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is baptism essential to salvation

Yes, baptism is essential to salvation according to New Testament scripture. Jesus and the apostles consistently presented baptism as a necessary component of the plan of salvation.

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Answer

The New Testament clearly teaches that baptism is essential to salvation. Jesus commanded, 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned' (Mark 16:16). On Pentecost, when convicted sinners asked what to do, Peter replied, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins' (Acts 2:38). Paul taught that in baptism we are 'buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life' (Romans 6:3-4). Ananias told Paul, 'arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord' (Acts 22:16). Peter wrote that 'baptism doth also now save us' (1 Peter 3:21). The historical understanding of the church confirms this: 'For most of the 2,000 years of the Christian Era, the "washing of regeneration" has been readily acknowledged as an allusion to water baptism. What's more, the vast majority of Christendom did not place baptism in conflict with salvation' [2]. Baptism is not merely symbolic but is the point at which sins are remitted and salvation is received.

Scripture references

Romans 10:9-10 Romans 1:16-17 Hebrews 4:15 Acts 4:12 Romans 8:3 1 Samuel 1:3 Isaiah 53:1 John 12:37-38 John 3:36 Romans 1:5 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 1 Peter 4:17-18 Proverbs 11:31 Romans 6:17-18 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 Romans 6:3-4 Isaiah 28:16 Mark 16:15-16 Romans 9:32-33 Psalm 119:160 2 Timothy 2:15 Matthew 1:1 Romans 3:23 John 12:42-43 Luke 24:47 Mark 16:16 Acts 2:37-38 Acts 16:30-31 Acts 9:4-6 Acts 9:8-11 Romans 10:14-15 Acts 22:16 Acts 2:21 Joel 2:32 Acts 2:37 Acts 2:38 Romans 10:13 Matthew 7:21 Romans 10:16 Romans 10:17 Romans 6:2 1 John 1:5-10 John 3:16 Ephesians 2:8-9 Romans 15:25-26 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 Acts 24:17 Acts 20:1-3 Romans 16:1-2 1 Corinthians 1:14 Romans 7:12 Romans 2:5 2 Peter 3:14-17 2 Timothy 3:16-17 2 Peter 1:20-21 1 Timothy 6:12-13 Genesis 12:8 Acts 9:14 1 Corinthians 1:2 Titus 3:3-8 Ephesians 5:26 Hebrews 10:22 Titus 3:5 1 Corinthians 6:11 John 3:5 1 Corinthians 12:13 John 3:3-7 2 Corinthians 4:7 Acts 3:19 Romans 3:28 Ephesians 2:9 Acts 10:35 Acts 2:40 1 John 3:7 John 6:29 Galatians 5:6 Philippians 2:12 1 Thessalonians 1:3 James 2:22 Acts 26:20 John 13:10 Acts 9:37 Acts 16:33 2 Peter 2:22 Revelation 1:5

Sources

Romans 10:9-10: Going Beyond Salvation Slogans It is quite common in religious discussions—especially with those in various denominations within Christendom—to hear someone say, “All you have to do to be saved is accept Jesus into your heart,” or, “Just say the sinner’s prayer and y… https://apologeticspress.org/romans-109-10-going-beyond-salvation-slogans/

Titus 3:5 and the Washing of Regeneration For most of the 2,000 years of the Christian Era, the “washing of regeneration” has been readily acknowledged as an allusion to water baptism. What’s more, the vast majority of Christendom did not place baptism in conflict with salvatio… https://apologeticspress.org/titus-3-and-the-washing-of-regeneration/

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