Many denominations today clearly teach that Baptism (water immersion or sprinkling) is a necessary component of salvation.

In fact, most of the mainline Protestant denominations, let alone Catholicism, teach this.


Baptism, they say, is the “doorway” to Christ. Or the door by which a person enters into salvation. In Catholicism’s case, they believe this is the first step to enter into the “Church” – without which, they believe, there is no salvation.

Even as they preach about the importance of faith, they also require that one must be baptized in order to be saved. And then they add “good works” to the required mix.

Many groups add more “sacraments” such as the Lord’s Table (Communion according to most Protestants) or the Eucharist or the Eucharistic Celebration (according to Catholics, Episcopalians, etc.).

And although there are some differences in the ways that these sacraments are observed, they share the common heresy in teaching that there is some efficacy for forgiveness, cleansing, and salvation in these practices.

And while we’re at it, don’t forget about those who believe that the “confession of sins” to a priest (or an elder or some other authority), penance, good works, acts of contrition, tithing, church membership, confirmation, and a host of other things are also considered sacraments. Or are considered efficacious in cleansing from sin or in confirming one’s salvation.

So, what this all means is that salvation, according to them, is NOT simply by faith alone in Christ alone according to the Bible alone. But is actually based on a process of observing the sacraments.

Or “faith” in a kind of salvation through multiple installments.

A Dangerous “Casualness” Regarding Baptism

I recently observed a church conducting a mass Baptism in their parking lot. Where 100 people or more were baptized at the same time.

While this can be a very beautiful thing to witness and experience, the problem with this was that, during this service, the head pastor encouraged anyone who had been desiring to be baptized to join in right then and there. Inviting anyone in attendance who had been thinking of being baptized to join in.

He didn’t say that such people should speak to the church staff. Who would be happy to sit down and discuss this with them. Who would carefully explain what the Bible says about it. Which, by the way, would allow a pastor or other leaders to walk a person through God’s plan of salvation to confirm that a person had, in fact, already, without any doubt, trusted Christ as their Savior.

Who would establish that the potential baptize-ees were clearly settled in their faith.

And that their faith rested solely in Christ alone, by faith alone, according to the word of God alone.

And that they were not confused about salvation through good works. Nor through any ritual. Nor through the observance of any sacramental practice such as Communion, the Eucharist, or water Baptism.

The point being that counselors would be able, after weeks or months of instruction, to lead them step-by-step toward baptism. Which is a beautiful symbol of our salvation. And which often is a way for those in our family to observe the faith we are already established in. According to the Bible.

So that a person would be baptized after following a reasonable, quiet, confident process toward understanding this wonderful experience.

Spiritual Malpractice

When a leader of a church fails to deal with this properly, it creates a very serious problem.

Baptism was never meant to be some off-the-cuff, emotional experience that one should do without clearly understanding what he is doing. Nor turned into some mass religious event.

It is an extremely personal moment signifying a person’s clear, deep commitment to Christ – of that individual’s personal testimony of being crucified with Christ, dead to the law, dead to sin, and risen with Christ.

As well as being separated from the world. And a testimony to the world that a person now belongs to and identifies with Christ.

Timing Is Critical

It is critical to establish that baptism has nothing to do with salvation. Nothing.

It is an outward act that signifies the new birth that has already taken place. It is not meant to be something simultaneous with or having any influence upon our salvation.

It must never be done in close proximity to a person’s profession of faith. In order to avoid any confusion that baptism is somehow or in some way a component of or a requirement for salvation.

Or that being baptized is the same thing as being born again.

Because there are so many people coming from so many different backgrounds religiously that actually DO teach Baptismal Regeneration in some form. This false practice is everywhere.

The “Lightness” of the Pastors

Therefore, the Bible churches have a clear and serious duty not to confuse the issues. To be very clear in our teaching about Salvation in Christ.

What salvation truly IS and what it is NOT.

And not to shy away from making these distinctions – nor to avoid taking great care to be CLEAR in all that we teach. Because to fail to do this is a form of spiritual disobedience to the Lord. And, as far as church leadership is concerned, it is a form of pastoral malpractice.

We become guilty of sowing the seeds of confusion.

Our failure to do these things properly creates a great stumbling block for people.

And is actually a failure to show true Love toward those whom the Lord has given us to protect, to shepherd, and to nurture in the Lord.

We need to take a sober warning from Jeremiah 23:32. When the Lord rebuked many Old Testament priests, prophets, and scribes for their “lightness“ toward spiritual things.

Not unlike the easy-going, whimsical, and shallow leaders pastoring so many of our churches today.

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