2. Baptism Is Not Essential To Salvation (2) Objections To Baptism
Myths About The Bible
Baptism Is Not Essential To Salvation (2)
Objections To Baptism

3. “Although not the means of salvation or necessary to its attainment, its benefits are great and manifold” (Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. III, p. 585)

4. “The omission of baptized with ‘disbelieveth’ would seem to show that Jesus does not make baptism essential to salvation. Condemnation rests on disbelief, not on baptism. So salvation rests on belief. Baptism is merely the means of the new life, not the means of securing it.” (Archibald Thomas Robertson [on Mark 16:16}, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol. I, p. 405)

5. “This shows that for Luke at least, and probably also for Peter, while baptism with water was the expected symbol for conversion, it was not an indispensable criterion for salvation” (Richard Longenecker {on Acts 2:38}, Acts, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 9, p. 284)

6. “Hearing and believing the gospel, unlike baptism, is essential to salvation (Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21; Eph. 1:13)” (The English Standard Version Study Bible (Crossway Bible) with notes on 1 Corinthians by Frank S. Thielman {on 1 Corinthians 1:17})

7. Particular Objections Refuted
The thief on the cross
Assured of salvation by Jesus, yet no evidence of baptism (Lk. 23:43)
Thief never commanded by Jesus to be baptized. Great commission came after Jesus arose (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16)
Thief lived under the Old Testament which was in effect until Jesus’ death (Col. 2:14)

8. Baptism is not part of the gospel
Notice 1 Corinthians 1:17
An extreme and glaring case of taking a passage out of context (see 1 Cor. 1:10-17)

9. Paul was discussing the partyism at Corinth & wanted no association with it
Contentions were apparently connected to baptism (vv )
Paul HAD baptized a few at Corinth (vv )
The fact of the baptizer did not mean they were converted to him and then formed a party in contradistinction to others who were baptized by someone else
Baptism is an end result OF the gospel, not separate from it

10. What had happened at Corinth
Arrival in Corinth (Acts 18:1)
Preached in Corinth (Acts 18:4-5)
Many heard (the gospel), believed (the gospel), and were baptized (Acts 18:8)

11. Paul saved on the road to Damascus before he was baptized
Had a spiritual experience and evidenced a changed life
Where does it say he was saved on the road to Damascus?
If saved on the road:
Ananias did not know it (Acts 22:16)
The Lord did not know it for He sent Ananias (Acts 9:11)
Paul was saved, but still in his sins (Acts 22:16)

12. Not saved by works…baptism is a work
Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly shows that we are not saved by works
Then we are not saved by faith for faith is a work (Jn. 6:29)
There are works related to salvation (James 2:24)
Not works of men
Works authorized by the authority of God (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38)

13. We are saved by the blood of Christ, not baptism
The blood of Christ does save (Rom. 5:9)
Blood of Christ shed for remission of sins (Matt. 26:28). This makes forgiveness a possibility
Baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). This makes forgiveness a reality