Blood?
or
Baptism?
Which Way Too Salvation?
An exhaustive study into what saves us.
Grace or works?
By the Blood of Jesus Christ?
or
By Water Baptism?
written by
Daniel Shawley
Blood? or Baptism?
Which Way Too Salvation?
October 6th, 2011
Dear Mom,
I have just spent quite a few hours prayerfully studying the doctrine of salvation again. In the next few pages of this letter I will do my best to explain both sides of this most important doctrine as I have studied and learned. I am going to write a very simple formula that I want you to keep in mind as you read through this study. Ready?
Commandment = Law = Works = Death/Hell
Or
Jesus Christ = The Cross/Blood = Free Gift = Life/Heaven
As you well know man has never been able to keep the commandments of God’s law. Since sin entered into the world a blood sacrifice has been required to cover man and his sin. Read Hebrews 9:11-22. 11 “But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you. 21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”
It says that blood is required and it talks about animal sacrifice not being everlasting or eternal but how Christ was the one without spot, perfect, sinless, and that his blood atonement is eternal.
I will start out with the some of the key scriptures that the Pentecostal church believes to support salvation through baptism. After each verse I will write an explanation of each of the verses directly out of the Greek text. I have used the Original Greek Text, KJV Key Word Study Bible, and Strong’s Concordance as my references to this study. I will show you the definitions represented by a number in the verse. The word baptize has several different meanings or emphasis in the Greek text. Here are the definitions of the ones used in the verses we will cover but all definitions in the Greek from 907-911 all say that its meaning is ceremonial.
907, baptizo, to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N.T.) of ceremonial ablution (definition for ablution: the washing of one's body or part of it (as in a religious rite), derived from 911-bapto
908, baptisma, baptism, from 907
911, bapto, a prim. Verb; to whelm, i.e. cover wholly with a fluid; in the N.T. only in a qualified of specific sense, i.e. (literal) to moisten (a part of one’s person), or (by implication) to stain (as with dye): - dip
Acts 2:38, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized(907) everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” The main verb in this verse is metanoesate, meaning “repent.” This refers to that initial repentance of a sinner unto salvation. The verb translated “be baptized” is in the indirect passive imperative of baptizo (907) which means that it does not have the same force as the direct command of “repent.” The preposition “for” in the phrase “for remission of sins” in Greek is eis, “unto.” Literally, it means “for the purpose of identifying you with the remission of sins.” The same preposition is used in 1 Corinthians 10:2 in the phrase “and were all baptized unto [eis] Moses.” These people were identifying themselves with the work and ministry of Moses. Repentance is something that concerns an individual and God, while baptism is intended to be a testimony to other people. That is why baptistheto, “to be baptized,” is in a passive voice indicating that one does not baptize himself, but he is baptized by another usually in the presence of others.
Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized(907) shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” The word “believeth” is pisteusas,an aorist participle referring to one who has believed at some time in the past. Also, baptistheis(907), translated “is baptized,” is an aorist participle but in a passive voice. This form refers to an act of outward obedience, in this case, baptism. Therefore, the correct translation here should be stated, “He who believed and who was baptized shall be saved.” However, the Lord adds, “…but that believeth not shall be damned.” It should be noted that this negative statement does not include a reference to baptism, making it clear that what saves a person is living faith in Jesus Christ. This is made clear in Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith…” The word “saved” is translated from the Greek word sesosmenoi, which is a perfect passive participle. It means that this salvation took place at some point in the past and is continuing on in the present, being accomplished by Jesus Christ Himself. If baptism were necessary for salvation, Ephesians and many other verses should have been translated “ye are saved through faith and baptism.” There are examples in the NT of people who were baptized for selfish reasons, rather than for the purpose of demonstrating their inner, saving faith in Christ (Luke 3:7-9, the Pharisees: Acts 8:9-25, Simon). Baptism is a distinct act of obedience apart from salvation. This is clarified by the order in which the words “believe” and “baptize” occur in the text.
I Peter 3:20-21, “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism(908) doth also now save us (not the putting away of filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” The expression “baptism doth also now save” should be understood in light of verse twenty: “eight souls were saved by water.” Noah and his family, being in the ark, were able to pass safely “through” the waters (seen in the Greek dia). In the same way, the term “baptism” (v.21) should be understood as the visible representation of deliverance through Christ, just as the ark represented deliverance from the waters of the Flood. When a person accepts Christ, he is saved; when the believer is baptized, he is identified with the One who has delivered him (i.e. Jesus Christ).
Also in v.21 if you take out the parentheses and read the verse again it makes the underlying point easier to see. “The like figure whereunto even baptism(908) doth also now save us by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” The “like figure” means figurative, a picture, or a model. The “resurrection” refers to the part of baptism where a person is submerged and raised up as was Jesus Christ being made a new creature or being. It is meaning a strictly visual representation of transformation, being washed by His Blood.
Acts 8:36-38, “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?(907) And Phillip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Phillip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” Belief in Christ and a change of heart always comes first. Baptism is always placed secondary. Always.
So with the few verses that I mentioned here I have tried to explain them as simplistically as I could by using the original Greek text and plain reading. Next are some questions that baptism salvation cannot answer and then I’ll get into my supporting scriptures.
· Why did Jesus get baptized? To give us the model and to set or be the example. Just like the “Lord’s Prayer” he gave us that to act as a guide or example that we could grasp and follow.
· Was Jesus a sinner in need of salvation? Absolutely not, He was the perfect spotless lamb. There was no sin found in him.
· Why didn’t Jesus baptize himself? Again, he was giving us the perfect example. The ceremony of baptism is to be done by one person baptizing the other usually in front of other people to be a witness and testimony of their faith in Christ as their personal Savior.
· Why did Jesus die an extremely horrible painful death shedding His precious life Blood if water could wash away sins? Remember the formula I gave you at the beginning? Here is one place where it definitely applies. Galatians 3:21, “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.” Reread Galatians 3:21. “…for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.” Reread it again, meditate and pray on it for awhile. Don’t go past this verse. Let it sink in. “if”, “could have”, and “should have”, what powerful, extremely meaningful, and revealing words which state plainly that salvation is not by any law.
· What about the thief on the cross? The thief hanging on the cross next to Jesus was not baptized. Yet Jesus told him in Luke 23:43, “Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” Why? Why was the thief on the cross the exception to the rule if baptism is what saves us?
· What about the devil and demons? They believe and know first handed that Jesus is Lord yet they seek not the redemption of baptism to get themselves back into heaven. Why? Because baptism does not save. It is knowing that we are sinners and asking to be forgiven, believing that Jesus paid the total price of a debt that we are unable to by the shedding of his blood, and believing that He overcame death and is risen sitting on the right hand of God the Father. Salvation is not knowledge or baptism it is a transformation of one’s heart.
· Why doesn’t “John the Baptist” barely even mention baptism in his book of the Gospel? He was “John the Baptist” yet he only briefly mentions baptism in his Gospel book. Wouldn’t you think that he would preach more on salvation through baptism if this doctrine was a saving one. I found this extremely interesting and so I followed up the study with the remaining books of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). In each of the other books of the Gospel John is mentioned briefly in the fact that he was baptizing men with water before the coming of Jesus. All of the Gospel’s mention that there was confession of sins (repentance) and a profession of faith. All of the uses of the word baptism or baptized were translated out of the Greek as the definitions that I gave at the beginning of this study as being a ceremony or ritual of an outward showing of obedience. John says in John 1:33, “And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.” Notice that John didn’t say that it was for salvation. In Acts 1:5 Jesus says, “For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” Many times this verse is interpreted to mean that the Holy Spirit did the baptizing. The correct understanding of this, however, is that the Holy Spirit is the element of baptism just as water was the element of baptism of John. This is the fifth time that the phrase, “baptized with the Holy Ghost,” occurs in the N.T. (see Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; and John 1:33). In each of the previous four instances Jesus Christ is said to be the One performing the baptism.
Romans 8:24-25, “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for what we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Baptism for salvation is something that can be seen, touched, and felt. So why would you still need faith and hope? Ceremonial baptism is meant to be seen especially by others to show the faith that you have put on/in Jesus Christ.
I Corinthians 1:17, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” Paul here is saying that preaching salvation through the cross of Christ is more important than baptism. Why would God allow such a heresy (false teaching/doctrine) in the Bible if it weren’t true. The cross should always be put before baptism, always.
Luke 24:46-47, “And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Jesus is talking to his disciples after his resurrection here before departing to heaven. He told them that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations.” If baptism was so crucially important for salvation why didn’t He mention it here? Why would Jesus himself neglect to mention this saving doctrine if baptism saves?
Why would the N.T. teach so much about Jesus’ blood if salvation through baptism were true? Blood is mentioned in the Bible nearly 400 times while baptize/baptized/baptism is only mentioned approximately 80 times.
The book of Acts was designed as a guide used to set up the future and coming Church. It set up guidelines on their ceremonies and rituals and told the church what was expected of them concerning their actions. The book of Romans however, was given to be the guidelines to salvation. The book of Romans is often referred to as “Salvation Road.” Acts does mention baptism repeatedly, but, as a model for the church or speaking of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. While Romans mentions salvation, redemption, atonement, and the Blood of Christ more than any other book in the Bible.
In this next passage it speaks about the blood of Jesus Christ being the only way of salvation. Romans 3:21-31, “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; v.22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: v.23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; v.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: v.25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; v.26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. v.27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. v.28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. v.29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: v.30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. v.31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.” Verses 24 and 25 clearly and plainly states that the redemption power is through Jesus’ blood.
Romans 5:8-11, “8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.” Verse 9 says, “…being justified by his blood, we shall be saved…” and v.10 “…we shall be saved by his life.” and v.11 “…by whom we have now received the atonement.” Again the Word of God states it plainly on how we must be saved.
Romans 5:17-21, 17 “For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” This passage is speaking of how by Adam (one man) death was passed onto all men and that by Jesus (one man) the gift of salvation through his life was passed onto all men who would receive it.
Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death: but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” God will allow us to pay our own sin debt, however, it can never be repaid in full so the end result is an eternity in hell. Man could never do enough good works to outweigh his sinful heart. That is where God’s free gift of salvation comes in. God knows that we could never repay such a debt as this. Salvation is a work of the Spirit, not a work of the body. There are too many other scriptures that say we are saved by grace and faith and not of works just for this reason. Man thinks he can make his way to heaven through his actions and works. Since the very beginning man has tried to reach God and heaven by his own means and terms (i.e. Cain in Genesis, and the tower of Babel to just name a few). Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
Romans 11:6, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.”
Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Acts 15:11, “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
II Timothy 1:9, “Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”
II Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Jesus says here that his “grace is sufficient” for us. If baptism saved us he would have to say here that his grace is insufficient without baptism.
In the next few verses that I’m about to show you we will see how only the Blood and repentance of our sins are mentioned for salvation to take place. It’s a regeneration of the spirit first through the Blood of Christ.
I Corinthians 15:3, “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.”
Romans 10:9-10,13, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. v.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. v.13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
I John 1:7,9, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin. v.9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The “blood” “cleanseth us from all sin” and He “forgive us our sins” and “cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The little three letter word here (all) speaks profound volumes of doctrine that can’t be dismissed or overlooked. The cleansing from sin here is by the “blood” of Jesus and not of water by baptism.
I John 5:11-13, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” If baptism saved us this passage would be a lie placed in God’s Holy Word. It says “believe on the name of the Son of God” to “know that ye have eternal life.” Where does salvation through baptism fit into this passage?
Hebrews 9:26, “...he hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
Colossians 1:14, Speaking about Jesus, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
Ephesians 1:7, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”
Galatians 1:4, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”
Galatians 2:16, “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” Remember the formula at the beginning. What is baptism? A work.
Galatians 2:20-21, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Remember on page #4 of this letter what I wanted you to stop and meditate and pray on? It was Galatians 3:21, and it goes perfectly hand in hand with Galatians 2:21. It said, “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.” If baptism could save anyone, and I mean anyone, then Christ died in vain. His death would have been completely unnecessary.
John 6:25-59 is a passage where Jesus is teaching and speaking about the “Bread of Life.” Please take the time to read this passage in its entirety. I will list just a couple of key verses here but the entire passage is key. In v.47 Jesus says, “…He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” v.48, “I am the bread of life.” v.51, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I give is my flesh, which I give for the life of the world.” v.58, “This is the bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live forever.” Again Jesus is speaking about himself as a living sacrifice which we must accept to live forever in heaven. In this entire passage he never once mention baptism.
John 4:1-42 in the story of the Samaritan Woman, Jesus refers to himself as the “living water.” John 11:25-26, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live again: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
Acts 4:12, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
John 19:30, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head and gave up the ghost.” Jesus completed the necessary atonement for sin by shedding his blood and dying on the cross. To say that baptism saves goes against the scripture and its context and is sending countless numbers of people to hell because they have a false assurance of salvation and heaven in a works salvation. The Bible gives numerous warnings against false teachers, false prophets, and false doctrines which are not of God. Matthew 18:6-7 Jesus says, “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offenses! for it must need be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!” This warning is not just speaking about the offense of children but also believers. We are Christ’s “little ones.” Then in Colossians 2:8 it says, “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” II Thessalonians 2:3, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;” II Peter 2:1-8, “1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. 4 For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; 7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)”
Hebrews 12:2, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Again, Jesus is the “author and finisher.” He is the beginning and the end. He is the Alpha and Omega. When he says in John 19:30, “It is finished:” I have to believe that he completed his perfect sacrifice (blood required atonement) to God so that we (the world) might be saved through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The scriptures scream at us that it was the blood that saves us!
I have written this letter out of great love for you, God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the Word of God. And so in conclusion, I have spent countless hours in prayer and study objectively viewing both sides of this argument. I have asked God to guide me with wisdom through his word and I believe he has done just that. The more studying and prayer I did the more God opened my eyes to His truth. Why would Jesus die on the cross and give his life blood if a water baptism ceremony could bring forth life and save a lost and sinful world? The very first sin in this world required a blood sacrifice and each sin since then has carried the cost/debt. I am praying that you will read this letter thoughtfully, prayerfully, and seek God’s perfect wisdom.
With Much Love and In Christ Jesus,
Your Son,
Daniel
P.S.
On one other note, I looked up the way we are to be baptized (the name or names in which we are to be baptized under/through). Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” We are to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Jesus said it himself.
