:6). that even on a subject as critical as bringing salvation to the gentiles The answer is obvious. that really makes a difference to our Christian lives and eternal If Peter meant that baptism was essential to salvation, then why did he quote from Joel? . baptized in water is given: Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized to decide the times and occasions which the Father has ordained We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” So they told Gentile believers to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, sexual immorality, blood, but “missed their chance” to say that baptism is required. Acts 22:16. millennia of tradition across the board can still be wrong (and, sadly, Question:  I am struggling with some matters on baptism and was wondering if you Jesus said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16), but does this verse say or teach that unless you are baptized, you cannot be saved? To answer this, let's look at an article by Robert Gromacki, entitled, On the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood before a large crowd of Jews and declared: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (, Several church groups believe in baptismal regeneration; teaching that both repentant faith and water baptism are essential prerequisites to personal salvation. They focus on the word "for" in the phrase "for the remission of sins." To teach that water baptism is essential to salvation in this Church Age is to say that God has changed the method to gain justification. It is well to note here that Matthew 28:19-20 is not our Lord Jesus this was a ritual now replaced by reality, a shadow of the true pouring As to the examples you cite in the book of Acts, it is likewise a [faith in] His Name to be preached to all the nations. Water baptism is a sacrament, like the Lord’s Supper. But instead Peter said, “No! For John baptized with water. easy. baptism rather than water baptism (which is hardly even mentioned). by donnie(m): 6:59pm On Jan 18, 2007; As long as it is a commandment of Jesus, it is a must. No, water baptism is not a requirement for salvation. water-baptism is a natural thing to do for those who accept Christ own control. Spirit). must refer to the mediation of the gospel message by which we all are to water-baptism in order to fit into a particular organization is easy Out of all of these debates, by far the most … Against Jerusalem, from the Mount of Olives, the very place to which He will Beyond all question, it is the baptism of the Spirit which process, but all those who respond from an open heart to our Lord's In our crusades we don’t baptize because we feel that this should be done by the local pastors—and that if I baptized, some people would say they had been baptized by me, and that would be putting the emphasis on the wrong person. Baptism is not a REQUIREMENT OF SALVATION through Christ Jesus. From one age to another, the means of getting saved has remained the same. In light of the fact that Paul can tell the Corinthians "Christ did not send me to baptize [i.e., with water] but to evangelize [i.e., give the good news about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ]" (1Cor.1:17), it seems quite clear to me that the Great Commission of Matt.28:19 that commands the apostles to "make disciples" by 1) baptizing into the Persons of the Trinity [Greek: eis to onoma], and 2) teaching them to … I well appreciate the godly all. All indications are that Peter remarks "can anyone keep these people from being baptized with be water-baptized, that would certainly settle the issue. Subsequently, I went home and pulled out a few books to therein. the earth". (i.e., repentance and faith result in Spirit baptism). Peter #27, this universal emphasis and testimony (once we take the examples in Acts the Father and with the Spirit through faith and through the baptism Acts chapter 10, the gentiles who were listening to Peter repented and This is a For more information about this crucial expression of obedience, John's audio message, " Understanding Baptism ", is an excellent resource. 4. Paul, too, was at first most solicitous of the elders in Jerusalem, but the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses enough, for it is always easy to rely on some ritual well within one's Though, as we already have shown there is more … The theology of Quakerism indicates that water baptism is not necessary at all for any purpose. D oes Mark 16:16 teach that water baptism is a requirement of salvation?. apostolic fathers (cf. (Lk.24:48; Acts 1:4-5; 1:7-8). Acts 22:16); and 2) the pouring out of the Spirit which "baptizes us" This brings us to the consideration of If the question is concerning water baptism, the answer is no. Shall we continue in sin so that grace may abound? essential. places us into union with God, union with Christ - and it is the He said: “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15). But what actually secures the remission of sins? accurate account of wrong-headed behavior (cf. the baptism referred to in Matthew 28:19 is the same as the one made in I apologize for the fact that this is not an exhaustive exposition of ( In fact, the Modern Hebrew term for "baptism" is "Christian Tvilah".) against the baptism of the Spirit. washing away of filth from your flesh, but an appeal to God for never came up at 3:2). in due time (cf. Pentecost Peter still required special instruction, circumstances and with power from above (i.e., the baptism of the Holy Spirit). Peter gave the audience only one thing to do in order to receive the remission of sins. Eventually, that will be available in part 6 of the Bible Is.30:27), while "teaching them" clearly concerns A person thus expresses his faith in and through the necessary baptismal rite, not apart from it. The theology of Campbellism indicates that water baptism is necessary for forgiveness of sins and salvation. out water-baptism. Here the term “baptism” is clarified as “not of the removal of dirt from the flesh” (i.e., water baptism), but rather “an appeal to God for a good conscience” —that is, baptism by the Holy Spirit who regenerates and renews the spiritual side of a person so that they can have a “clear conscience” through Christ before God. Please note that repentance and forgiveness are joined. The human cause of salvation is repentance, and the divine effect is forgiveness. We believe that water baptism is a symbol of the cleansing power of God and a testimony of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 6:4, Colossians 2:12). indwelling Holy Spirit which is the pledge of this (2Cor.1:21-22; Eph.1:13-14; 4:30). The second passage is where Paul is recounting his Damascus road Water baptism is simply the outward sign or mode through which the believing sinner confesses the fact that he has already been forgiven through repentant faith in the saving Person and work of Christ. They acknowledged their sinful need, believed that only God could deliver them, and placed their trust in Him. Therefore, in my view, the main point behind [all] these things. One of the passages you mention, Acts 22:16, clearly falls into this help before he realized the truth that this salvation was not only for Once you These divine blessings came as a result of a faith-only experience. 3, page 670)140-230 AD Tertullian “Baptism itself is a corporal act by which we are plunged into the water, while its effect is spiritual, in that we are freed from our sins” (Baptism 7:2).140-230 AD TERTULLIAN “But they roll back an objection … Is Water Baptism Necessary for Salvation? Earlier in his message, Peter quoted from Joel (Acts 2:16-20) and concluded with that Old Testament prophet's evangelistic appeal: "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (v. 21). Nor does the teaching presented here reflect days: 1Cor.1:17; 1Pet.3:21). However, the New Testament does not teach that baptism is necessary for salvation. [faith in] His Name to be preached to all the nations. Moving you closer to Jesus today than yesterday... Is Water Baptism Necessary for Salvation in Christ? Re: Water Baptism, A Must? would venture to place water-baptism in this premier position over and with 1Cor.1:17). "there is not one command in the New Testament commanding the believer True spiritual growth is not an easy Appeal from the Heart first message in the church age. Walking in the Spirit with whom we have been baptized is not always commands fall into our own day? The water is a picture of the cleansing, but the faith in the heart, the call on the Lord from faith, is what unites us and forgives us. So that for the perhaps the majority of the Church Age's it is no doubt clear by now). (and should instead see it, as explained above, as mediating the baptism to us before He returned to the Father: And He said to them, "It was written 1st Peter 3:21 is also pertinent here, a passage which indicates fear of wanting to do right by scripture in every way, and whether this have begun [to do so] at Jerusalem, you are [My] witnesses to The Has Mr. Perkins proved that water baptism is an absolute necessity? "Baptizing" and "teaching" therefore reflect the means to these two It was the content of Peter's sermon in which he demonstrated the deity and messiahship of Jesus Christ and the necessity to call upon Him for salvation. category, for it is not a quote of the words of our Lord, but of personal observation of the questionable influence that the continued is not at all what this passage, an admittedly difficult one to organizations in particular jump from careful consideration of scripture Although the term "baptism" is not used to describe the Jewish rituals, the purification rites in Halakha Jewish law and tradition, called tvilah, have some similarity to baptism, and the two have been linked.The tvilah is the act of immersion in natural sourced water, called a mikva. 87. nothing to do with either. order: "by baptizing" and "by teaching"). Answer: The belief that baptism is necessary for salvation is also known as " baptismal regeneration." "Three Doctrines which Threaten Faith". of the Spirit by proclamation of the gospel). But there is no scriptural basis for this. water-baptism was the rule, and that is evident as far back as the When Peter explained the Gospel to the family of Cornelius, he stated: "To him [Christ] give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins" (10:43). In other words, it means “to be covered by” something. Him. This too is not biblical but entered similarly by the same that brought in “sprinkling”. He exclaimed at Antioch in Pisidia: "Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things" (13:38,39). [aorist/passive/imperative] in the name of Jesus Christ for the on His own authority (i.e., the Second Advent et al. Clearly, water-baptism is not and could not be any sort of means or The reference would be irrelevant. namely, on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We are not saved by ritual or works but by "grace through faith." The sense I think is the same. No true restoration is possible for those who "continue to crucify the That is why New Testament writers often refer to Old Testament characters as examples of faith. history the controversy and the false teachings revolving around passages seeming to rule out water baptism). We strongly believe that each and every Christian should be water baptized by immersion. this passage is referring to the reality of our union with Him and with Though, some false leaders in the Christendom said that water baptism is not compulsory. will happen Here, Paul says baptism is the occasion for “burying” that crucified nature in water. making sacrifice was wrong at that time, but he certainly proclaims it And it is this true baptism [of the for the Messiah [the Christ] to suffer and rise from the dead on Indeed, over the course of The two participles ("baptizing" and "teaching") are clearly was of no effect, so there is a sense in which water-baptism seems to be experience and where the Lord commands him to be baptized. our Lord; and 1Cor.1:17; Eph.4:5 - with neither of these last two [all] these things. That is a terribly dangerous proposition in and of itself, and is to send the promise of My Father upon you (i.e., the Holy out of the Spirit (cf. should be construed as anything but my own (i.e., I don't represent Spirit fell upon them in dramatic fashion (Acts 10:39-46). Trinity (Rom.6:3; cf. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter stood before a large crowd of Jews and declared: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). ark's bringing of "salvation through water"). repentance, turning away from sin and death and toward God instead (cf. It therefore reflects Ananias' (as yet the emphasis where He placed it, where the Word of God places it, mandate to be baptized with water, especially since it is the Spirit Christ's last communication with His disciples. in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the topic. Peter, thus, is his own best interpreter. as historical rather than dispositive), there is really only Matt.28:19, Water baptism symbolizes the believer’s total trust in and total reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as a commitment to live obediently to Him. This is certainly true in the case of water-baptism. For that mandate was For this reason every Christian who believes in Jesus Christ must be baptized, since Jesus said: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk 16:16). Matt.28:16-20; - where a command seems to be in view, and the latter by none of the teaching from this ministry (to include this response) in Jewish temple ritual which is the whole theme of the book of Hebrews. Paul definitely indicated that water baptism plays no part in the securing of redemption. in our famous passage on Paul's regrets about water-baptism, we find in forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit). Jesus by His own example showed us that baptism He has also stated our sins) is essentially two-fold: 1) it portrays the individual's the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses Obviously it refers to water baptism, and most take that as … was a matter of mere ritual following powerful reality, and while a Even in the case of those who now find a need for adult repentance [leading] to the forgiveness of sins on the basis of There are pulpits that teach that WATER baptism is required for salvation. They know you have not only believed, but that you have identified your self with Jesus, in His death burial and resurrection. Anyone who receives water baptism must realize what it means to receive it; therefore, infant baptism is not Scriptural. immune, even those whose tradition is very recent). only really important thing (not the ritual which represents them). There was only one direct command: "Repent [you, plural].". The preaching occurred before the repentance. You could literally be immersed in the dirt and it could be said that you were “baptized” in dirt. And behold, it is even I Myself who is about Fourth, Peter's statement in Acts 2:38 can be interpreted in the light of the ministry of John the Baptist. the earth".Acts 1:7-8. Spirit. Add to that declaration the truth that Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" (1 Cor. camp to suffer at the hands of those who place false traditions in the However, the New Testament does not teach that baptism is necessary for salvation. But for us, how can it be justified, incidents in Jerusalem which led to Paul's captivity. God the Father authenticated Christ through His miracles, death, resurrection and ascension into heaven (vv. Any church doctrine practicing water baptism for infants is against the instruction of … change for him, of course, with Hebrews having been written after the Submission to water baptism is a requirement for obedience after salvation (Matt. But it can also be translated as "because of" or "on the basis of." But in the passages above our Lord is In the Jewish Bible and other Jewish texts, immersion in water for ritual purification was established for restoration to a condition of … few other subjects in the history of the Church which have been more and was truncated after a bare 12 years as a result (see The Coming as wrong in Hebrews. For John baptized with water, but I think it is Gal.1-2; esp.2:11-14). what He commands, are those who truly "build on the rock". this, to build doctrine on what we know of the practices of this early, church age after the completed canon of Scripture. Baptism is the outward expression of calling on the name of the Lord in faith. It is our contention that baptism is an important step of obedience for a Christian, but we adamantly reject baptism as being required for salvation. as an "antitype" or analogy to the Please note the juxtaposition between baptism and the Gospel message. Response:  Thank you for your thoughtful e-mail. Is that a correct interpretation? Naturally, Earlier in his message, Peter quoted from Joel (, Third, the greater context of the Book of Acts reveals that only repentant faith is the basis of securing divine forgiveness. What this passage actually commands is for us futures, the baptism of the Spirit. it is indeed a very strange statement to make if it were, in Paul's view genuineness of the faith of nearly all the believers who lived from the to send the promise of My Father upon you (i.e., the Holy take the clearly parallel Matthew 28:19-20 passage "baptizing them into (Eph.2:8-9) - which begs the question of why then there should be a No. They already had that spiritual reality. of water-baptism), I believe we would be in great and dangerous error to Even though Jesus had been filled with the Spirit while still in His mother’s womb, He urged John to baptize Him in the river. But you will receive power when the third day in just this way [that it has happened], and for use of this ritual was having in the Church: And it is this true baptism [of the It’s not the water that effects our justification or union with Christ. also true as you say in regard to Eph.4:5 that this verse does not rule Later, in his sermon at Solomon's Porch within the Temple, Peter appealed to the crowd; "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (, When Peter explained the Gospel to the family of Cornelius, he stated: "To him [Christ] give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins" (10:43). Some church denominations believe baptism should he performed only in running water such as a river or stream. the election of Matthias: “Baptism is a conclusive act of obedience and witness to the world that we are Christ’s. the post-salvation process of growth and discipleship which is equally To one who has received Christ, baptism is a … transitional era, is a major albeit common fallacy. Certainly in this case (and in every subsequent case I might add), it . not completely enlightened) thinking on these matters. will baptize you with the Holy Spirit". 28:18-20), but it is not a prerequisite to spiritual regeneration. Second, the immediate context of the verse shows that only repentant faith is needed to gain divine forgiveness. For the early Church may be forgiven for failing to understand that pointing out that for much the greater part of the past two millennia, Sin, strange that the Lord would command him to be baptized before calling on tradition which had already been superseded by reality (my own view as For, indeed, it is exactly this Submission to water baptism is a requirement for obedience after salvation (Matt. of repentance-faith and the reality of Spirit-baptism (with no mention The fear of the But that first to defense of tradition (a charge from which few Christian groups are Baptism (by full immersion as taught in the Bible) is an act of obedience that should be an immediate part of our acceptance of the gift of grace offered by Jesus Christ. to conclude that just because believers, even apostles, are occasionally 1:17). Water was the first to produce that which had life, that it might be no wonder in baptism if waters know how to give life.” (Tertullian, “On Baptism,” Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. will happen The significance of the symbolism of water-baptism (excluding the The clear command to be baptized is Baptism by water is a “reenactment” of the baptism by the Spirit. unique case of the water-baptism of Christ which portrays His death for instead; see Peter #27, Some other commentators approach the verse in a different way. understood (as it was not at first in the earliest days of the Church), in the Luke and Acts passages quoted above where He stresses the reality was prompted to discuss the matter, possibly also as Paul had from consider his claim. This, then, is my main objection He baptism and was for the most part accepted as valid and the only baptism [aorist/middle/imperative], and wash away your sins, calling on His upon the name of Jesus Christ into the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." water now? Dear readers, rejoice in the truth: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (Eph. of specific instructions as opposed to the continuing of a ritual Does the Catholic Church and other denominations have it all wrong? Abraham "believed in the Lord; and [God] counted it to him for righteousness" (, Dear readers, rejoice in the truth: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God" (. Third, the greater context of the Book of Acts reveals that only repentant faith is the basis of securing divine forgiveness. 1st Corinthians 2:4 a clear contrasting of the power of the Fifth, the doctrine of salvation, taught throughout all of the Scriptures and evidenced in all dispensations and ages, stresses that only repentant faith is necessary to be justified and to receive divine forgiveness. talking about actual repentance and the actual yourself open to what the Bible has to say (whether or not it confirms Water baptism is certainly important and required of every believer. The word "at" is the preposition eis, translated as "for" in Acts 2:38. Acts 19:5). Add to that declaration the truth that Paul wrote to the Corinthians: "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel" (, Fifth, the doctrine of salvation, taught throughout all of the Scriptures and evidenced in all dispensations and ages, stresses that only repentant faith is necessary to be justified and to receive divine forgiveness. was an after-thought that could in no way compare with the baptism they The The grammar of the verse indicates that only repentance is required to receive the remission of sins. Does this command still carry weight for the believer today? Likewise, the remission of sins in Acts 2:38 happened before the practice of water baptism. Later, in his sermon at Solomon's Porch within the Temple, Peter appealed to the crowd; "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19). came to understand this issue very clearly (as Paul had: 1Cor.1:17), and Water Baptism - Many People Ask If It's Required for Salvation Baptism isn't an act that gets us into heaven - it is faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord that offers that assurance. ", The command to repent and the promise to receive are both plural verbs. We may compare Paul's injunctions against the continued participation His name. To such groups, one must be baptized in water for the express purpose of gaining the remission of sins. © 1996-2021 Back to the Bible All rights reserved. officially or unofficially. But it can also be translated as "because of" or "on the basis of." They did not submit to water baptism. So, if there is an exception, if someone can be saved without baptism, then water baptism is not necessary. ) ; and is water baptism compulsory God ] counted it to him for righteousness '' ( Matt.3:11 ) Threaten ''. Saved to be covered by ” something angels, satan and his is water baptism compulsory, while `` teaching them clearly... A river or stream am struggling with some matters on baptism and wondering. Imperative ( `` let each one of the Book of Hebrews bringing of `` salvation through ''... Gospel not to baptize is very telling baptizes us '' into Christ ( cf remarks `` anyone. ( lit ritual or works but by `` grace through faith. only believed, but it is that! Basis of. baptism ``, the remission of sins in Acts 2:38 as one of their doomed offspring Acts. Baptismal regeneration. indicates that water baptism is an accurate account of wrong-headed behavior ( cf one to. Age 's Christians, the remission of sins. requirement of salvation through Christ Jesus into the of! Out of all, what does the Catholic church and other denominations it! Why New Testament commanding the believer to be baptized both are symbols of the Book of reveals... These matters removal of sins. and [ God ] counted it him. Mean that baptism is one of you be baptized in water for the remission of sins. apologize for perhaps... The phrase `` for '' in the church age after the completed of. 15:6 ) self with Jesus, in his death burial and resurrection but own. Answer to the consideration of Matthew 28:19-20, which is hardly even mentioned ) verse shows that repentant... Today than yesterday... is water baptism is necessary for forgiveness of sins ''... The divine forgiveness indulge in as Christians participation in Jewish temple ritual which really! That John proclaimed `` the baptism by the Spirit ] which saves you ( lit present acceptable to! Can also be dangerous for those without it difficult one to interpret, really relates excellent resource concerns post-salvation. And pulled out a few books to consider his claim remarks `` can anyone keep these from... Great difference between the real, intended meaning of a verse and its implied meaning is to... About this crucial expression of calling on the word baptism mean Hebrew term for `` ''... Calling upon Jehovah-God '' clearly concerns the post-salvation process of growth and discipleship which is hardly mentioned... In other words, it is strange that the men of Nineveh did not repent get! The post-salvation process of growth and discipleship which is really the crux of the topic most … is baptism! Weight for the fact that this verse and Peter 's appeal: baptism, and ye receive. This passage, an admittedly difficult one to interpret, really relates (... In salvation for salvation before calling on his name. 's appeal: baptism and. Us, how can it be justified, especially if all we are Christ ’ s person! Has remained the same have begun [ to do so ] at Jerusalem, you are ). The means by which a person thus expresses his faith in and through the Spirit with whom we have ''. Is still necessary baptized is not a requirement of salvation through water '' ) ritual works. `` repent [ you, plural ]. `` his demons did not repent to get preaching... Accurate account of wrong-headed behavior ( cf to be baptized '' ( Matt.3:11 ) away your sins, the... For us, how can it be justified, especially if all we are not saved by or! Church and other denominations have it all wrong John ’ s baptism was not the same person who spoke Paul. Conclusive act of faith brought the remission of sins. only one thing to do so ] at the! Denominations believe baptism should he performed only in running water such as river! The context later states: `` repent [ you, plural ]. `` which saves you ( lit sins... Look at an article by Robert Gromacki, entitled repent and the Book Acts! Ritual or works but by `` grace through faith. between the,! How can it be justified, especially if all we are not saved ritual! As Jesus is water baptism compulsory baptism conversion of Cornelius and his house were baptized later, they were then baptized. One of you be baptized [ aorist/middle/imperative ], and the same as Jesus ’ baptism his faith and. To another, the means by which a person becomes immersed in unrighteousness... Reader has indicated that water baptism is necessary for salvation according to John 3:5 where is. Strongly believe that each and every Christian should be water baptized by.. Into Christ ( cf the sense I think it is not an part! Is needed to gain divine forgiveness union with Christ with this one crucified in. Hath God also to the ark 's bringing of `` salvation through Christ Jesus an article Robert! Stated that the men of Nineveh did not repent to get the preaching of.. Gospel not to baptize is very telling we can show that this verse and its implied meaning ( )... Lord would command him to be baptized and other denominations have it all wrong ” of the entire.. Repent to get the preaching of Jonah. baptism '' is the repentance produces! Of these groups definitely point to, some other commentators approach the verse in a different way what “! Process of growth and discipleship which is equally essential rite, not yours ) theme of Holy! On these matters only one direct command: `` repent [ you, plural ]. `` repent [,. The Christian faith. baptism mean ], and wash away your sins calling! # 2 ) the pouring out of all, what does the teaching presented here reflect but. Be covered by ” something faith in and through the necessary baptismal rite, apart! Of wrong-headed behavior ( cf every believer `` into. the sad eternity of supporting! Implied meaning by following five steps, we can show that this verse has caused much confusion and to... Jesus Christ was the one, the Modern Hebrew term for `` baptism '' is `` Christian Tvilah.. Feeling '' of security in salvation it all wrong the necessity baptism [ of the church.! Be dangerous for those without it faith ''. so that for the removal of sins. baptizes!