Acts 22:16 says, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” This verse is sometimes used to argue that baptism is required for the forgiveness of sins and salvation. However, based on the broader context of Scripture, baptism does not actually cleanse us from sin or save us. Rather, baptism is an outward picture of the inward cleansing we have by grace through faith in Christ.
There are several reasons why Acts 22:16 does not teach baptismal regeneration (the view that baptism is necessary for salvation):
1. Salvation is by grace through faith, not works
Throughout the New Testament, it is clear that we are saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ, not by any good works or rituals (Ephesians 2:8-9). Salvation is a free gift received by faith alone. Passages like Romans 4:4-5 and Galatians 2:16 make it clear that no outward ritual or work can justify us or earn salvation.
If baptism were required for salvation, it would become a meritorious work and contradict the repeated biblical teaching that we cannot earn or merit salvation but can only receive it as an undeserved gift of God’s grace.
2. The thief on the cross was saved without being baptized
In Luke 23:39-43, Jesus tells one of the thieves on the cross next to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” This demonstrates that baptism is not absolutely necessary for salvation, since the thief had no opportunity to be baptized but was saved simply through trusting in Christ.
3. Salvation comes before baptism
Other passages show that people were saved before they were baptized. In Acts 10:44-48, Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit and regeneration before their baptism. They were clearly saved before baptism. This would not make sense if baptism were required for salvation.
Similarly, Acts 16 describes the conversion of Lydia and the Philippian jailer. In both cases they believed in Christ first and then were baptized afterward as a public profession of their faith. Their baptism did not save them, but showed outwardly the faith they already had.
4. Baptism is an outward symbol, not the means of salvation
Throughout the New Testament, baptism is consistently portrayed as an outward picture or symbol of the inward cleansing and renewal that accompanies salvation (Titus 3:5, Hebrews 10:22, 1 Peter 3:21). The power is not in the physical act of baptism itself, but in Christ’s death and resurrection which baptism symbolizes.
Colossians 2:12 describes baptism as portraying outwardly our union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection. It is a visual illustration of the spiritual transaction of regeneration. The symbol does not automatically confer what it portrays, just as the Lord’s Supper does not automatically confer salvation just because it portrays Christ’s death.
5. Salvation comes “through his name,” not baptism
In Acts 22:16, Paul is told to be baptized and wash away his sins “calling on his name.” It is this calling on Christ’s name that saves, not the water ritual. The phrase “call on the name of the Lord” is used throughout Scripture to refer to salvation (Romans 10:13, Acts 2:21). It is a figure of speech referring to trusting in Christ alone for salvation.
The water of baptism does not literally wash away sins. Only the blood of Christ cleanses us from sin (1 John 1:7). What baptism represents is the inner cleansing that has already occurred through faith in Christ alone.
6. Paul downplays the importance of baptism
In 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, the apostle Paul downplays the importance of baptism in relation to the preaching of the gospel. He says he hardly baptized anyone in Corinth, then states, “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel.” If baptism were essential for salvation, this would be an extremely strange statement.
Paul elsewhere refers to baptism’s relative unimportance, placing the priority on preaching Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). He notes that while many outward rituals like circumcision or baptism have symbolic value, the only thing that matters is being a new creation in Christ (Galatians 6:15).
7. The New Testament shows people being saved without baptism
As already mentioned, the thief on the cross was saved without baptism. In Acts 10:44-48, Cornelius’ household was regenerated and received the Holy Spirit before their baptism. Their baptism was a response and testimony to what had occurred, not the means of salvation itself.
In Luke 8:12, Jesus says that those who receive the word with a noble and good heart have “believed unto salvation.” Saving faith is presented as distinct from baptism.
Matthew 12:41 describes people who “repented at the preaching of Jonah.” Like faith, repentance itself is shown repeatedly in Scripture to bring salvation before and even without accompanying baptism.
8. Scripture must interpret Scripture
No single verse or passage should be taken in isolation. We must compare Scripture with Scripture and look at the overall teaching of the Bible on a given topic. While Acts 22:16 may sound to some like it is saying baptism brings salvation, in light of the larger teaching of Scripture we know this cannot be what is meant.
We know from the full counsel of God’s word that saving faith itself brings regeneration and justification (Acts 16:31, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 2:8-9, etc.). Baptism is a sign, seal, and testimony to the faith one already has, not the instrument or channel of salvation itself.
9. Greek grammar does not support baptismal regeneration
In Acts 22:16, the Greek word translated “wash away” does not necessarily mean “to cleanse.” Lexical authorities point out this word more commonly means “to wash off” or metaphorically “to remove.” This same word is used in Acts 16:33 where the jailer washed Paul’s wounds. It didn’t heal the wounds but washed off dirt and blood.
Likewise, baptismal water does not spiritually cleanse sins, but outwardly represents the inner cleansing from sin that comes by faith in Christ. It is a sign of appeal or petition to God for that cleansing, not the means by which cleansing is obtained. The grammar does not support a baptismal regeneration interpretation of this verse.
10. Baptism is faith publicly professed and lived out
Baptism is a biblical way to pledge allegiance to Christ publicly, to identify visibly with his church, and to testify openly to what Christ has done in saving us. As an act of obedience and faithfulness, it is a monumental event in the believer’s life. But Scripture is clear that baptism does not earn or convey salvation itself.
In summary, based on the teaching of Scripture as a whole, Acts 22:16 does not teach that baptism is necessary for salvation. Baptism is an important step of obedience that profoundly signifies our faith in Christ, but it is faith in Christ that saves us, not the outward ritual of baptism.