The question of whether baptism is necessary for salvation is an important one that many Christians wrestle with. Acts 2:38 is a key verse that is often brought up in this discussion. It reads, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” So what exactly does this verse teach about the relationship between baptism and salvation?
When examining this issue, it’s important to look at the verse in its broader context. Acts 2 records the first preaching of the gospel after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Peter is speaking to a Jewish crowd who is convicted of their sin in crucifying Jesus. They ask Peter in verse 37, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter’s response in verse 38 emphasizes two things they must do – repent and be baptized.
Repentance is stressed as necessary for salvation throughout Scripture. It involves turning away from sin and turning towards God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Baptism, on the other hand, is something that follows conversion as a public profession of faith and identification with Christ (Acts 8:12-13, Acts 8:36-38, Acts 9:18, Acts 16:14-15, Acts 16:31-34). In the book of Acts, it usually followed immediately after someone believed, often the same day. It Functioned as a public testimony that one has been united to Christ in his death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4).
Peter commands them to repent and be baptized in order to receive two promises – the forgiveness of sins (salvation) and the gift of the Holy Spirit. But it is repentance that is connected to salvation here rather than baptism. Salvation is an internal washing through Christ’s blood that happens by faith (Acts 15:9, Romans 3:21-26, Titus 3:5). Baptism is an external washing that symbolizes the internal cleansing that has already occurred (1 Peter 3:21).
So in summary, Acts 2:38 teaches that repentance is necessary for salvation, while baptism serves as a public declaration of faith for those who have been saved. This fits with the pattern throughout Acts where baptism follows someone coming to faith rather than preceding it or causing it.
Now that we’ve looked at the immediate context of Acts 2:38, it’s also helpful to consider the teaching of the rest of the New Testament on this topic:
1. There are instances in the Bible where people were saved but not immediately baptized, showing that baptism is not required for salvation. For example, the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43) and Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:44-48).
2. Paul emphasizes that salvation is “not because of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9), and baptism would be considered a work.
3. Paul downplays the role of baptism in 1 Corinthians 1:14-17, where he is thankful he did not personally baptize more Corinthians so they would not think more highly of him or his baptism rather than the cross of Christ for their salvation.
4. The lack of baptism is never given as a reason why someone would be condemned or unsaved in Scripture, while rejecting Christ is (John 3:18, John 3:36).
5. Other passages speak of salvation by faith alone with no mention of baptism (John 1:12, John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9-10). Faith is what God requires for salvation (John 6:28-29).
6. Paul refers to only “one baptism” in Ephesians 4:5, presumably meaning spiritual baptism by Christ with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13), not water baptism.
7. Paul puts baptism in the category of non-essential issues in the church that should not be elevated as necessary for salvation (1 Corinthians 1:10-17).
So looking at the wider teaching of Scripture, while baptism is emphasized as important and even commanded, it does not appear to be necessary for salvation. Salvation is by God’s grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
The common counterargument is that the phrase “for the forgiveness of sins” in Acts 2:38 makes it appear baptism is necessary for salvation. However, there are several things to consider in response to this:
1. As discussed already, the broader context separates repentance and baptism, with only repentance directly linked to forgiveness of sins.
2. The Greek preposition eis translated “for” in Acts 2:38 can also have a “because of” meaning instead of “in order to.” It is reasonable to interpret it as “because of” in this case based on the theology of the rest of the New Testament.
3. The word “for” does not always mean something is absolutely necessary for something else, it can simply point to what something results in. For example, in Matthew 12:41 it refers to repentance resulting in forgiveness, not causing it. Acts 2:38 can have the same sense.
4. There are passages that speak of baptism representing or picturing the washing away of sins (Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21). So linking baptism to forgiveness of sins does not automatically mean it causes forgiveness.
5. If baptism were required for salvation, it would become a ritualistic work that people must perform to be saved. But Scripture teaches we are not saved by any works (Titus 3:5).
In conclusion, looking at the context of Acts 2:38, the rest of the teaching in Acts, and the New Testament as a whole, baptism does not appear to be something necessary for salvation. The consistent pattern is that faith alone in Christ alone brings eternal life. Baptism serves as an important public declaration of that faith and identification with Christ, not as a prerequisite for forgiveness and salvation. The baptism discussed in Acts 2:38 would have primarily signified to Jewish believers the washing away of sins that happened inwardly. It was faith in Christ that results in forgiveness of sins, not the outward ritual.
This view is shared by many Bible scholars throughout church history. Here are a few quotes from commentators:
“It would be against the whole genius of biblical religion to suppose that the outward rite [of baptism], apart from the thing signified, conveyed the forgiveness of sins.” – F.F. Bruce
“Baptism did not convey forgiveness of sins but represented outwardly what had already taken place inwardly when they repented.” – Richard N. Longenecker
“Forgiveness is linked to repentance, not baptism…their baptism was a pledge of a good conscience toward God and not a condition of forgiveness.” – John Stott
While this view of baptism may go against what certain denominations teach, it aims to be faithful to Scripture as a whole. The Bible clearly teaches we are saved by God’s grace when we place our faith in Christ and his atoning work on the cross. Baptism is a significant event to be cherished by believers as they declare their faith publicly and identify with Jesus’ death and resurrection. But Scripture falls short of indicating it is absolutely necessary for salvation.
This article aimed to offer an overview of the key evidence about whether baptism is necessary for salvation according to Acts 2:38 and the wider teaching of the New Testament. There are good Christians on both sides of this issue, which is secondary in importance compared to the core truths of the gospel. May we have grace-filled dialogue and unity in the essentials, while having charity in non-essential matters of interpretation.