IS BAPTISM IN JESUS NAME A WORK?
Some people say,“But baptism in Jesus name is a ‘work’ and we are not saved by works…we are saved by faith alone according to the Bible"!
First, we must consider what the definition of a “work” is that we are using. If one defines baptism a “work” then we must also label believing a “work”. We must also label repenting a “work”. Believing and repenting are boththings -we must DO as a prerequisite to salvation. They are both things that require human action. Baptism in Jesus name is merely the last part of that equation. James tells us he will show us his faith by what he does.
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. -James 2:17
It must be remembered that although baptism is something we must do (like believing and repenting), baptism in Jesus name is an act of faith, not a “work.” It must also be noted that the one at “work” when we are baptized is God, not us. According to Colossians 2:12.
For Example: Just as we must report to the hospital before a surgeon can operate on us, so too, we must “report to God’ in the waters of baptism, submitting to God and claiming His promise so that our sins will be forgiven. Just as it is the surgeon who is the one who is at work when we are operated on, so too, it is God who is the one who is at work when we undergo baptism.
Baptism in Jesus name is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It is part of our New birth (John 3:3-5; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16;Gal 3:27; Romans 6:3-5). Baptism is not an on going process such as feeding the poor, or clothing the homeless or offering sacrifices as they did under the Old Covenant. Doing good deeds cannot earn us eternal life.
Baptism is a manifestation of faith ( Mark 16:15-16; Acts 22:16; Gal 3;26-27; Acts 2:37-41). It is not Man who is at work in baptism; it is God. Baptism is not a “work of righteousness.” On the contrary, if anything, it should be considered a work of Unrighteousness.
Remember. We are baptized in Jesus name because we are corrupt, unrighteous and spiritually dead in sin. This is why we are buried with HIM into DEATH as explained in Romans 6. It is the DEAD that are buried, not the living.
But God has always measured faith by our actions, as James 2:17-26 tells us:
Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. But, someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith apart from works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one. You do well. Even the demons believe -- and shudder. But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith apart from works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Do you see how faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which says, Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness, and he was called Friend of God. You see, then, that out of works is man declared righteous, and not out of faith only; And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way? For as the body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Did you catch that? There are many who teach one is saved by “faith alone,” but there is only one place in the bible where the phrase “faith alone” is found—James 2:24. And it states very plainly we are NOT saved by faith alone!!!
“You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.”
It is faith (or belief) that causes us to respond to God’s Word--the Gospel message. It is faith in God’s Word, that tells us Christ died in our place and rose again, that causes us to believe. It is our belief in God’s Word that causes us to turn from our sins and repent. It is our belief in God’s Word that causes us to go into the water in repentance for the purpose of having our sins forgiven and “washed away.” And it is in this manner that it can be said we are saved by faith. If we believe God’s Word about His salvation plan and respond accordingly, only then it can be said we are saved by our faith—because it is faith that acts as the catalyst to our response (repentance and baptism). If we do not believe, then we will not repent, nor will we go down into the water for the purpose of having our sins forgiven.
It must always be emphasized that baptism is an act in which God works, not Man. This happens through faith in God’s Word—Jesus. In baptism we, the dead, are joined with Christ into His death. Then, being united with Him together in this death and burial, just as Christ arose from the dead, so too, He brings us up, still unified as one, with Him to resurrected life.
Those that have been misled into thinking baptism is a “work” and one only need say a prayer to be saved, must realize that baptism is no more a “work” than is saying the “sinner’s prayer” or “praying Jesus into your heart.”
Furthermore, it must be clarified what is meant by the term, “work”. And we must define the phrase-- “not saved by works” if we are going to debate it. Few would argue the work of the Calvary saves us. However, no work of ourselves can save us. Only the work of God can do that. So in the argument –“we are not saved by works…” it must be clarified that what is really meant is-- “we are not saved by works of ourselves”. But the Word of God does not ascribe baptism to that as being a work of man. The Scriptures credit baptism to that as being the work of God. Accordingly, we ARE saved by works—it’s just that the “work” isn't ours; It’s the work of God!
READ- Colossians 2:12:
And you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
REMEMBER! Again, baptism in Jesus name is not our work, it is His!
In speaking about marriage, Jesus said, “So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together let not man separate." –Matthew 19:6.
So. Jesus sees marriage as something God does, not man. And so it is with baptism.Just as the Lord tells us it is God Himself who is the one who does the joining in marriage, so too, baptism is viewed in the same way. It is God who joins us with Christ in baptism.
Just as marriage is a spiritual union between a man and a woman that God gets the credit for, so too, baptism in Jesus name-- is a spiritual union (between Christ and man) that God gets the credit for because it is God who does the joining.Ephesians 5:30-32 For we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church.And Christ frequently portrayed Himself as the Bridegroom. In the book of Revelation, the church is portrayed as the bride. This indeed, is profound.
Key Point To Remember!
• The Epistles (letters) are written to Christians, i.e., people who have already been baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-5, 1Cor 12:13).
• The Epistles contain instructions to Christians and give instructions on how to remain in Christ and grow in Christ. The book of Acts gives examples of people who are not Christians becoming Apostolic Christians. This is a great mistake many people make. They take instructions in the epistles on faith and apply them to conversion. But these verses do not relate to conversion, but to the converted.
• Once a person has been baptized into Christ, all the passages about faith and grace then apply.
• In other words, once a person has been baptized into Christ- after he obeyed Acts 2:38; John 3:5;Gal 3;27, it can be said their faith is what continues to maintain their salvation.
Obey Acts 2:38 to become a true Christian!
LIVE FOREVER-obey ACTS 2:38!
May God blesses you all abundantly!
Bro. Paogin Mangte,
President & Founder
Apostolic Theological Seminary New Delhi & OAPCI.
