Baptism & Salvation

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (NKJV) John 3:5

Jesus’ statement can be difficult to understand; therefore, we want to stop here and discuss this verse for a little while before we go on. We want to discover what Jesus meant. Imagine for a moment that you are Nicodemus. If Nicodemus had been watching John the Baptist and Jesus for a while, what do you think he would have seen them doing? First, he would have seen Jesus doing miracles and performing signs. Second, he would have watched Jesus talking with people and baptizing people as they repented of their sins. Those are the things that have been described to us. John 2:1-12, 23 told us that Jesus did miracles and signs. We know from John 3:22-23 and 4:1-2 that both John and Jesus were baptizing people. Both of them had baptized and taught others, but only Jesus performed miracles and did signs.

The baptism of John and Jesus was about repentance - not salvation. Their baptism was one of preparation and not about salvation. So when Jesus referred to water in verse 5, what do you think Nicodemus would have thought about? As we have already said, we know from John 3:22-23 and 4:1-2 that both John and Jesus were baptizing people. But if we look closely at John 3:25-26, we discover that their baptism is referred to as purification. The Jewish ritual of baptism was a symbolic act of purification. It did nothing for the one being baptized. It was strictly a symbolic act that revealed one’s heart. Nicodemus would have understood that the baptisms of John and Jesus were symbolic acts of purification - an indication that the one being baptized was repenting of his sins.

We must remember that Christian baptism did not come about until after Jesus returned to heaven. John and Jesus were not practicing Christian baptism. During their ministry, baptism was symbolic of repentance. Nicodemus would have understood this and would have been reminded of Ezekiel 36:25-27 where “water” and “Spirit” are used together. Water referred to repentance. Baptism does not save. Baptism does not change one’s life. The Spirit changes a life.

Baptism was an outward act of an inner heart-felt repentance. When we come to Jesus, our sins are washed away (Isa. 1:18; 3:5) and at the same time we are given His Holy Spirit.

Notice John 3:6-8 indicates that one does not become spiritual by any human act, not by washing, not by physical birth, nor by anyone you know. Jesus’ message to Nicodemus is that he must be spiritually born by the Holy Spirit. If water baptism is so important, why did Jesus not include the act of physical baptism in John 3:8 and in John 3:16? Why did Jesus only refer to the Holy Spirit? Why is baptism left out of so many New Testament passages?

Acts 2:38. Our third passage occurs on the day of Pentecost. Peter’s sermon starts at verse 14. In verse 21, Peter tells them what they must do to be forgiven from their sins, “Call on the name of the Lord . . .” In verses 22-24 Peter reminds them of the miracles, wonders and signs that Jesus had performed and then the fact that they had killed him anyway. Peter then declares that Jesus returned to life just as King David had predicted. Then the people asked, “What shall we do?” Peter responds with these words,

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 (NKJV). Acts 2:38

Peter had already told them what was necessary for salvation in verse 21. Now he adds that they need to repent from their sins and demonstrate their commitment to turn from sin by being baptized.

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 (NKJV). Rom 6:4

It is a discussion about “Should we continue sinning?” The Holy Spirit gives us a better understanding of the meaning of baptism. It is a symbol of our dying along with Jesus and then returning to life just as Jesus did. So when a Christian is immersed into water, it symbolizes that he/she has died to sin. Notice that baptism is always connected to cleansing from sin. Then when we come up out of the water, it is symbolic of our new life.