Can One Be a Christian Without Having Been Baptized?

The denominational world has different opinions about baptism. Many believe it is a “work” that is in no way associated with our salvation. Some will call it “an outward sign of an inward grace” – in other words, it is a sign that one has already been saved. Some may practice baptism as an entrance into membership into a denominational body. Though there are many different ideas about baptism, the denominational world generally agrees on one point – they reject baptism as a requirement for salvation. Even though they might practice baptism (at least in some form), they would say that one could be a Christian even without water baptism.

However, the Scriptures plainly emphasize the importance of baptism and its connection with salvation:

“He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

“Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38).

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:27-29).

“Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you…” (1 Peter 3:21).

Other passages could also be cited on this point. But it is amazing that there can be such a difference between what the Bible teaches about baptism and what those who claim to be Christians say about baptism. So in this article, I want us to consider the question: Can one be a Christian without having been baptized?

Three Uses of the Term “Christian”

If we are to answer the question of whether or not one might be a Christian, yet unbaptized, let us consider the three passages that use the term Christian.

• “And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year, they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). The fact that they were called Christians indicates a divine calling (cf. Isaiah 62:2). God gave this name to those who were disciples. Notice what Jesus said about the process of making disciples – which was certainly going on in Antioch at this time: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Becoming a disciple included (and still includes) being baptized into Christ. Those in Antioch who were called Christians had first been baptized.
• “Agrippa replied to Paul, ‘In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.’ And Paul said, ‘I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains’” (Acts 26:28-29). Agrippa recognized that Paul was trying to convince him to become a Christian, which is what Paul said that he was. If Paul was a Christian, how did he become one? In telling of his conversion earlier, Paul shared what Ananias told him: “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16). Though Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus and he prayed fervently when he arrived in the city (Acts 9:3-11), Paul had not yet been forgiven when Ananias came to him. He was not yet saved because he still needed to call on the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13), which is accomplished in baptism (Acts 22:16). Paul was trying to persuade Agrippa to become a Christian just as he was by being baptized into Christ.
• “But if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name” (1 Peter 4:16). Peter wrote to these brethren to encourage them to remain faithful even in the face of persecution. But who were these Christians? They had been “born again” (1 Peter 1:23) – a reference to baptism (cf. John 3:3, 5) – and had been saved through baptism (1 Peter 3:21).

In every instance that the term Christian is used in the New Testament, it refers to people who had been baptized into Christ. It is never used of those who had not yet been baptized.

Other Passages to Consider

To further emphasize this point, notice what the following passages say about baptism:

• “Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?” (Romans 6:3; cf. Galatians 3:27). Paul says we are baptized into Christ. Can one be a Christian, but not be in Christ?
• “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free…” (1 Corinthians 12:13). Baptism puts one into the body of Christ, which is the church (cf. Ephesians 1:22-23; Acts 2:41, 47). Can one be a Christian, but not be in the Lord’s body?
• “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:38). Peter said that baptism was for (in order to obtain) forgiveness. Can one be a Christian without having been forgiven of sins?
• “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 3:21). Peter is clear. He does not say that baptism does not save (which is generally what denominational preachers will say). He says that baptism does save. Can one be a Christian, but not be saved?

Who would argue that one could be a Christian without being in Christ, in His body, forgiven, or saved? No one! Yet each one of these is inseparably connected with baptism.

Conclusion

While baptism is certainly not the only thing associated with our salvation, it is absolutely a requirement for one to become a Christian. Many call themselves Christians today, but would God call them Christians as He did with the disciples in Antioch? If you have not been baptized – yet you believe that Jesus is the Christ (John 8:24; Mark 16:16), are willing to confess that faith (Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38) and repent of your sins (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 2:38) – why not take the next step and be baptized into Christ?