Do I Have to be Baptized to be Saved?
Some of the final words that Jesus said to his Apostles before he ascended back to heaven concerned Baptism. He said,
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” (Matthew 28:18–20 | NKJV)
That command is often referred to as the Great Commission, meaning this was the primary job of the Apostles after Jesus left Earth.
Taking a closer look, we can see that this was designed as a perpetual comand. As the Apostles made disciples and taught them to obey all that Jesus commanded, those disciples were to then make disciples and teach them to observe all that Jesus commanded, because part of what Jesus commanded was to make disciples.
Interestingly, Jesus gave the Great Commission more than once and he did so using different words. We see this in Mark’s Gospel where Jesus said,
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15–16 | NKJV)
Notice that both times Jesus gave the Great Commission he mentioned baptism. Clearly, baptism was an extremely important topic to Jesus and it should be to us as well.
But we might ask...
What is baptism?
Is it pouring, sprinkling, or immersion?
Is one baptized in water, or in the Spirit?
What is the purpose of baptism?
Is it for the remission of sins, or because our sins have already been forgiven?
Is it to be saved, or a public confession of faith after being saved?
Who should be baptized?
Should infants be baptized?
Should just anyone be baptized?
Is there ever a need to be "re-baptized"?
What if I was baptized as an infant?
What if I was baptized for the wrong reason?
What if I have sinned greatly after being baptized?
These and many other questions are often asked when the subject of baptism is raised, and we have both a series of videos and articles dedicated to answering these questions.
Since baptism was commanded by Christ, it is certainly worthy of careful consideration.
When we study this, we should have an attitude like the Bereans from Acts 17:11:
They received the word with all readiness, meaning that they listened carefully to what was being said with a desire to understand it.
Then they searched the Scriptures to find out if what was being said was true.
In this article, we will be looking at the preaching of Peter, Paul, and Philip as recorded in the book of Acts to see what they had to say about baptism.
#1 Peter
Pentecost: Acts 2:36-42
Peter had the honor of preaching the first recorded gospel sermon after Jesus’ ascension back to heaven. It was on the day of Pentecost (a very popular Jewish holiday) when multitudes of people gathered in Jerusalem for the celebration.
You might remember that there was the sound of a loud rushing wind and what looked like tongues of fire appeared on the Apostles’ heads. The multitudes of people started to gather to see what was going on. The Apostles started preaching in many different languages, but it was Peter’s sermon that was recorded for us.
In his sermon, he demonstrated who Jesus truly was and concluded with these words,
“‘Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.’” (Acts 2:36 | NKJV)
This is how the people responded to his sermon,
“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37 | NKJV)
When I read this I try to put myself in their shoes. These were people who knew the wrath and power of God. They grew up knowing the Old Testament, and they knew how God could react to this.
He could send a plague to kill them as he had done in the past.
He could send fire from heaven to destroy them.
He could have opened the ground to swallow them into the depths of the earth.
These things and many more had all happened to or been witnessed by their ancestors in the past when they or others had disobeyed God. Now here they stood, convicted before God for crucifying Jesus whom God made Lord and Christ. This must have been so terrifying. So they ask, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
What shall we do to get out of this situation?
What shall we do to appease God’s wrath?
What shall we do to be forgiven for this grave sin?
I imagine that many possibilities were running through their heads. But this is what Peter said they must do:
“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:38 | NKJV)
The end of the story reads,
“And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:40–42 | NKJV)
These 3000 people were made disciples according to the Great Commission by being baptized and taught just as Jesus had commanded:
“‘…make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.’” (Matthew 28:19-20 | NKJV)
From these verses, we also learn the purpose of baptism. Not only is it to make disciples as Jesus commanded in the Great Commission, but it is also for the remission of sins.
We find the same grammatical construction in Matthew 26:28 where Jesus says,
“‘For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.’” (Matthew 26:28 | NKJV)
Why was Jesus’ blood shed? Because their sins were already forgiven, or so that their sins could be forgiven? Obviously, it was shed so that their sins could be forgiven.
That is exactly what we see here in Acts 2:38.
When the people asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” in verse 37, Peter replied with 2 things they must do,
Repent
Be baptized for the remission of sins
The phrase “for the remission of sins” in Acts 2:38 means “so that” or “unto” the remission of sins.
You see, they were not yet saved. Verse 40 makes that crystal clear when Peter said, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Why would Peter exhort them to be saved if they were already saved? That makes no sense.
Peter’s preaching is in perfect harmony with both accounts of the Great Commission. Disciples were made by being baptized and taught and people were saved by believing and being baptized.
Cornelius and His Household: Acts 10:34-43
Now let’s look at what we can learn from Peter’s preaching to Cornelius and his household. This is the first gospel sermon preached to the Gentiles. Peter ended the sermon by commanding them to be baptized.
“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.” (Acts 10:48 | NKJV)
If you are familiar with this account, you know that there is some pretty interesting stuff taking place with the Holy Spirit falling on Cornelius and his household. A future study will examine whether they were saved when the Spirit fell upon them, or when they were baptized as Peter commanded.
But one thing we can be confident of is that the command to be baptized was given to those who had heard the gospel.
#2 Paul
Lydia: Acts 16: 13-15
While Paul was traveling on one of his missionary journeys, he met a woman named Lydia in Philippi.
“And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.’ So she persuaded us.” (Acts 16:13–15 | NKJV)
Once again we see that baptism follows the preaching of the gospel.
Interestingly, Lydia said, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” How could Paul judge her to be faithful? I would suspect that it was because she had obeyed the command to be baptized, thus becoming a disciple of Christ.
The Philippian Jailor: Acts 16:30-31
Later in Philippi, Paul and his traveling companion Silas found themselves in prison. After a crazy turn of events where God caused an earthquake, Paul ended up preaching to the jailor.
“So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.’” (Acts 16:31-32 | NKJV)
In response, they were immediately baptized!
“And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.” (Acts 16:33 | NKJV)
Once again, baptism follows hearing the Word of the Lord, and here we see the urgency of it: “And immediately he and all his family were baptized.”
Paul’s Conversion: Acts 22:6-16
You probably know that the Apostle Paul is introduced to us in the book of Acts as a young man named Saul. He was a persecutor of Christians but was converted to Christ and became an Apostle.
Here is Paul recounting his conversion story:
“‘Now it happened, as I journeyed and came near Damascus at about noon, suddenly a great light from heaven shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” So I answered, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said to me, “I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.” And those who were with me indeed saw the light and were afraid, but they did not hear the voice of Him who spoke to me.’” (Acts 22:6-9 | NKJV)
Paul then responded,
“‘So I said, “What shall I do, Lord?”’” (Acts 22:10a | NKJV)
That sounds strikingly similar to what the people asked Peter in Acts 2, when they realized that they had crucified Jesus their Lord and Christ.
What was Jesus’ reply to Paul?
“‘And the Lord said to me, “Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do.”’” (Acts 22:10b | NKJV)
Jesus didn’t tell him what he must do except that he needed to go to Damascus to receive more information. In verses 11-13, Saul/Paul went to Damascus and met a man named Ananias. Ananias said,
“‘“The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”’” (Acts 22:14–16 | NKJV)
What did Paul need to do? Be baptized. Why? To wash away his sins. That sounds very similar to Peter’s reply to the men who asked him what they must do; he said they needed to be baptized for the remission of sins.
#3 Phillip
Simon the Sorcerer: Acts 8:5-13
While Phillip was not an Apostle, he was empowered by the Holy Spirit and preached Jesus. He ended up preaching in Samaria.
“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.”
“But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, ‘This man is the great power of God.’ And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time.“
“But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.” (Acts 8:5–13 | NKJV)
Here we see that when the gospel is preached, those who believe are baptized. This seems to be a common theme so far.
The Ethiopian Eunuch: Acts 8:26-40
After this, Philip was sent to meet a man who was traveling from Jerusalem to Ethiopia. Philip found him reading from the Old Testament. The eunuch didn’t understand was he was reading, so he asked Philip to explain it.
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.” (Acts 8:35 | NKJV)
Notice what Philip preached: the Bible says he preached Jesus. How did the man respond?
“Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”” (Acts 3:36 | NKJV)
The first question that the man asked after Jesus was preached to him was about baptism!
“Then Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may.’ And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.’ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:37-38 | NKJV)
What should the natural response be to hearing about Jesus? Baptism. If anyone preaches Jesus and leaves out the command to be baptized, they haven’t preached the true Jesus.
In summary, this is what we have learned about baptism from the preaching of Peter, Paul, and Phillip in the book of Acts:
Baptism was commanded "for the remission of sins" - Acts 2:38
It was done to "wash away sins" - Acts 22:16
It involved "water" - Acts 8:36-38; 10:48
It was done "immediately," with no delay, even if after midnight - Acts 16:25-33
Let us know your thoughts in the comments! For more Bible studies on baptism, you can watch our video series on the topic here.
