Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:15-16
He who believes and is baptized will be saved.
He who does not believe will be condemned.
Two true statements, but why did Jesus word it that way? What about the person who believes, but is not baptized?
Without tackling the precise question of whether a person is saved before or after baptism, I think we can see from the Bible that baptism is important.
First Peter 3:20-21 tells us that the flood was a “type” of baptism when “eight souls were saved through water.” It was important to be on the ark when the flood came.
Colossians 2:11-12 describes baptism as the new circumcision. It is the physical act that shows we belong to Christ. It was important to be circumcised under the law of Moses. (Well, for the men, but you can only take an analogy so far, and it’s God’s analogy, not mine.)
That same passage describes baptism as a burial, and it seems to me, by the way, that you wouldn’t bury someone by sprinkling dirt on them. When someone dies, it’s important to bury them.
Romans 6:3ff describes baptism as a burial as well as a resurrection. It was important for Jesus to die for our sins, and it was equally important that he rise from the dead. In baptism, “just as Christ was raised from the dead,” we are raised to “walk in newness of life,” (Romans 6:4). As Jesus told Nicodemus, “you must be born again,” (John 3:7).
Baptism also symbolizes cleansing and washing; “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,” (1 Peter 3:2) but the washing away of sin (Acts 22:16). Purity in God’s sight is important.
So what about the believer who has not been baptized? And I have met a handful of people through the years who have been active in their faith for many years, yet who have not been baptized.
To them I would say that baptism is not just important; it is a command.
“…be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ…” Acts 2:38
“…he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord…” Acts 10:48
“…And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized…” Acts 22:16
Many people point to the thief on the cross as someone who was saved without ever being baptized. But how do we know he wasn’t baptized? He may have been baptized with the baptism of John, which was the only baptism available to him. Before Jesus’s death, baptism into Christ wasn’t a thing. The thief couldn’t be “baptized into [Christ’s] death” (Romans 6:3) before that death had occurred.
There are many kinds of baptism mentioned in the Bible, but the baptism of John is no longer sufficient (cf. Acts 18:24-26; 19:1-6). The baptism of the Holy Spirit was a gift, not a command (cf. Acts 11:15-17). And other baptisms are merely metaphorical, such as the baptism of suffering. The one that is commanded is water baptism into Christ (cf. Acts 10:47-48; Galatians 3:27).
So, if you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, but you haven’t been baptized, what are you waiting for? Don’t disobey a command for the sake of making a theological point.
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice. 1 Samuel 15:22
Jesus did not say, “He who believes but is not baptized will be condemned.” But I also notice that the Jews in Acts 2 didn’t say, “Peter, we believe and that’s enough. We’re not going to be baptized right now because it’s not necessary.” An unwillingness to be baptized wouldn’t exactly have demonstrated faith (cf. James 2:18).
Those who gladly received his word were baptized. Acts 2:41
Baptism is a command and it symbolizes many things. Symbolism is important. And so is obedience.
And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16
by Christie Cole Atkins
Dear Heavenly Father, we ask you to work in us as we seek to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12-13). Give us the will and means to obey You in faith even when we don’t understand. Deliver us from evil. Purify our hearts. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Related Reading:
Walk Worthy 