Salvation And Baptism

Every month or so, it is my turn to choose a topic for my mens bible group that meets every friday morning at Honkers on Day Rd. at 6:00 a.m. This week is my turn to choose the topic. So here it is:

A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from someone that included a link to a blog that they wanted me to check out. Not sure why, but they sent it. Anyway, there seemed to be a couple of re-occurring themes by the author’s blog posts. One of those themes was about Salvation and Baptism, mostly about the Baptism portion. So, it got me thinking about Salvation and Baptism, and since I needed a topic of discussion I decided to go with it.

Matthew 3:13-15 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" 15Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented.

1. If Jesus was without sin, did he have to be baptized? Why or Why Not?


Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast

Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved

Acts 2:36-38 36"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 37When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 1:18-19 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Luke 23:40-43 40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[f]" 43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Mark 16:15-16 15He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.


2. Does being baptized complete salvation, Why or Why Not? See especially the Mark 16 scripture and the Luke Scripture. The thief was not baptized. Is this a contradiction? Did the thief just get a “one time pass”? If baptism is a requirement, then does that mean God needs our help for us to be saved?



3 Does it matter if you are sprinkled, immersed or have water poured over your head in order to be baptized?


Galations 5:4 You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Hebrews 6:4-6 4It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because[b]to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

4 Can you lose your salvation? If so, How? If so, can it be regained?


5. What do you feel that salvation looks like?