1. 1) Is baptism essential to salvation? 2) Or is baptism “an outward sign of inward grace”, obeyed to show that we have already been saved?  The answer to these questions focus on the purpose of baptism, and our eternal destiny will be determined by whether or not we have obeyed in the manner God has designed, Matthew 7:21. o Much confusion exists in the religious world about the purpose and place of baptism, but a careful consideration of what the Bible says on the subject will enable us to understand God’s will.

2. (Ephesians 4:5)

3. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16 (NKJV) Which of these statements correctly describes this verse? Belief + Baptism = Salvation Belief – Baptism = Salvation Baptism = Salvation – Belief

4. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16 (NKJV) Which of these statements correctly describes this verse? Belief + Baptism = Salvation Belief + Baptism = Salvation Belief – Baptism = Salvation Baptism = Salvation – Belief

5. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! Then Peter said to them, "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.” Acts 2:38 (NKJV) For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matt 26:28 (NKJV) Which of these statements correctly describes the purpose of Christ’s blood (Matthew 26:28)? His blood was shed in order to forgive sins. His blood was shed because sins had already been forgiven.

6. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! Then Peter said to them, "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.” Acts 2:38 (NKJV) For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matt 26:28 (NKJV) Which of these statements correctly describes the purpose of Christ’s blood (Matthew 26:28)? His blood was shed in order to forgive sins. His blood was shed because sins had already been forgiven.

7. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! Then Peter said to them, "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.” Acts 2:38 (NKJV) For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matt 26:28 (NKJV) Which of these statements correctly describes the purpose of Christ’s blood (Matthew 26:28)? His blood was shed in order to forgive sins. His blood was shed in order to forgive sins. His blood was shed because sins had already been forgiven.

8. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! and Then Peter said to them, "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.” Acts 2:38 (NKJV) For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matt 26:28 (NKJV) Which of these statements correctly describes the purpose of Christ’s blood (Matthew 26:28)? His blood was shed in order to forgive sins. His blood was shed in order to forgive sins. His blood was shed because sins had already been forgiven.

9. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:27 (NKJV) Which is accurate to say? One gets into a shirt when he puts in on. One puts on a shirt before he gets into it.

10. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:27 (NKJV) Which is accurate to say? One gets into a shirt when he puts in on. One gets into a shirt when he puts in on. One puts on a shirt before he gets into it.

11. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:27 (NKJV) For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 1 Cor 12:13 (NKJV) Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Romans 6:3 (NKJV)

12. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore 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 (NKJV) (Eliminate the one which you believe is error) We are baptized into His death. We are not baptized into His death.

13. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore 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 (NKJV) (Eliminate the one which you believe is error) We are baptized into His death. We are not baptized into His death.

14. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore 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 (NKJV) … buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. Col 2:12 (NKJV)

15. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' Acts 22:16 (NKJV) … and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, Rev 1:5 (NKJV)  These verses do not contradict each other. Instead they illustrate that baptism is essential because it is God’s plan wherein our sins are washed away by the blood of Christ.

16. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3:21 (NKJV) Which of these sentences do you believe? (Eliminate the erroneous statement) There is also an antitype which now saves us – baptism There is also an antitype which does not now save us – baptism

17. Is Baptism Essential to Salvation? You decide! There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3:21 (NKJV) Which of these sentences do you believe? (Eliminate the erroneous statement) There is also an antitype which now saves us – baptism There is also an antitype which does not now save us – baptism

18. Is Baptism a “Meritorious Work”? Salvation is by grace through faith, Ephesians 2:8-9. If salvation comes by “meritorious works” it would be deserved, and grace would not be necessary! Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. Romans 4:4 (NKJV) …not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5 (NKJV)

19. Is Baptism a “Meritorious Work”? If baptism is a work of faith, it is essential to salvation! Faith comes by hearing the word of God, Rom. 10:17. If God has commanded baptism, then walking “by faith” means we will obey, not as a meritorious deed, but as an act of obedient faith, 2 Cor. 5:7.

20. Is Baptism a “Meritorious Work”? The difference between a “work of man’s righteousness” and a “work of faith” is the SOURCE of the command. If God has commanded, we must obey the way He says. But to do so is a “work of faith”. We must obey the works which “God had prepared…” Eph. 2:10. One who walks by faith will be obedient to God, Heb. 11:7-8. Works of a meritorious nature are acts without God’s authority, Mk 7:6-8.

21. Is Baptism a “Meritorious Work”? Faith is a work of God, John 6:29 The source of faith is by hearing the word of God, Rom. 10:17. The expression of faith is by obedience, James 2:14-24. Romans opens and closes with the phrase, “obedience to the faith”, Rom. 1:5; 16:26. However, Romans does not teach salvation by faith “only”. Nothing “only” saves us – not grace “only”; nor faith “only”; nor works “only”! Saving faith must be obedient, Rom. 1:5; 6:17-18; 16:26. In this manner we are “saved by grace through faith”, Eph 2:8.

22. Is Baptism a “Meritorious Work”? Repentance is a work of faith, Matthew 3:8; Acts 17:30. I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:3 (NKJV) For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 2 Cor 7:10 (NKJV) Learning of the goodness of God leads to repentance, Rom. 2:4; 6:12-14. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, Titus 2:11-12 (NKJV)

23. Is Baptism a “Meritorious Work”? Confession also is a work of faith, Romans 10:9-10. Although confession is an outward act or work, it is done as obedient faith, Acts 8:35-38. In fact, believers who will not obey this work of faith are lost, John 12:42-43.

24. Is Baptism a “Meritorious Work”? Baptism is a work of faith! And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. Acts 10:48 (NKJV) For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:26-28 (NKJV) … buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. Col 2:12 (NKJV) There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3:21 (NKJV)

25. Baptism, along with confession, repentance, is a work of faith -- and therefore necessary! Why resist the teaching of the Bible on baptism? So many verses in the N.T. teach concerning water baptism, yet many denominational preachers would leave us to believe baptism is not important. Why is that? Could it be a lack of faith on their part? Is it because they cannot understand its importance because of human reasoning? Baptism alone will not save, but baptism as “the answer of a good conscience toward God” does “now save us”! (1Peter 3:21)