Does baptism save us?

In order to interpret different verses in the Bible, we must follow some rules. For example, we must see if they are meant to be understood literally or as figures of speech. It is obvious that verses must be seen in their context. Also, many times when some verses convey just one side of a truth, they can be understood properly only when we place them along with other verses, perhaps from elsewhere in the Bible. Let us look at some examples.

"Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life" (Ro.6:4). On first glance it appears as if this is saying that it is baptism that buries us with Christ and what will bring us into newness of life. If this interpretation is true, it will mean that baptism is an absolute necessity for salvation. Some people interpret it even to mean that if they can get someone to be baptised, that is how that person can be saved.

Now we know from other parts of the Bible that salvation is through faith and not through anything we do (Ep.2:8,9). This is actually illustrated with two clear examples in the Bible. The Gentile Cornelius was 'saved', followed by being filled with the Holy Spirit proving that he has been saved, as he listened to Peter presenting the Gospel. It was only afterwards that he was baptised. Baptism was not what saved him but his faith in Jesus (Ac.10:47,48).

There was this criminal on the cross next to Jesus who was promised being with Jesus in Paradise, after he repented and believed in Jesus. If baptism was necessary for salvation, this could not have been. So what did Paul mean when he wrote about baptism? Once we understand that baptism is not a requirement for salvation, we can then understand that this is what we signify or testify to when we get baptised, that our old man is buried and we are now going into a new life with Christ.

Using the picture of Noah and his family being saved from the flood through the ark, Peter says, "-- baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1Pe.3:21). People mistakenly take it to mean that baptism is required for salvation. He is actually saying only that baptism is an appeal to God for a good conscience. When we already know that baptism is not what gives us a good conscience but it is faith, we must try to understand it right. Is not baptism an outward expression of our desire to live now onwards with a good conscience?

"He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned" (Mk.16:16). The first part may look as if baptism is required for salvation. But the second part points out that faith is the issue. When we see salvation as an ongoing process, remember that Jesus Himself gave us an example (Mt.3:14,15), and command (Mt.28:19,20).