Angelo Sanchez asks: Hi gentlemen, I'm new to Christianity. I got to your website through a friend. I'm just wondering if a Christian needs to be baptized in order to be saved? I don't seem to agree with my Pastor. He says that in order to be saved we need to repent and be baptized as we are told in Acts 2:38. But that verse doesn't seem to imply that. Can you please expand on this? Thanks.

Hi Angelo,

Glad to see you are in search of the truth. The first thing that comes to mind when reading your question is the thief that was on the cross with Jesus. He was not baptized, however, Jesus told him "Today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43). This notion can also be seen in Acts 16:30-31, when the jailer asked Paul "What must I do to be saved?", Apostle Paul answered "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved." Lastly, the Bible continuously teaches that salvation is received through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:28, Galatians2:16, Philippians 3:9).

Therefore, in Acts 2:38, rather than Peter telling his audience that salvation comes from baptism, he was actually telling them that their true repentance would be evidenced by their baptism. So in essence, we enter the waters of baptism in obedience to God as it symbolizes our choice to follow God. Just as water washes away dirt from our bodies this ritual represents the reality that the blood of Jesus washes away the sins of our souls. Hope this helps. God bless.

Comments:

Angelo Sanchez: Thanks. Makes perfect sense. God bless and thanks for making things easy to understand.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: Thanks for the question and God bless your brother.

Samantha Jenkins: Great answer, that's what my church teaches.

BRC Hosts Joey and Chris: God Bless you. Thanks Samantha.

Acts 16:30-31

"when the jailer asked Paul "What must I do to be saved?", Apostle Paul answered "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved."