Five Reasons Why Paul Said Physical Baptism Cannot Save One's Soul
The Apostle Paul, strictly emphasized salvation by grace, faith, and Christ alone. Paul taught that physical baptism does not, in itself, save a person's soul. Paul confirms this in Romans:
Romans 3:28: “For we hold that one is justified by faith APART from works of the law.”
Romans 5:1: adds, "Therefore, since we have been made righteous through his faithfulness, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ". [/c][/b]
These verses emphasize that righteousness is a gift received through faith in Jesus, not something earned through "works".
Baptism is not the new birth, in any way, shape, or form. Don't confuse physical baptism, with God's grace-saving salvation, followed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Physical baptism, is an outward expression symbolizing dying to one's old life and sinful ways (as one goes under the water) and rising from the old dead self, to a new life in Christ (as one comes up from the water.) That "work" saves no one. It is not "baptism of the soul". It serves no purpose in saving the soul, nor does it have anything to do with our soul. God's saving grace transforms one's spirit when they accept Jesus as Savior, thereby saving one's soul. Baptism is merely a public confession of faith, showing that one is not ashamed of Christ and has given their heart and life to Christ.
If one could get saved by physically going to get baptized, that would be considered a works-based salvation which Paul spoke against in Romans 3:28.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit, or as some might call it, "Baptism WITH the Holy Spirit", are one in the same, describing a distinct experience where a person has made a life commitment to Christ... repenting of their sins and asking Jesus to come into their heart and life as Savior. Only then can the Holy Spirit come to the believer and indwell them, transforming their heart and life by His prescence.
He is a constant spiritual companion, and empowers believers with God's Spirit, giving them strength and guidance for each day, purpose, and spiritual guidance in ministry for the special spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit chooses for each new "born-again believer". One cannot be "born again" or receive the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit", unless they have asked and received Jesus as Savior, and then the Holy Spirit of Promise comes upon them to dwell in them, and places His Seal on the new Believer, as God's own. The Bible is concrete on that.
The following point to the following reasons why baptism cannot save one soul:
1. Salvation is by faith alone:
Paul emphasized that salvation is a free gift received through faith in Jesus Christ, not as a result of human actions or works.
Ephesians 2:8-9 states that salvation is "by grace... through faith... NOT of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT of works, lest any man should boast".
Therefore, since baptism is a physical act or "work," it cannot be the means by which someone is saved.
2. Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change:
Baptism is seen as a public declaration of a person's faith and commitment to Christ, signifying the internal transformation that has already occurred through the work of the Holy Spirit.
It symbolizes the believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, representing the death of the old self and the resurrection to a new life in Christ.
Water baptism gives us a SYMBOLIC PICTURE of the cleansing and forgiveness of sins that a person has ALREADY RECEIVED through faith in Christ.
3. Paul's emphasis on preaching the gospel over baptizing:
In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul says that Christ "did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel".
This confirms that preaching the gospel, which leads to faith, is most important, and baptism is a subsequent act of obedience for those who have already believed.
4. It does not cause one to be "reborn".
It does not unite us with Christ in a saving way. All of that happens by God's grace and faith alone...accepting Jesus as our personal Savior....by the work of Christ's atoning blood on the cross. If Jesus had not shed His blood for us, we could never have been forgiven for our sins.
"Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin", found in Hebrews 9:22.
All this pointing to the blood of Christ, effectually cleansing us from all sin.
5. Examples of people saved without physical baptism:
The thief on the cross was saved through faith in Jesus without being physically baptized.
Old Testament saints were saved by faith alone without any form of water baptism.
The above emphasizes that while physical baptism doesn't save, it's still a wonderful testimony and very important to Christ, who wants us to follow up in our commitment to him, by being baptized, in that it follows Christ's example and demonstrates serious commitment to Him.
Romans 3:28: “For we hold that one is justified by faith APART from works of the law.”
Romans 5:1: adds, "Therefore, since we have been made righteous through his faithfulness, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ". [/c][/b]
These verses emphasize that righteousness is a gift received through faith in Jesus, not something earned through "works".
Baptism is not the new birth, in any way, shape, or form. Don't confuse physical baptism, with God's grace-saving salvation, followed by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Physical baptism, is an outward expression symbolizing dying to one's old life and sinful ways (as one goes under the water) and rising from the old dead self, to a new life in Christ (as one comes up from the water.) That "work" saves no one. It is not "baptism of the soul". It serves no purpose in saving the soul, nor does it have anything to do with our soul. God's saving grace transforms one's spirit when they accept Jesus as Savior, thereby saving one's soul. Baptism is merely a public confession of faith, showing that one is not ashamed of Christ and has given their heart and life to Christ.
If one could get saved by physically going to get baptized, that would be considered a works-based salvation which Paul spoke against in Romans 3:28.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit, or as some might call it, "Baptism WITH the Holy Spirit", are one in the same, describing a distinct experience where a person has made a life commitment to Christ... repenting of their sins and asking Jesus to come into their heart and life as Savior. Only then can the Holy Spirit come to the believer and indwell them, transforming their heart and life by His prescence.
He is a constant spiritual companion, and empowers believers with God's Spirit, giving them strength and guidance for each day, purpose, and spiritual guidance in ministry for the special spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit chooses for each new "born-again believer". One cannot be "born again" or receive the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit", unless they have asked and received Jesus as Savior, and then the Holy Spirit of Promise comes upon them to dwell in them, and places His Seal on the new Believer, as God's own. The Bible is concrete on that.
The following point to the following reasons why baptism cannot save one soul:
1. Salvation is by faith alone:
Paul emphasized that salvation is a free gift received through faith in Jesus Christ, not as a result of human actions or works.
Ephesians 2:8-9 states that salvation is "by grace... through faith... NOT of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT of works, lest any man should boast".
Therefore, since baptism is a physical act or "work," it cannot be the means by which someone is saved.
2. Baptism is an outward symbol of an inward change:
Baptism is seen as a public declaration of a person's faith and commitment to Christ, signifying the internal transformation that has already occurred through the work of the Holy Spirit.
It symbolizes the believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, representing the death of the old self and the resurrection to a new life in Christ.
Water baptism gives us a SYMBOLIC PICTURE of the cleansing and forgiveness of sins that a person has ALREADY RECEIVED through faith in Christ.
3. Paul's emphasis on preaching the gospel over baptizing:
In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul says that Christ "did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel".
This confirms that preaching the gospel, which leads to faith, is most important, and baptism is a subsequent act of obedience for those who have already believed.
4. It does not cause one to be "reborn".
It does not unite us with Christ in a saving way. All of that happens by God's grace and faith alone...accepting Jesus as our personal Savior....by the work of Christ's atoning blood on the cross. If Jesus had not shed His blood for us, we could never have been forgiven for our sins.
"Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin", found in Hebrews 9:22.
All this pointing to the blood of Christ, effectually cleansing us from all sin.
5. Examples of people saved without physical baptism:
The thief on the cross was saved through faith in Jesus without being physically baptized.
Old Testament saints were saved by faith alone without any form of water baptism.
The above emphasizes that while physical baptism doesn't save, it's still a wonderful testimony and very important to Christ, who wants us to follow up in our commitment to him, by being baptized, in that it follows Christ's example and demonstrates serious commitment to Him.
