Peter spoke of baptism in comparison to the flood of Noah when he stated, “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you – not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience – through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21). Previously on the day of Pentecost, Peter had made clear that forgiveness of sins was connected with the act of baptism (Acts 2:38). Even with such Biblical evidence, there are those who accuse anyone who believes in the essentiality of baptism of teaching “water salvation” and “baptismal regeneration”. On the surface it might look unusual that a mere element like water could play such an important role in God’s scheme of redemption. Someone may say, “I don’t understand why you think water...” Regardless of the why, it is a fact that water has been important on several occasions when God has dealt with man. There are five examples of God placing importance upon water in regards to man. When we look at the role water has played in these situations in the Bible, we will be in a better position to see that one cannot obey the gospel of Christ and receive the forgiveness of sins without being baptized in water.
The Salvation of Noah’s Family from the Flood
Long ago, God used water to destroy the mass of humanity that had plunged into sin. Genesis tells us, “5Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6The LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7The LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD…11Now the earth was corrupt in the sight of God, and the earth was filled with violence. 12God looked on the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way upon the earth…17“Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life, from under heaven; everything that is on the earth shall perish. 18“But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark—you and your sons and your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.13Then God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me; for the earth is filled with violence because of them; and behold, I am about to destroy them with the earth.” (Genesis 6:5-8, 11-13, 17-18).
The waters that God used to destroy the sinful world were also the means by which God lifted the ark above the destruction. Water destroyed the sin and saved Noah and his family. Peter spoke of this when he said, “...who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.” (1 Peter 3:21).
Whether or not we understand why God chose this particular means of accomplishing His purpose, the fact remains that for Noah and his family, water was the “dividing line” between the filth of the old world and the cleanness of the new.
The Crossing of the Red Sea by Israel
As Israel left the bondage of Egypt, God led them to the Red Sea, parted the waters for their crossing, and then brought the waters back upon the pursuing army of Pharaoh (Exodus 14:1-31).
The crossing of the Red Sea between walls of water was called being “baptized...in the cloud and the sea” (1 Corinthians 10:1-2). This form of immersion led to the freedom of the Israelites from their bondage.
Whether or not we understand why God chose this means of accomplishing His purpose, the fact remains that for Israel, water was the “dividing line” between bondage and freedom.
The Cleansing of Naaman’s Leprosy
Naaman was a commander of the Syrian army. He was afflicted with leprosy. A young servant girl told him of the possibility of being healed by Elisha. He went to Elisha and was told to dip in the Jordan river seven times. After debating whether it was necessary to do as Elisha said, he obeyed the instructions. He was cleansed of his leprosy only when he dipped in the Jordan river seven times (2 Kings 5:1-14).
The healing was done by God’s power, not the water’s – but God’s power was only applied for healing when Naaman obeyed what God said about the water.
Whether or not we understand why God chose this means of accomplishing His purpose, the fact remains that for Naaman, water was the “dividing line” between blindness and sight.
The Healing of the Blind Man by Jesus
In John 9 Jesus healed a certain blind man. This man had been blind since birth. As one studies the miracles of Jesus it is clear to see that He was capable of performing miracles in many ways. He even healed someone who was many miles away from Him. In the case of this blind man, Jesus made healing dependent upon the man washing in the pool of Siloam. The man was unable to see until he had washed. Many have wondered why Jesus performed this miracle in this manner.
Whether or not we understand why God chose this means of accomplishing His purpose, the fact remains that for the blind man, water was the “dividing line” between blindness and sight.
The Forgiveness of Sins in Baptism
In all of the instances above, God used the element of water. He commanded the subjects in question to use water as He directed, and He withheld the blessing until faith was demonstrated in obedience.
In view of that fact, there is nothing unusual about Jesus saying that believers in Him must be baptized in water to be saved. Grace provides the opportunity and it is up to each individual to obey the conditions. These conditions include baptism, in order to be saved (Mark 16:16; John 3:5). In a study of the book of Acts it is clear to see that no one received the remission of sins prior to baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
Whether or not we understand why God chose this means of accomplishing His purpose, the fact remains for us that baptism is the “dividing line” between sin and salvation.
The Bible does not teach “baptismal regeneration.” There is nothing about water itself that can cleanse the soul from sin. The simple action of baptism itself (i.e. putting someone under water) is not the thing that procures the forgiveness of our sins. It is much deeper and far greater than that.
Baptism is a condition which God has attached to the remission of sins. When a person takes God at His word and obeys the command to be baptized for the remission of sins, he places his trust for salvation in the faithfulness and power of God. By doing what God says, he demonstrates faith that God can and will keep His promise to save him. Paul stated, “...having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:12).
It is a faith that moves us to obey God. Such faith will drive us to obey whatever act God might have required of us. This is the faith that God is looking for. Baptism is “the answer of a good conscience toward God.” (1 Peter 3:21). It is the obedient appeal we make to God’s grace for salvation. Hebrews says, “...let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22).
It is in this sense that baptism “saves” us (1 Peter 3:21). Prior to baptism, our sins have not been “washed away” and therefore it is impossible to be saved (Acts 22:16).
In baptism, water serves as the most important “dividing line”. It’s the line that divides the old life of sin from the new life of the Christian. It is still the dividing line between:
Ø Filth of the present world and the cleanness of the world to come.
Ø Bondage of sin and Freedom in Christ Jesus.
Ø Spiritual Sickness eating away at our lives like a cancer and the Healing of the Great Physician.
Ø Blindness found in the darkness of a world of sin and corruption and the Seeing of those things eternal.
Ø Being Lost or being Saved.
I once studied with a lady who refused to believe that she needed to be baptized for salvation. I showed her the scriptures that commanded baptism and its relation to the remission of sins and therefore salvation. She had no answer to the truth of these scriptures. As her position crumbled in the face of Biblical truth she stated, “Young man, I DON’T CARE WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS, I will never believe that I have to be baptized.” How can anyone find salvation who does not care about what God’s word says? Jesus said we are sanctified by that truth (John 17:17). Paul states that it is the “power of God unto salvation” (Romans 1:16) and that faith comes from it (Romans 10:17). If you love God, you must love His word and be willing to obey it.
You may be asking yourself the same question that the Ethiopian Eunuch asked Philip, “What prevents me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36) The answer is that nothing prevents you except unbelief in God, His power, and His word. May you hear the advice of Namaan’s servant who heard his master’s complaining about having to wash in the Jordan. He told his master, “if he had told you to do some great thing you would have done it, why not just wash and be clean.” Maybe you need the encouragement that Ananias gave to Saul, “And now why do you delay? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins calling on His name.” (Acts 22:16). It is God’s desire for every man to cross the dividing line of water to find salvation.
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