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Baptism Saves Us Not

By Joel Mark Ellis

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (1 Peter 3:21 KJV)

What role does baptism play in the salvation of a sinner? The testimony of scripture is clear. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mk. 16:16). In Acts 2:38, Peter said, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Paul wrote that “as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death,” and that “we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-4). Paul also emphasized the connection between baptism and becoming part of Christ in his letters to the churches of Corinth and Galatia (1Co. 12:13; Ga. 3:26-27).

Perhaps no statement of scripture on the purpose is baptism is any clearer than Peter’s affirmation in 1 Peter 3:21.Nevertheless, nearly every Protestant denomination stands in opposition to this simple declaration by one of the Lord’s apostles. Ask your pastor, read your church’s creed or statement of faith, or simply observe what happens at the conclusion of most denominational services. Men and women are not being told to “repent and be baptized…for the remission of sins.” They are hearing an invitation to pray the sinner’s prayer and ask Jesus into their heart.

The position of most denominational churches is “baptism doth also now save us not.” That may be a direct quotation of scripture, but it is a partial quotation that misrepresents the meaning of the original text. Peter did not teach, “Baptism doth also now save us not.” The apostle, inspired by the Holy Spirit of God, wrote that “baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” (1 Peter 3:21 KJV).

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