That which is necessary is not optional. Breathing, for example, is not optional. We cannot "take it or leave it"; without breathing we will die.
The same principle is true concerning our salvation from sin. There are certain necessary or essential things God has done, without which we cannot be saved. Christ's death on the cross is God's supreme expression of love, mercy and grace (John 3:16; Rom. 5:6-10; Eph. 2:4-7). Without the benefit of His death in our life, we remain forever lost.
Likewise, the gospel of Christ commands certain necessary things of sinners in order to be saved by faith (Rom. 1:16; Eph. 2:8-9). Faith that saves is faith that obeys the gospel of Christ (Jas. 2:17, 24; Matt. 17:5; Heb. 5:8-9). One of the necessary things sinners must obey in order to be saved is the command of water baptism.
Water baptism is necessary in order to be saved. It is immersion in water, an action of faith in Christ (Acts 8:35-39). Jesus Christ commanded, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mk. 16:16). Jesus is clear: the sinner who believes and is baptized will be saved. Unbelievers are lost. Both belief and baptism are necessary, not only belief (the "faith only" doctrine is false). Baptism alone is not enough, either (baptism of babies who cannot believe is false). The apostle Peter taught that just like water saved Noah and his family by delivering them from the old world of sin into a new world cleansed of sin's stain, "baptism doth also now save us" (1 Pet. 3:21, KJV). No wonder this same apostle commanded sinners to be baptized (Acts 10:48). If you are lost today, you must obey the command to be baptized to be saved from your sins.
Water baptism is necessary for the remission of sins. The problem of sin is real for every person. The result of sin is eternal death. Without God's salvation we are lost (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). When the murderers of Jesus Christ became believers and were convicted of their sinful deed they cried out, "what shall we do?" The apostle Peter replied, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:37-38). Water baptism is necessary and effective to accomplish God's purpose of forgiveness (remission of sins) after the believer repents of his sins. On that day of Pentecost about three thousand souls who "gladly received his word were baptized" (Acts 2:41). Their sins were forgiven when they were baptized. If you believe and repent, then "gladly receive" the gospel and be baptized to be forgiven of your sins.
Water baptism is necessary in order to be saved by the blood of Christ. Without a doubt, the blood of Jesus redeems sinners (1 Pet. 1:18-19). His death is the one and only sacrifice capable of taking away the sins of the world (John 1:29; Matt. 20:28). "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7). The sinner obtains the saving benefit of the blood of Christ when he is "baptized into His death" (Rom. 6:3). Only baptism puts the sinner into the death of Christ through which, by God's grace, redemption is obtained. Hearing and believing the gospel, confessing faith and repenting does not put one "into His death". Water baptism does (Rom. 6:3). To be saved by the blood of Christ you must be baptized "into His death".
Water baptism is necessary in order to be in a saved relationship with God. When the believing, repentant sinner is baptized "into Christ" he puts on Christ (Rom. 6:3-5; Gal. 3:27). Without water baptism one is still outside of Christ and lost in sin. Sinners who are taught the gospel and believe it willingly submit to being baptized "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). Then they are "in Christ" and blessed with every spiritual blessing that comes with being a child of God (Eph. 1:3-5; John 3:5). To be in a saved relationship with Christ as a child of God you must be baptized into Christ.
Water baptism is necessary in order to call on the name of the Lord. Many people believe the "sinner's prayer" saves the lost soul. But, the sinner Saul prayed for three days and nights after Jesus appeared to him, and he was still lost (Acts 9:3-11). Prayer did not save him. The preacher Ananias (whom the Lord sent to Saul) asked a penetrating question that shows this is so: "And now, why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). God calls sinners to salvation through the gospel (Mk. 16:15; 2 Thess. 2:14). The lost person calls on the Lord for salvation by being baptized to be cleansed by Christ's blood. Perhaps you have been praying for God to save you. To be saved, wait no longer. Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins.
The New Testament is clear: water baptism is necessary for salvation. "He that believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mk. 16:16). Do you believe the gospel of Christ? Then arise and be baptized and be saved from your sins by Christ Jesus.
- The Spirit's Sword, 7/15/12