Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Baptismal Regeneration Part 1 Introduction

I think it is fair to say the belief in baptismal regeneration has been debated for many centuries. I am fairly confident it will continue to be hotly debated until our Lord returns. I am certain that my two cents worth will not change or end this great debate. Nonetheless, I have decided to throw my hat into the baptismal regeneration arena. Actually I am not looking to debate anyone. I have read countless debates of one Christian trying to convince another Christian about a certain belief they hold to. I have rarely found the debate useful in changing minds and do more to fuel controversy and divide the body of Christ. We are in a day where Christians spend far too much time debating issues of doctrine between other Christians while a lost world continues to die. Too often the debates between Christians grow bitter and demeaning. Therefore, this is not a debate. It is simply one man’s look into a difficult topic. It is more designed to aid in my church member’s education on an important topic. My greatest hope is not to change your mind but to encourage your study on this important topic. If you believe in the need of baptismal regeneration, I hope to challenge your view and to direct you to a deep study of scripture. Furthermore, I hope through this dialogue, even if you do not agree with me, you will be better able to state your position on baptismal regeneration and defend its need.

Baptismal regeneration comes down to one fairly simple question: What must I do to be saved? I am contrasting two schools of thought. First, a person is saved by grace through faith and faith alone. Secondly, a person is saved through faith in combination with baptism. The latter position believes that baptism is a requirement for salvation. I am standing upon the doctrine of the former and will attempt to show why salvation comes by grace through faith and faith alone. In upcoming postings, I will also study a few of the more difficult passages in scripture, which on the surface, seem to support the need of baptismal regeneration. In a nutshell, my position is simple: The weight of scripture and the clear teachings of God’s Word are in overwhelmingly support of salvation by grace through faith and faith alone.

As I study scripture, I hold to three very simple assumptions. First, the Bible is God’s Word. It has God for its author and salvation for its end. It is inspired by God and useful to man. Secondly, if God is the true author of the Bible, He knows what He has said in one verse and will not contradict Himself in another verse. Therefore, difficult passages must be interpreted through the lens of clearer and less “grey” scripture. In light of these three assumptions, I begin this first, of several postings examining what I believe to be the clear teachings of scripture. In my opinion, these passages show without a doubt that salvation is by grace through faith and faith alone.

I could begin a defense of salvation through faith alone in many of the New Testament books. My first passage of defense is found in the Book of Acts. In chapter 16, the jailer asks a most probing question. In fact, it is the only time in scripture where this question is asked in such a clear and concise way. The jailer asks Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved (30)?” Here is the million dollar question. In my very humble opinion, Paul settles the issue of baptismal regeneration here. Paul’s answer is as clear and concise as the jailor’s question. Paul leaves no room for debate, no room for doubt, and certainly no room for baptism. Paul says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved – you and your household” (31). Could it be clearer? Paul could have said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, be baptized, join a local church, pray, and you will be saved.” He did not. In my opinion, the matter is settled once and for all. Could it be any clearer? If God is the author of the Word and has inspired Paul to say, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved,” He will not contradict Himself in another passage and say you must include baptism to be saved.

The Gospel of John was written “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may life in His name” (20:31). If John wrote his gospel so that people might be saved, it seems as good a spot as any to begin to really examine this issue. Once again, if it is John’s position, is it not also God’s position? Notice the verse above; John says, “That by believing you may have life in His name.” It is agreed by scholars throughout, that faith and belief go hand in hand. It is further agreed that words like salvation, eternal life, forgiveness of sin, justification, and righteousness all point to the same saving work of the Holy Spirit. Once again, see what John has said, it is by believing that a person has life. He did not say by believing and baptism a person is saved. John has not left any wiggle room whatsoever.

Is this God’s position? Let’s see what a Christ has said and let God answer for Himself. The third chapter of John is great example of Jesus’ teaching on the matter of salvation. Four times in this great chapter, Jesus teaches that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life (15, 16, 18, 36). Who receives eternal life? It is the one who believes. Who is the one condemned? It is the one who does not believe. What is the basis of salvation in John chapter 3? Very simply, it is belief (We will examine the early verses of John later). When you have time, check out these other important verses that support salvation by faith (belief) alone: John 1:12; 5:24; 6:35,47; 8:24; 11:25-26. According to the Gospel of John, salvation is based upon belief and condemnation is based upon unbelief. Condemnation is never based upon whether or not a person has been baptized.

Let’s reexamine Paul’s position on this topic. It is not difficult to see what Paul believed about salvation. One does not need to go far to see that Paul’s theology (therefore God’s theology) states, “for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Throughout Paul’s letters, he states that salvation, eternal life, forgiveness of sin, justification, and righteousness is found by faith or belief in Jesus Christ (Romans 1:17; 3:22, 25-28; 4:13; 9:30-32; 10:4, 9-10, 13-14; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Galatians 2:15-16; 3:7-9, 3:26, Philippians 3:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Timothy 1:16).

The book of Acts also affirms this belief. Once again, Paul’s teaching and preaching affirm his stance on the doctrine of salvation through faith alone. He supports this position in Acts 13:38-39; 16:30-31; and 20; 20-21. In coming posts, we will look at Peter’s teachings on baptismal regeneration. At first glance, it looks like Peter holds to a doctrine of baptismal regeneration. As we examine a little closer, we can see another side of Peter. For instance, when he is facing the first Jerusalem council on the topic of circumcision, Peter stands in defense of faith alone: He says, “… He purified their hearts (Gentiles) by faith … We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are” (Acts 15:9,11 see also verse 7). When he was in Cornelius’ home, he states, “All the prophets testify about Him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through His name” (Acts 10:43). He also says that times of refreshing may come and ours sins may be wiped out to all who “repent and turn to God” (Acts 3:19). There is no mention of baptism whatsoever. When we examine the difficult passages we must do so in light of Peter’s teaching on salvation by grace. Once again, the Bible will not contradict itself.

To believe in the need of baptism in the regenerate process, one must completely discard many verses that support a teaching of salvation by grace through faith and faith alone. It is also important to note if a person believes baptism saves, they must also accept the following:

1. There must always be water enough to baptize.

2. There must always be time enough to baptize.

3. For some denominations, there must also be an ordained minister present to administer baptism.

This belief completely throws out the possibility of a death bed conversion. I have heard some say that God makes special allowances in times where there is neither water nor time to baptize. It is either by grace through faith or by grace through works. It can not be both. If one must be baptized by water, there will be numerous people who will not have the opportunity to be baptized and will be condemned to hell for there lack of water baptism. The scripture supports a position of salvation through faith alone which enables a person to be saved at any time, in any place, and in any circumstance.

Let me reiterate, if we affirm the need of baptismal regeneration, we would simply have to throw out countless scripture and base our doctrine on a handful of passages that are grey at best. Over the coming weeks we will examine a few of these scriptures that seem to contradict a belief in salvation by faith alone and supports a doctrine of baptismal regeneration. We will take a close look at the following passages: John 3:1-5; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; and 1 Peter 3:21.

It is my hope that in this first posting, I have placed before enough scripture to at least begin making a case that salvation is by faith alone. There are a few verses that seemingly contradict this teaching. However, when we examine these closely, believe that God will not contradict Himself, and interpret the more difficult passages in light of clearer passages, we will build a strong case and be able to have great confidence in the amazing doctrine of salvation through faith by God’s grace alone. Is God’s grace not amazing and sufficient enough to save?