DOES CHRISTIAN BAPTISM HAVE ANY THING TO DO WITH SALVATION? (Second in a series)

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ . . . (I Peter 3:21 RSV).

It should be noted that other translations translate this differently "pledge of a good conscience" or "answer of a good conscience."  Read several different versions.

First, I believe that whatever side of the debate, Christians understand that without the gracious incarnation of Christ, his sacrificial and redemptive death, burial and resurrection, there would be no hope of salvation!!!  There is not one who is a Christian who thinks otherwise!!!

Having said that, the question remains, does baptism have anything to do with salvation?  I Peter 3: 21 should be sufficient to answer the question, but there are numerous Dr's. of divinity and theology who say otherwise because I Peter 3:21 does not fit their systematic theology and creed.  Having no creed but Christ, no book but the Bible and no name but the Divine, I only need to preach, teach and defend what God has said in His Word.

Most popular expositors of I Peter 3:21 are embarrassed by it and teach why it doesn't say what it says, "Baptism . . . now saves you . . ."  The question about baptism is this, if Jesus saves, what does baptism have to do with that?  Understanding the grammar of I Peter 3:21, the answer is self evident.  The Greek word that is translated, appeal, answer or pledge,  is a legal word.  It was used in interrogations, How do you answer?  It was used in making a pledge, Do you take this woman to be your wife?  I do!  It was used in making a profession, I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God.  Baptism is covenant making.  A reading of Romans 6:1-6 bears it out.  First, baptism is into the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ; baptism connects us with Jesus who is the only Savior.  Second, baptism is our own crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection so that we might not any longer be enslaved to sin.  In Christian baptism, the new covenant is signed in the blood of Jesus and our own blood.

One of the characteristics of the new covenant, according to Hebrews 8:11, is that upon entrance into the covenant relationship with God, all would know Him.  No longer were people physically born into a covenant relationship with God, as in Israel and had to be taught to know the Lord.  Knowing the Lord was requisite to entering the new covenant relationship.  In Christian baptism, one is answering God's question, one is professing faith, pledging allegiance

Can one be saved without baptism?  Can a couple be married without a ceremony?  A lot of folks would rather try to have a common-law relationship with the Lord than to humbly submit to Him in Christian baptism.   What kind of relationship with Him do you have?

Our Father's Blessings,
Tom

Note: Some say that since baptism is the answer of a good conscience then the person is already saved since one cannot have a good conscience without salvation.  But, that is not true, and it is dangerous to believe that a good conscience is indicative of salvation.  There are many people who do evil and wrong things in good conscience, the apostle Paul being one of them. One thing that could never be said of Paul is that he went against his conscience.  In Acts 23:1 and 24:16 Paul said that is was the practice of his life to live in good conscience--even when he was persecuting to the death believers in Christ!  He believed he was doing God's will, but he was not saved.

Baptism is the answer, profession and pledge of one's sincere faith in Christ.  Many substitute the sinners prayer for Christian baptism rather than humbly submit to the request of God to meet us in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.