1. If Baptism Is Not Necessary…

2. Mark 16:15-16
“15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned”

3. Introduction This commandment of Christ is a most hated command
Denominational doctrines deny the necessity of baptism for the remission of sins
Numerous hours have been spent debating this subject
We are concerned with what the Bible teaches, not man’s doctrines, creeds, manuals or theological concepts
Ask these questions to those your encounter as you try to teach them the gospel

4. Why did the Eunuch stop the chariot?
“And he commanded the chariot to stand still” - Acts 8:38
After Philip “…preached unto him Jesus” - vs. 35
He expounded upon the words of the prophet Isaiah - vs. 34
After he saw water & desired to be baptized - vs. 36
After he confessed Christ before Philip - vs. 37
Both went “down into the water” & Philip baptized him - vs. 38
Baptism is a burial - Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:10-12
Requires “much water” - John 3:23
If Baptism is Not Necessary
Acts 8:38 - And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Acts 8: READ
Rom. 6:3-5 - Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? {were: or, are} 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Col. 2: And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 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.
Jn. 3: After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.

5. Why did Jesus Make it a Condition of Salvation?
He said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” - Mark 16:15, 16
Jesus did NOT say:
“He that believeth and is NOT baptized shall be saved”
“He that believeth shall be saved whether he is baptized or NOT”
One must HEAR and DO to be judged as a wise person
Matthew 7:24-27; James 1:22-25
Belief + Baptism = Salvation
If Baptism is Not Necessary
Mk. 16: And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Matt. 7: Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Jas. 2: But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

6. Why did Peter Teach That It Was For The Remission Of Sins?
On Pentecost Peter Preached Jesus Is Lord and Christ
Acts 2:36
His hearers were pricked in the heart and asked what they had to do - Acts 2:37-38
Peter Preached Repentance and Conversion - Acts 3:19
If, repentance and being converted is necessary to blot out sins
Then, repentance and baptism is necessary for (unto) the remission of sins according to Acts 2:38
If Baptism is Not Necessary
Acts 2: Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, 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 Ghost.
Acts 3:19 - "Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,“

7. Why Was Saul Told To “Arise And Be Baptized And Wash Away Thy Sins”?
Ananias Was Sent To Saul in Damascus Who Was a Sinful, Penitent, Praying Man - Acts 9:1-20
Paul Recalls His Conversion - Acts 22:3-16
Paul told by Ananias, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” - vs. 16
Were Saul’s sins already washed away because a light from heaven shined around him, he heard a voice speaking to him, he saw a vision and he prayed? - Acts 9:3-4, 12
No, He was told what he “must do” - cf. Acts 9:6
If Baptism is Not Necessary
Acts 9: READ
Acts 9:6 - And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
Vs And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
Acts 22: READ COMMENT
Vs And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Acts 9:3-4, And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
It will not help to say this washing was symbolic. One might as well argue that the arising was symbolic rather than real, or that the baptism was symbolic rather than actual, or that the calling on the Lord was only symbolic rather than genuine calling, as to contend that the washing away of sins was only a symbolic portrayal. The language of Ananias clearly implies that Saul was still a sinner until he was baptized.

8. Why did Paul Regard It as a Prerequisite for the New Life?
Paul Taught Baptism Enables One To Walk in “Newness Of Life” - Romans 6:3-4
Baptism stands between the sinner and all spiritual blessings which are “in Christ” - Ephesians 1:3
Baptism puts on “into Christ” - Galatians 3:26-27
Baptism puts one into the death of the Lord where the benefits of His shed blood are received - Romans 6:3-4
“Newness of Life” Always Comes AFTER Baptism
The false theory of salvation occurring “before and without water baptism” cannot be proven by scripture
If Baptism is Not Necessary
Rom. 6: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? {were: or, are} 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Eph. 1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Gal. 3:26 - For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

9. Why Does The Bible Say That It Saves?
Peter Proclaimed Baptism Saves Us Now - 1 Peter 3:21
Eight souls save “by water” in Noah’s day - 1 Peter 3:20
As water saved eight souls in the ark, baptism “NOW” saves us
Being baptized is “the answer of a good conscience toward God” and one is “saved by the resurrection of Jesus Christ”
Many Argue that Baptism Does NOT Save Us
Such false teaching is opposed by the apostle Peter
Which do you accept, the teaching of the Bible, or the teaching of fallible men?
If Baptism is Not Necessary
1 Pet. 3: Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 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:

10. Salvation is Not Possible, BEFORE and WITHOUT Water Baptism!
CONCLUSION
Baptism Always Comes BEFORE Salvation
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” - Mark 16:16
“Repent, and be baptized…for the remission of sins” - Acts 2:38
“…we are buried with him by baptism into death…so we also should walk in newness of life” - Romans 6:4
“…arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins…” Acts 22:16
“…baptism doth also now save us…” - 1 Peter 3:21
Salvation is Not Possible, BEFORE and WITHOUT Water Baptism!
Baptism is Necessary
Mk 16:16 - “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved”
Acts 2:38 - “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins”
Rom. 6:4 - Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Acts 22:16 - And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
1 Peter 3:21 - 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

11. “…baptism doth also now save us…” 1 Peter 3:21
Alien sinners must…
Hear the Gospel – Romans 10:17
Believe – John 8:34
Repent – Acts 17:30
Confess Christ – Matthew 10:34
Be baptized in water to be saved – 1 Peter 3:21
An erring child of God must…
Repent and Pray for Forgiveness – 1 John 1:7-9
Christians must live “faithful unto death”
Revelation 2:10
“…baptism doth also now save us…” 1 Peter 3:21
1 Pet. 3:21 - 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:
Rom. 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Jn. 8:34 - I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Acts. 17: And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Matt. 10:34 - Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
1 Jn. 1:7-9 - But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Rev. 2:10 - Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.