Water Separates

There are a variety of views in the religious world about water baptism. Some believe it is unnecessary. Some call it a good work. Others describe it as an outward sign of an inward grace. The Scriptures teach that baptism plays a significant part in our personal salvation. Notice what Peter wrote:

“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, 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” (1 Peter 3:18-21).

Peter reminded his readers of the flood in Noah’s day and stated that it parallels baptism. In the time of the flood, there were two groups of people – those who were saved and those who were lost. The ones who were lost were those outside of the ark. The ones who were saved were those in the ark who “were brought safely through the water.” The water made a clear distinction between these two groups.

Peter then said that in the same way, “Baptism now saves you” – a statement which might come as a shock to many in the denominational world. Just as the flood waters separated the saved and the lost in Noah’s day, the waters of baptism make a clear separation today.

Baptism separates those who are saved from those who are lost (1 Peter 3:20-21).
Baptism separates those who have been forgiven of their sins from those who are yet in their sin (Acts 22:16).
Baptism separates the slaves of righteousness from the slaves of sin (Romans 6:16-18, 3-4).
Baptism separates those who are in the Lord’s church from those who are outside of the church (Acts 2:41, 47).
Baptism separates those who are in Christ from those who are outside of Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27).

When we look at the two groups, it is obvious where we should want to be – the group that is saved, forgiven, righteous, in the Lord’s church, and in Christ. The dividing line between them is in the waters of baptism. Do not let someone tell you that baptism is unimportant or unnecessary. Look at what the Bible teaches – baptism is essential for salvation.

This is not to say that baptism is the only thing that is necessary for our salvation. The prerequisites of baptism are belief (Mark 16:16), repentance (Acts 2:38), and confession (Acts 8:36-38). This way of salvation is made possible through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross (1 Peter 3:18). But none of these take away from the importance of baptism. Just as Noah and his family was saved “through the water,” we are saved through the waters of baptism today.