Is Baptism essential to being saved?

Today, many beliefs teach a doctrine that baptism is not necessary as part of a persons salvation. Some will teach that it is only a work and that we are not saved by works. Read the study on works. In this study, we are going to determine if we are to follow the doctrines of man or the doctrines of the Bible, the inspired word of God. The Gnostics taught that baptism was not a necessary part of salvation. The Bible teaches very clearly that one is not saved unless they are baptized, into the likeness of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, by immersion. Not with the pouring of, or sprinkling with water. Many teach that being born of water means your first birth was in the womb. Well, by that teaching, we are all half saved or half born again on the day we are born in flesh.

We are told in scripture, that there is only one baptism. Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism. This is the only baptism that is pleasing and good in God's sight.

The word "baptism," comes from the Greek word "baptisma," and the early english "baptisme." This is defined as "immerse." It does not mean to sprinkle or pour. In the Vines Expository Dictionary defines baptism as "consisting of the process of immersion, submersion and emergence." So this means that to be baptized, is to be submerged under water and then brought back up out of the water.

No where in the Bible does it speak of sprinkling nor of pouring. No where does it speak of baptism only being needed for a short time. These are not God ordained methods. Scripture tells us that Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, to day and forever. This also means that His words are the same as yesterday, to day and forever. If you teach any doctrine other than that which is given in scripture, or deny that it is for today, you are calling Christ a liar! If you teach any doctrine other than that which is given in scripture, you are a liar and the truth is not in you. You are apostate! Which doctrine will you follow? The doctrines of men, or, the changeless doctrine of Christ. Read Hebrews 13:8

Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things
which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by
joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore
if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ord-
inances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and
doctrines of men?

Here is an example of a man-made doctrine: Baptism, therefore, is an act of obedience, and as such brings the candidate into a more intimate
and exclusive fellowhip with his Lord; but it possesses no power in itself to remit (no remission) sin, to change the heart, or to sanctify the spirit.
(Hisox, op.cit., pg. 88) From the "Hisox Guide for Baptist Churches" (No scripture is used to support this doctrine!)

If baptism (by immersion) is not done in the manner, in the name, and for the purpose as stated in scripture, then it is not the ONE baptsm of the New testament of Jesus Christ and is therefore, invalid! You might as well take a bar of soap with you. All you are doing is taking a bath!

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be batized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the REMISSION of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:40,41 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, SAVE yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received
his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about
three thousand souls.

Mark 16:16 HE THAT BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED; but he that believe not shall be damned.

1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism does also now SAVE us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and WASH away
thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be BORN OF WATER and of Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Romans 6:3-6 Know ye not, that so many of as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death. Therefore we are buried with him by baptized 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. For if we have been planted
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.

Galatians 3:26,27 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For
as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have PUT ON CHRIST

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Romans 6:3-6 Know ye not, that so many of as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death. Therefore we are buried with him by baptized 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 the newness of life. For if we have been planted
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.

Mark 16:16 HE THAT BELIEVES AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED; but he that believe not shall be damned.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN OF WATER and of Spirit, HE CANNOT ENTER into the kingdom of God.

Acts 2:38, Then Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 8:16 For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."

Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain
days.

Acts 19:4,5 Then said Paul, "John verily (truthfully) baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people,
that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Galatians 3:26,27 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized
into Christ have put on Christ.

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God,
who hath rasied him from the dead.

Romans 6:3,4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Your brother in Christ

David

The manner of baptism in doctrine of truth is by immersion and in Jesus name. No where are we taught that babies are to be baptized.
No where are we taught baptism in substitution (the dead). No where is it taught that it is by sprinkling or pouring. No where in scripture are we taught to be baptized as a fal-der-all ceremony, for becoming a member of any denominational church. No where are we taught
that baptism is not necessary for salvation. These are all man-made doctrines, with no truth in them.

Watch out for those who take scripture out of context. They will tell you that being baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, is no different than being baptized in the wonderful name of Jesus! They will use a circular argument to uphold
their doctrine. This doctrine smacks of the Luciferian statement; "you shall not surely die!" It is rebellion and this is witch-craft!
Why do I say this? Because there is some truth, then the truth is twisted, to make it sound like something else. You see, God told
Adam and Eve that if they ate of the tree, they would surely die. God was speaking of spiritual death! For disobedience. Satan was
saying that God was a liar and that they would not surely die. He was telling them, that the tree was not poisonous and that they would
not die by the eating of the fruit. He was speaking about physical death.
The following doctrine is centered to placate and in a very subtle manner, to deceive. "You shall not surely die!"

One such website, which is speaking for the Church of Christ, makes this amazing proclamation: (All quotes taken from that site will be in a different color and italicized to differentiate my text from theirs, in this study).

Well, they are two different things! Jesus Christ gave the apostles a 'command,' to baptize in the NAME (singular) of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. He did not say to baptize and repeat these words. Christ did not say to: "baptize in the names of." Christ did not say to: "baptize in the name of the Father and in the name of the Son and in the name of the Holy Spirit." The apostle's obeyed the command, to the letter, that they were given. They obeyed the command using the only NAME given, whereby men are saved. Why can't you? To baptize
repeating the words, is not doing what is commanded! So, it is not in conformity with the command that Christ is giving. Therein lies the twist. Therein lies the deadliness of it! You teach a faith in God with no obedience. This is rebellion, which is the same as witch-craft!

If you are not baptized as Christ commanded, then you might as well bring a bar of soap with you and take a bath. It is that simple.

Acts 4:12...Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby
we must be saved.

Colossians 3:17 ...whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and
the Father by him. (There is no room for "if," nor "and". "DO ALL" pretty much covers it"). Just these two scriptures
make baptizing in the repeating of: "name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, the invalid way of baptizing.

Why do you suppose that, after the command of Christ, there is no record in scripture of anyone being baptized in the triune formula, of
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It is because the command was to baptize in the only NAME ever given. Read the scripture
again. There are two commands given here by Christ. To baptize and in THE name. Then he proceeds to tell you whose name to use, by the second command.

The reason "these people" (notice the accusation) use, that the wording found elsewhere...uses the "term...?" Jesus is the name of God
given to use, it is not a term. Christ is a word that denotes "Messiah." Jesus is a name that Savior.
When the command is followed as given, Matthew 28:19 is not excluded. It is magnified! The command is to baptize in the one name, of the three manifestations (administrations) of the ONE God! That name is, JESUS.

1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in
the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

There are not "two" ways to baptize. There is only one way.

Ephesians 4:5 One Lord (Jesus Christ), one faith (in Christ and his teachings), one baptism (of salvation in his Holy name, including baptism). This is the only baptism that is pleasing and good in God's sight.

This confusion, as it is so put, is because you do not understand that we are told that salvation comes only by Christ Jesus. If we do not
do all things in his name, then we are not doing as we are commanded. We are, therefore, in disobedience to His word. You do not
believe in the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God! You teach others in the same deception with which you, are deceived.

Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible,
whether thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.

Both renderings are correct? Now, what is that name again?

Does not the scripture in question by you, say to baptize in the name of the Son? It only asks for one NAME. For there is only one
God not three. So, the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit is the same name...Jesus!
Read the pages on this website about "Who Is Jesus Christ"? Read the home page! Read "As Of."
Why do you find it so hard to use the only name given that is above all names, in all things. Scripture tells us that "whatsoever we do in word or in deed, do all in the NAME of Jesus." That pretty much covers baptism also.
There are not "two" ways and scripture does not give two ways. It only gives one and even tells you that there is only "one baptism!" To
baptize REPEATING THE WORDS, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, invalidates the baptism, NOT GOD'S WORD! To use the triune formula, invalidates what Christ is telling you. The command again, is baptism in the only name that is given, "whereby a man is saved!"
To say that baptizing in either way is okay, is a lie and against God's word. You change the word of God by more than a jot or a tittle! You
take it completely out of context. You deny His only name!

Matthew 1:21-23 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Yahu'shua (Jesus): for he shall save his people
from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, BEHOLD,
A VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, AND SHALL BRING FORTH A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,
which being interpreted is, GOD with us. Jesus Christ IS literally, GOD WITH US! Not a second person.

Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

In the body of Christ, dwells all the FULNESS of the Godhead. In Christ dwells all the power and authority of God. In Christ is the Father, and He in Him. The Holy Spirit is that part of himself that he sends back as the Comforter. The Holy Spirit is Christ in us. To deny him any
part, is to deny him all. The NAME is "JESUS!" Here are the two commands again: "BAPTISE" and "IN THE NAME OF...!"
To make Christ the lesser second person in a ONE God Godhead, denies who Christ truly is.

Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek), mean the same thing: Anointed.
"Yahu'ushua" (Jesus), means Salvation. (In no other name is there any salvation)

John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him

Luke 24:44-47 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then
opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures. And he said unto them, Thus it is written, and
thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be
preached in HIS NAME among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (For those that are mid-acts dispensationalist, Luke was
an apostle to the Gentiles.)

Repentance and REMISSION of sins! At the expense of repeating, Acts 2:38 ...be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the REMISSION of sins.... Christ was telling his disciples to baptise in his name, as Peter and Luke also tells us. It is very direct. It is not
wishy washy nor ear tickling.

If anyone, teaches that baptism is not a necessary part of a person's salvation, or that baptizing babies, or that baptizing in subtitution or by sprinkling or pouring, or as just a ceremony, is teaching another gospel. They are teaching a lie and THE - TRUTH - IS - NOT - IN - THEM!

We are taught that we are to obey the commands to receive the promise of salvation. So, if we are not in obedience then we are in disobedience, and being in disobedience will get you what? A half truth is the same as no truth. Teach anything else and you are in rebellion. This is the same thing as witch-craft!