Is baptism (in water) required for salvation? Some say "no" - they believe that faith is sufficient and baptism is unnecessary (even though most examples of conversion in the book of Acts include water baptism). What did Jesus say about it? "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:15-16, ESV) Which should we follow - human opinion or God's word? If someone tells you "I believe the sky is green" but you can clearly see that it's blue, does that mean the sky is green? No, it just means they're wrong. So if someone believes baptism is unnecessary and that belief is contrary to the facts (God's word), are they correct in their belief? No. Baptism is required for salvation - not based on human opinion but rather on God's word.
Another misconception about baptism: it's required for salvation but it's just a formality. The six major steps for becoming a Christian are (a) hearing the gospel - Romans 10:17 (b) believing it - Mark 16:16 (c) repenting of your sins - Acts 17:30 (d) confessing your faith that Jesus is the son of God - Matthew 10:32-33 (e) baptism - Acts 2:38 and (f) the hardest part: making an honest effort to live a Christian life. Some people believe that salvation occurs after step (d) confessing your faith and baptism (though required) is merely a formality. They cite Acts 2:38 to support their argument, even though that particular verse is the one that most clearly refutes their position. Acts 2:38 (ESV): "And Peter said to them, "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." This verse seems clear: baptism is for the forgiveness of sins, and you're not saved until your sins have been forgiven, so salvation comes after step (e) baptism, right? Not according to those who believe that baptism is just a formality. They believe the Greek word "eis" which is translated as "for" in Acts 2:38 really means "because of". Therefore, they say that baptism is "because of" the remission of sins (meaning that your sins have already been forgiven before you are baptized) rather than "for" the remission of sins. That's the problem with their argument. The Greek word "eis" is typically translated in the Bible as "into, unto, to, toward, for". Using any of these words for "eis" in Acts 2:38 doesn't support their view that baptism is "because of" the remission of sins. In this case, "for" really means "for". Baptism is not a formality; it's for the remission of sins, so your salvation occurs when you have been baptized and not before. If you're still not convinced, please read 1 Peter 3:21.
Finally, what exactly is water baptism? Is it sprinkling or immersion? In Romans 6:3-5 (NAS), Paul tells us "Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection." Surely "buried with Him through baptism" and "united with Him in the likeness of His death" imply full immersion. When you bury someone, you don't sprinkle them with a little dirt or leave part of their body sticking out of the ground - they are completely covered with dirt. (Plus the Greek word "baptizo" that is translated as baptize means to immerse or submerge.) I'm not trying to offend anyone, but full immersion is the only baptism that can be logically inferred from the Bible. If this is contrary to popular opinion or tradition in some churches, consider my previous question: which should we follow - human opinion or God's word? Baptism was commanded by the Lord for the remission of sins; therefore it has eternal consequences and should not be taken lightly.
