In the book of Acts, we find Peter preaching that baptism is essential to salvation. Which is a lesson that those people who had gathered to hear Peter preach learned that day. And it is a lesson for anyone who has pondered the question is baptism essential too salvation? And we need to hear Peter's sermon, because in it are the worlds of life and godliness. In fact, those that had gathered to hear Peter preach at Pentecost began to asked of him and the rest of the Apostles “Men and brethren what must we do to be saved.” And there, Peter replied in (Acts 2:38) “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.”
We can rest and be assured that in Acts 2:38, God has given us a way to be cleansed from the spot and blemishes of sin. That is by getting in contact with the blood of Christ. We read about this in, (1Jn 5:6) “This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.” We come in contact with the blood of Christ and we identify with the Church, when we enter into that bath of regeneration often called baptism. (1 Pt 3:21) “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” We notice that Peter states that the reason why Noah and his household were saved was because they entered into the Ark and they were now safe from the flood waters. And like this Ark, the Church is also an Ark of safety, and that is because there is water in the plan.
Just like the first Ark where water was an essential part to the saving of Noah and his family. God's plan of redeming us from our sins. Also requires us too be added to the Church of Christ, that grand old ship of Zion where we can find refuge for our sins. And the only way that we can be added to the Church is by being baptized into water for the remission of our sins. In returning to the scene of Pentecost, after the Apostles had baptized those people that day; they were then added to the Church. We notice this in (Vs.47) “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” It is here in the scriptures that we find out that baptism not only adds us to the Church but baptism is essential to salvation.
Thank you for reading,
Gregory S. Robbins