Is water baptism involved in salvation?
No, there are many clear verses showing otherwise. Among the most clarifying is this passage, which shows a procedure starting with baptism of the Holy Ghost (which happens when someone is saved) followed by baptism in water:
To bring in another Apostle, what was Paul's mission from Jesus?
Proponents of baptismal regeneration also promote John 3:5 to strengthen their case:
And these two baptisms (of water and of the Spirit) are shown to be different and independent elsewhere:
Some people will also bring up verses like Acts 2:38, saying that water baptism is required for the remission of sins because the word "for" makes that necessary:
We find another verse that's used to teach baptismal regeneration in Mark 16:16:
Yet another verse used by the baptismal regeneration camp is the one where Paul says there's one baptism. I think this is, from the context, talking about what unites Christians:
Lastly, there's a verse comparison that disproves baptismal regeneration.
See how Jesus suggests that water baptism is a work of righteousness:
So, to summarize and repeat a bit, when you believe the gospel your sins are forgiven and you're baptized by the Holy Ghost. Then you have the option of being baptized in water.
I'm not saying water baptism isn't important and something I think God wants us to do, but that it is separate from and should only come after salvation. It seems to be a symbol of how we have died as Christ died on the cross (when we go into the water), were buried as Christ was (are in the water), and will rise again as Christ did (come out of the water). And the person baptising the believer represents Christ. It lets others know about what's happened to us. And that's good to do, as one of the best things we can do in this world is to reach out to others for God and to get them saved, too.
- ¶ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (Acts 10:44-48)
- And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. (Acts 8:36-38)
To bring in another Apostle, what was Paul's mission from Jesus?
- ¶ For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (1 Corinthians 1:17)
Proponents of baptismal regeneration also promote John 3:5 to strengthen their case:
- Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)
- Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (John 3:4)
- That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:6-7)
And these two baptisms (of water and of the Spirit) are shown to be different and independent elsewhere:
- And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. (Mark 1:7-8)
- For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5)
- Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as [he did] unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? (Acts 11:14-17)
Some people will also bring up verses like Acts 2:38, saying that water baptism is required for the remission of sins because the word "for" makes that necessary:
- Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38)
- ¶ And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on [his] face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth [his] hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. (Luke 5:12-14)
- ¶ And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth [his] hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. (Mark 1:40-44)
We find another verse that's used to teach baptismal regeneration in Mark 16:16:
- He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:16)
Yet another verse used by the baptismal regeneration camp is the one where Paul says there's one baptism. I think this is, from the context, talking about what unites Christians:
- ¶ With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:2-6)
- For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)
Lastly, there's a verse comparison that disproves baptismal regeneration.
See how Jesus suggests that water baptism is a work of righteousness:
- ¶ Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer [it to be so] now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. (Matthew 3:13-15)
- Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5)
So, to summarize and repeat a bit, when you believe the gospel your sins are forgiven and you're baptized by the Holy Ghost. Then you have the option of being baptized in water.
I'm not saying water baptism isn't important and something I think God wants us to do, but that it is separate from and should only come after salvation. It seems to be a symbol of how we have died as Christ died on the cross (when we go into the water), were buried as Christ was (are in the water), and will rise again as Christ did (come out of the water). And the person baptising the believer represents Christ. It lets others know about what's happened to us. And that's good to do, as one of the best things we can do in this world is to reach out to others for God and to get them saved, too.
- Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)