IS BAPTISM NECESSARY IN ORDER TO BE SAVED?
This question is often asked: do we need baptism? Sadly, many persons who answer this question as teachers do so lacking understanding of the true meaning of baptism to a new covenant believer. However, we are called to follow the Messiah (1 John 2:6), and what did he say?
Mar 16:15-6 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
That verse cuts like a knife!
It couldn’t be any clearer that we need to be baptized to have access to salvation..
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
What other answer do we want when we ask the question, “Should we be baptized?” when the Messiah told us so clearly.
Indeed baptism (water baptism to be specific) is absolutely essential to our salvation as we shall continue to see.
BAPTISM IS ESSENTIAL TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS
For more proof of its necessity, let us stay with the Messiah FOR MORE CLARITY:
Mat 3:13-15 Then cometh Yehoshua-Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
And Yehoshua answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
So John the Immerser was convinced that he was not qualified to water baptize the Messiah. However, the Messiah told him that it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness. That means, all righteousness CANNOT BE FULFILLED without water baptism, and that is underlined through what happened next:
Mat 3:16-17 And Yehoshua, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of YEHOVAH descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
As we can see, the supernatural power of the Most High was unleashed when the Messiah was water baptized. Likewise, we are given the promise in Acts 2:38 that we too will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yehoshua HaMashiach for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
WHY BAPTISM?
So let’s move on to look at the importance of baptism. Comparing the saving of Noah and his family in the ark through water (a similitude to Moses under the cloud and in the sea), the Apostle Peter said:
1Pe 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 YEHOVAH,) by the resurrection of Yehoshua HaMashiach:
That is simply why we need baptism! Baptism is a spiritual “surgery” that takes place on us through the operation of the Most High, resulting in the gift of the Holy Spirit. Let me explain.
NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND THE HOUSE OF JUDAH
The Most High prophesied a new covenant for his people.
Jer 31:31-32 Behold, the days come, saith YEHOVAH, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith YEHOVAH:
This is covenant through Messiah Yehoshua, entails the following:
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith YEHOVAH, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people.
Notice very, very carefully, that he said I will put my law in their inward part. That means, in our covenant, HE WILL be the one doing the “spiritual, surgical operation.”
Eze 36:25-27 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
See how many times he stated “will I,” or “I will?”
Again we see, he is the one who will be doing the operation: it is not of ourselves (lest we should boast – Ephesians 2:8-9)!
THE SALVATION PROCESS
So we are not justified by works of the law, but by faith, which leads us to good works.
But how does this process work? When we are convicted of sin, we need to give ourselves up to the Most High, accepting that we cannot save ourselves. We accept that we need his help. Let’s see the process:
CONVICTED OF SIN
What do we do when we are convicted of sin?
Act 2:37 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?
REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED
Peter gave instructions on how to allow the Most High to transform us through this response to the men of Israel:
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yehoshua HaMashiach for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Repentance and baptism in the name of Yehoshua HaMashiach gives us a gift, which is the Holy Spirit. This operation is done by the Most High, triggered by our faith.
This is how he makes the new covenant with us, and how he gives us a new heart. As a result, this is how baptism results in our getting a good conscience:
1Pe 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 YEHOVAH,) by the resurrection of Yehoshua HaMashiach:
BAPTISM AND RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD
Speaking of the resurrection of the dead, many believers do not know that our major aim as believers is to attain unto the resurrection of the dead. This is because if we partake in the first resurrection, then we will not die the second death, and hence have eternal life:
Rev_20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of YEHOVAH and of Messiah, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Indeed, the Apostle Sha’ul showed us how important it is, when he showed us all he was willing to give up in order to partake in the first resurrection:
Php 3:5-8 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Messiah.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Messiah Yehoshua my Master: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Messiah,
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
So the big question is, what does baptism have to do with the resurrection of the dead?
Rom 6:3-6 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yehoshua HaMashiach were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Got it?
Baptism is absolutely essential to achieve unto the resurrection of the dead! Baptism is absolutely essential in preventing us from being under the power of the second death! Need confirmation? Let’s go:
Col 2:11-12 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 Messiah:
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of YEHOVAH, who hath raised him from the dead.
Got it? Baptism is absolutely essential! Don’t let any one, any camp or any religious denomination fool you.
WATER ESSENTIAL FOR BAPTISM
The very meaning of baptize tells us that water is absolutely essential for baptism.
G907
βαπτίζω
baptizō
bap-tid’-zo
From a derivative of G911; to make whelmed (that is, fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: – baptist, baptize, wash.
Total KJV occurrences: 80
The root word means to make fully wet. Indeed, John the Baptist is called John the Immerser, which speaks of baptism being immersion into water. So much for IUIC’s baptism being “the word.”
However, if you’re not convinced that water is absolutely necessary, then let’s get the word:
THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH AND WATER BAPTISM
The account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch shows us the process of baptism.
First, let’s see the conviction of the eunuch as Philip explains the Messiah Yehoshua to him:
Act 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Yehoshua.
Then the conviction and the desire of the eunuch for baptism. Of course, this account shows the importance of water.
Act 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
So water is there, what prevented him from being baptized? Belief.
For baptism, he needed water, plus his belief.
Act 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Yehoshua HaMashiach is the Son of YEHOVAH.
So they went into the water, where he was baptized:
Act 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.
THE IMPORTANCE OF YEHOSHUA’S NAME
Now let us strike another blow to those who reject baptism. If baptism is the word only, how do you account for this incident recorded in Acts 19?
Act 19:1-3 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit.
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
They were baptized with John’s baptism of repentance, but were not baptized in the name of Yehoshua HaMashiach!
Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Messiah Yehoshua.
But one thing was missing for them to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…
Act 19:5-6 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Master Yehoshua.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
That is plainly and clearly water baptism in the name of Yehoshua HaMashiach being absolutely essential for us to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. When they were baptized in his name, they spake in tongues and prophesied, which shows a spiritual transformation coming from the Most High.
THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT NEEDED TO BEAR WITNESS
And how important is it to receive the Holy Spirit?
1Jn_5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Yehoshua HaMashiach; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of YEHOVAH:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of YEHOVAH, and joint-heirs with Messiah; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
So what if we don’t have the Holy Spirit?
Rom_8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of YEHOVAH dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah, he is none of his.
CONCLUSION: WATER BAPTISM IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR ETERNAL LIFE!
So water baptism is absolutely essential for us as believers. Hence, the rejection of baptism by some religious groups is spiritual suicide. Over-spritualizing simple verses as well as taking verses out of context, can lead us to error.
This is particularly dangerous in a church-like organisation such as a 501C3 church, which means it is linked to the state: linked to Babylon. Churches are false institutions, and the Most High will not give all his truth to a Babylonian 501C3 church.
501C3 Church The classification 501(c)(3) is a tax exempt status for religious or charitable organizations in the United States. Any religious organization worldwide that is recognized as such by the national government inevitably comes under the control of that government. It is then an arm of the state and must comply with state policy or lose the desired recognition.
That aside, water baptism is essential to attain unto the resurrection of the dead, which is the most important goal of us as believers. Through baptism, the Most High fulfills his promise of giving us a new spirit and a new heart that will cause us to obey him and therefore attain unto the first resurrection.
Consequently, without baptism, we have rejected the promise of the Father and are walking in our own righteousness, which is of the law:
Php 3:8-9 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Messiah Yehoshua my Master: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Messiah,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Messiah, the righteousness which is of YEHOVAH by faith:
On the other hand, through baptism, we are able to partake of his resurrection:
Rom_6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Without baptism, we cannot attain unto the resurrection of the dead, and therefore have NO ACCESS to eternal life.
So what about you? Have you been baptized in the name of Yehoshua HaMashiach? If not, I have only one advice for you:
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yehoshua HaMashiach for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Don’t reject the Messiah: do not reject baptism and hence choose death! Lay hold on eternal life.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
BY justaword.org