NO WATER BAPTISM UNDER GRACE

By Edwin Christiaan | July 28, 2023 

The Christian church has a long-standing tradition of baptizing people in water when they convert to Christianity, often believing that God requires it for salvation. Some argue that it’s not strictly necessary for salvation but should be done shortly after receiving Christ. In certain churches, it even becomes a point of pride, with congregations boasting about how many people they have water baptized.

Under grace, however, we know that salvation has nothing to do with human actions or works.

“By GRACE you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV

We are saved because we believe in Jesus Christ, not because we have been water baptized.

OLD TESTAMENT WATER BAPTISM

Water baptism is an outward ceremony or ritual with roots in the Old Testament Law, primarily associated with purification and ceremonial cleansing. 

For example, under the Old Covenant Law, Moses performed washing rituals when dedicating and ordaining priests:

“Present Aaron and his sons at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and wash them with water.” 

Exodus 29:4 NLT 

(Dedication of priests) 

“Then he presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.”

Leviticus 8:6 NLT

(Ordination of priests)

The prophet Ezekiel also spoke of God cleansing His people from their sins:

“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols.”

Ezekiel 36:25 NLT 

Israel’s washing in water symbolized purification from pagan idol worship. This context helps us understand why John the Baptist’s ministry involved water baptisms - to symbolize Israel turning from idol worship to trusting in the Lord God.

NEW TESTAMENT 

Under the New Covenant of God’s grace, the old symbolic water baptism is no longer necessary because we are now baptized in the Holy Spirit.

Before His death, Jesus instructed His disciples to water baptize new believers:

“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”

Mark 16:15-16 NLT 

However, after His death and resurrection, salvation under the New Covenant comes solely through trusting in Christ:

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.”

Romans 10:9-11 NLT 

Notice that water baptism is not mentioned as a requirement for salvation. It is an outward act with no power of itself – under the New Covenant it is considered human effort.

WATER BAPTISM IN THE EARLY CHURCH

How do we know water baptism wasn’t a standard practice in the First Church under the New Covenant? In Acts 15, the apostles and elders gathered to discuss Jewish traditions, especially as Gentiles came to faith. 

They were learning to live by the power of the Holy Spirit rather than by outward rules. They determined certain requirements for believers - but water baptism was not among them:

“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these few requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell.”

Acts 15:28-29 NLT 

The Apostle Paul, fully grasping the principle of inward faith versus outward ritual, confirmed that under the Covenant of Grace, water baptism was unnecessary:

“For Christ did NOT send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel,…” 

I Corinthians 1:17 NKJV 

Even Jesus Himself did not water baptize anyone:

“Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did NOT baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee.”

John 4:1-3 NKJV 

John the Baptist also understood that water baptism was only a precursor to the true baptism to come - the baptism in the Holy Spirit:

“I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am - so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be His slave and carry His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

Matthew 3:11 NLT 

CONCLUSION

Water baptism was a practice derived from the Law, serving as an outward statement of faith under the Old Covenant. It represented purification and a clean conscience before God. Yet bathing in water only cleanses the body - it does not give power to overcome sin or our old nature.

Under grace, faith in Christ and confessing allegiance to Him is sufficient for salvation. No outward ritual is required. To empower us to live holy lives, Christ has given us the Holy Spirit. We are now fully immersed inwardly in the Spirit, and our bodies have become His temple. Glory to King Jesus!