Does Baptism Save Us?

Does baptism save us? Does it merit to us grace in any way? Different denominations answer this question with very different answers.

What does the Bible say? Is there a clear and definitive answer from the Scriptures on this important question. Perhaps the clearest answer to the question, “Does baptism save us?”, is found in Acts 10 in the narrative account of Peter and Cornelius.

Context of Acts:

Narrative account of the beginning of the New Testament Church.

Transitional book- beginning of the book No Church, Isreal still God’s program. By the end of the book of Acts Isreal had been set aside and God’s new program, the church, was fully in effect.

Church began at Pentecost- Acts 2.

Acts 10 is the first time Gentile believers are added to the church. It is a very significant event. So significant that it is repeated in detail three times in the book of Acts (10, 11, 15).

And through this very significant event of God adding Gentiles to the New Testament church we find a very clear answer to our question: Does Baptism Save Us?

I. The Vision of Cornelius (vv. 1-8)

Acts 10:1–8 ESV

1 At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, 2 a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms generously to the people, and prayed continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God come in and say to him, “Cornelius.” 4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and bring one Simon who is called Peter. 6 He is lodging with one Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7 When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, 8 and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.

Principle:

Acts 10:4 ESV

4 And he stared at him in terror and said, “What is it, Lord?” And he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God.

God delights in saving people! He wants to save not just Jews, but Gentiles.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

However, God is not going to force his gift of salvation upon anyone. We have to want God’s gift of salvation. And that means we have to have a heart that is seeking God.

We have to have a heart that is seeking God.

This is what Cornelius had. He did not have all the information. He didn’t know about Jesus Christ yet. He didn’t know about God’s plan of salvation. He had limited knowledge about God from his interaction with the Jewish people, but Cornelius responded positively to the information that he did have. He feared God, he prayed, he gave alms. He had a heart that was seeking and open to the Lord.

Illustration: Frustration of a pastor when he is trying to teach something and people get that glassy eyed far off look in their eyes. Why am I standing here trying to teach you something that you don’t want to hear? It’s not very fun. Then you have the people who are engaged. Who are following every word and want to hear more.

Hebrews 11:6 ESV

6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

What is our question? Does Baptism save us? Here is the first piece of the puzzle. The first thing that is necessary for salvation:

Principle #1: We must have a heart that is seeking God

II. The Vision of Peter (vv. 9-23)

Acts 10:9–23 ESV

9 The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven. 17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate 18 and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. 19 And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” 21 And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?” 22 And they said, “Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say.” 23 So he invited them in to be his guests. The next day he rose and went away with them, and some of the brothers from Joppa accompanied him.

Principle:

Acts 10:17 ESV

17 Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate

What is so significant about this verse? The soverign plan of God! The exact moment the vision ended for Peter and he is sitting on his roof perplexed!! At that precise moment the men sent by Cornelius stood at the gate. Think of the timing involved in this. Why did Cornelius send men to find Peter? Because the day before God sent an angel to Cornelius. Then God timed the vision of Peter down to the exact second so men would be standing at the gate exactly when Peter was inwardly perplexed about the vision! Who orchestrated all of that? God did! Why?

Who was Cornelius? He was a Gentile. What had never happened before? Gentiles had never been added to the church. This was God’s way of making things crystal clear to Peter that going to Cornelius, a Gentile, and telling him the good news of the gospel was exactly what God wanted him to do. This was God’s way of making sure Cornelius and his household came to faith in Jesus Christ. God was working from beginning to end.

Illustration: The last place I wanted to go to college when I graduated was a Bible College. Guess where I ended up? The last place I wanted to be, but that’s where God wanted me. It was go there or go flip burgers. And guess what happened the first week of Bible College? I heard the gospel. God challenged my heart about repentance and I turned from my sin and turned to Christ.

What is our question? Does Baptism save us? Here is the second piece of the puzzle. What does this text tell us about salvation?

Principle #2: Salvation, from beginning to end, is all because of God’s grace

Titus 3:4–5 ESV

4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,

III. Peter’s Abbreviated Sermon (vv. 24-46)

Acts 10:24–45 ESV

24 And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. 25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. 26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered. 28 And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. 29 So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.” 30 And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing 31 and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. 32 Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ 33 So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.” 34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” 44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.

Acts 10:46 (ESV)

46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.

Principle:

Acts 10:44 ESV

44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.

What does it mean, “the Holy Spirit fell on them”? They got saved! Explain again visible expression of the baptism of the HS, and speaking in tongues. It was an irrefutable sign that Cornelius and his household got saved.

Who does the text say got saved? Who did the HS fall upon? ALL WHO HEARD THE WORD!

Notice also the beginning of the verse, “While Peter was still saying these things...”

Peter is in the middle of his sermon. He didn’t even get to finish. But what Peter said in his sermon was enough for the Holy Spirit to fall upon Cornelius and all who heard the word. What exactly did Peter say?

Acts 10:39–40 (ESV)

39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear,

This is what we call the gospel: Death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is the way God has provided for us His free gift of salvation.

What else did Peter say?

Acts 10:40–43 ESV

40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

This was enough information! As soon as Peter explained the basics of the gospel to Cornelius and his household, as soon as he explained that a person gets saved by believing in Jesus Christ. And that everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through his name, Cornelius and everyone who heard the word were saved. They received forgiveness for their sins, and were given the gift of eternal life.

What is our question? Does Baptism save us? Here is the third piece of the puzzle. What does this text tell us about salvation?

Principle #3: God’s gift of salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ alone

Illustration: When I was a kid I prayed the sinners prayer over and over again, because I was worried I didn’t do it right. I was worried I didn’t say the right words. I can’t tell you how many people have expressed the same doubts to be over the years. But, Cornelius did pray at all! Peter was still in the middle of his sermon and Cornelius and all those who heard the words of Peter, when they believed in them they were saved.

Romans 10:9 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:10 ESV

10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Romans 10:17 ESV

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

IV. The Believers Baptism (vv. 46-48)

Acts 10:46–48 ESV

46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Principle:

Acts 10:47 ESV

47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?”

Who are “these people”? According to v. 44- “All who heard the Word” And they didn’t just hear the word, they believed! They put their trust in Jesus alone for the forgiveness of their sins. And they moment they did that they were saved, the HS fell upon them.

Now, after these people have already been saved, Peter asks the question, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have (already) received the HS just as we have?”

Clearly their baptism came after their salvation and added nothing to their salvation. They believed first and were saved the moment they believed and then there were baptized.

What is our question? Does Baptism save us? Here is the fourth piece of the puzzle. What does this text tell us about salvation and baptism?

Principle #4: In the Bible, baptism always occurs after salvation

So why get baptized? That is an entire different sermon!

1). Because Jesus commanded it. Baptism is a step of obedience.

2). Because baptism is a picture of the gospel. It is a way of publically declaring to the world what you are trusting in for your salvation. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

3). It is a way to identify yourself as a disciple / follower of Jesus Christ. It is a public declaration to other people that you believe in Jesus and now you want to follow Jesus with the rest of your life.

Application:

Does Baptism Save Us? Clearly the biblical answer to that question is, NO!

Have you been trusting in your baptism to save you? Or some other work of righteousness?

Do you need to believe in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins?

Do you need to be baptized? It is a clear NT command given by Jesus Christ to those who believe in Him. There is no such thing as an unbaptized believer in the NT. The patter is always, believe and then be baptized. Do you need to follow the command of Jesus Christ and be baptized?