Is Baptism Required for Salvation?

Spontaneous Ponderings

Churches today have many different beliefs and practices when it comes to baptism. Some denominations practice infant baptism, whereas others practice a believer’s baptism. Some denominations sprinkle or pour, and others require full immersion. But there’s one other question that Christians disagree about when it comes to baptism: Is baptism required for salvation? Today, we are going to look at some verses or arguments related to this question.

Personally, I believe that baptism is not required for salvation, and I’ll give some reasons why I believe that based on Scripture. But I also don’t want to totally discount the other side, so we’ll look at some reasons why people believe that baptism is required for salvation based on Scripture. Then I’ll let you look at the evidence and decide for yourself what you believe the Bible says. I’d even encourage you to do your own research on both sides of the question.

Reasons Why Baptism Is Not Required for Salvation

1. Salvation is based on faith alone

This is the strongest reason I see that baptism is not required for salvation. The Bible tells us that salvation is based on faith alone, not on any works or deeds that we do. Baptism is an action, a work or deed. Although baptism can be used to symbolize our connection to Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, it is not in itself a means of salvation. Let’s look at some verses that tell us that salvation is through faith alone. I’ll let them speak for themselves.

Let me start with the very words of Jesus:

John 3:14-18: ¹⁴ “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, ¹⁵ that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” 

John 5:24: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.