Is baptism for the saved or unsaved?
Introduction. Our question has been the topic of no small amount of discussion in the religious world. However, the scriptures are plain in their teaching regarding the purpose of water baptism. By establishing the purpose, we can determine if baptism is for the saved or unsaved.
Water baptism is for the remission of sin. Peter commanded unsaved individuals to, "...Repent, and be baptized every one of you...for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2: 37,38). Some contend that "for" in this verse means "because of." However, the context shows baptism (preceded by repentance) was in the direction or for the purpose of remission of sin (vss. 14-47). Unsaved Saul was told to "...arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins..." (Acts 22: 16).
Baptism puts one into Christ. "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ," Paul told the Galatians (3: 27). To the Romans Paul wrote, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" (Rom. 6: 3,4). Salvation is in Christ (2 Tim. 2: 10). Outside of Christ (no baptism) is condemnation (Rom. 8: 1).
In baptism one officially puts off the old man and puts on the new man. This is taught in Romans 6: 4-9. Hence, one is a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5: 17). Again, one is baptized into this body, relationship, or state (1 Cor. 12: 13, cf. Eph. 1.22,23, 1 Cor. 1: 10-13).
The Lord placed baptism as one of the conditions to salvation. He said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." (Mk. 16: 16). Of course, in order to be a candidate for baptism, one must have believed (Acts 2: 36), repented (Acts 2:38), and confessed Christ's deity (Rom. 10: 9,10). Notwithstanding, it is in water baptism that their initial coming to God is consummated, according to the scriptures.
Water baptism is for the remission of sin. Peter commanded unsaved individuals to, "...Repent, and be baptized every one of you...for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2: 37,38). Some contend that "for" in this verse means "because of." However, the context shows baptism (preceded by repentance) was in the direction or for the purpose of remission of sin (vss. 14-47). Unsaved Saul was told to "...arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins..." (Acts 22: 16).
Baptism puts one into Christ. "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ," Paul told the Galatians (3: 27). To the Romans Paul wrote, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" (Rom. 6: 3,4). Salvation is in Christ (2 Tim. 2: 10). Outside of Christ (no baptism) is condemnation (Rom. 8: 1).
In baptism one officially puts off the old man and puts on the new man. This is taught in Romans 6: 4-9. Hence, one is a new creature in Christ (2 Cor. 5: 17). Again, one is baptized into this body, relationship, or state (1 Cor. 12: 13, cf. Eph. 1.22,23, 1 Cor. 1: 10-13).
The Lord placed baptism as one of the conditions to salvation. He said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..." (Mk. 16: 16). Of course, in order to be a candidate for baptism, one must have believed (Acts 2: 36), repented (Acts 2:38), and confessed Christ's deity (Rom. 10: 9,10). Notwithstanding, it is in water baptism that their initial coming to God is consummated, according to the scriptures.