Is Water Baptism Necessary for Salvation?

Doctrine Article - D.0008

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1. Many believe that water baptism is necessary for salvation, or for joining the church (neither is true). But, if water baptism is so important, then why did John the Baptist (speaking of Jesus) say, I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. BUT he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11)? (emphasis added)

2. Again, if water baptism is crucial to salvation, then why did the Apostle Paul say otherwise and not engage in baptizing people? He said in I Corinthians chapter 1:

14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

17 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.

3. As an example for us, Paul was arguably the most influential follower of Christ in the new testament, and yet he didn't baptize any, but for a handful of people. In fact, he was glad that he didn't baptize people. (How could a Christian be glad that he didn't baptize people, if doing so was a part of getting them saved?)

4. Paul couldn't have been any more plain about it (separating baptism from the gospel) than he was in this passage, I Cor 1:17 specifically, when he said, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:"

5. The word "but" is a conjunction that joins and sets in opposition two equal but distinct or opposing parts of speech. In this case, the two are: "to baptize" and "to preach" the gospel. The very language that Paul uses in this passage distinctively separates water baptism from the gospel (which is the plan of salvation).

Certainly, this alone should end the discussion of whether water baptism is necessary for salvation. [To understand what is meant then by "baptism" please go to our article on "baptism".]