Those who make disciples must understand the purpose of baptism. Part of making disciples is not only teaching them, but also baptizing them (Matthew 28:19). It helps one to know the reasons to get baptized and to have an answer for the question “Do you have to be baptized to be saved?”
The salvation message forms the core from which all spiritual focus emerges in the Bible. Of course, Jesus is our salvation, but applying and engaging with that salvation is a personal choice to act in faith. According to the prophecy in Joel 2:28-32, the answer to the question “What does it mean to be saved?” includes the Spirit being poured upon the believer.
When Peter quoted from Joel on the Day of Pentecost, he also focused on the power to be saved in the name of the Lord (Acts 2:21). In fact, when he gave this phrase directly out of Joel 2:32, he stopped in the middle of that sentence to explain the meaning of: “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” What did it mean to call on His name? What is His name?
What is the Name of the Lord?
Jews of that day did not speak the name of Yahweh but substituted it with the word “Lord.” First, Peter quoted Joel saying that they had to use the name of the Lord to be saved, but then he stopped to explain what that was, saying, “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 2:22). In effect, it was like He was saying, “To be saved, you must call on the name of the Lord—Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Jesus!”
He takes most of his sermon to explain to them who Jesus really was. He was the Man who could not stay dead. He was the Man with all God’s power and authority to reign. He is the One who pours out the Spirit (Joel had said Yahweh would).
In his sermon, Peter exalted Jesus to the highest place—God in flesh. He ended by saying, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36). So, Joel said salvation was in the name of the Lord and Peter explains to us that the Lord is Jesus, the Christ!
Do you have to be baptized to be saved?
Yes. The people who heard Peter preaching about salvation, asked, “What should we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter immediately explained that one must turn from a life of going against God and “let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). How could he tell them that salvation came by baptism in Jesus’s Name? Because Jesus is Lord and the way to “call on” that name is baptism.
One of the biggest reasons to get baptized is that the Bible commands us to. That same day, over 3,000 people obeyed that message. How do churches get so far from truth as to say that baptism doesn’t matter or that they can do it differently than the true church of Acts did? Believers got baptized immediately, not when it was convenient for it to be a local church production.
One of the uses of “call on” (from epikaleomai) was to call on someone, to appeal to a higher authority, or to summon a god to a sacrifice or invoke a god to be gracious to one (LSJ). This was more than just saying the name. In fact, Jesus said those who just say it could still face eternal fire (Matthew 7:21-23). We must invoke His name upon ourselves—identifying with Him, through baptism. When he first met Jesus, the apostle Paul converted and received the Spirit. Then, the disciple told him “now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16). We need to be born of both water and Spirit (John 3:5) to be born from above (also called “born again” in John 3:3).
The Purpose of Baptism is to Wash Sins Away
From Paul’s story, we see further evidence that invoking Jesus in baptism is how our sins are washed away. Thus, Peter said for everyone to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the cleansing or remission of sins. Water baptism alone does not do this; it must be into Jesus Christ.
So, do you have to be baptized to be saved? Yes. We have already seen that Peter gave this message of salvation (rescue from the coming doom) as including immersion (baptism) in Jesus Christ. In another place, he said very clearly, that not only was the name of Jesus very powerful, but there is not “salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12).
Later, he wrote that just as Noah’s Ark rescued believers in that day, so there is that “which now saves us—baptism” (I Peter 3:21). Washing away sins is a necessary part of salvation. Beware of anyone who tries to convince you that it is done some other way. The devil would love nothing more than to trick people so that they never get release from their sins.
Should We Always Baptize in the Name of Jesus?
There are all kinds of wrong impressions today about baptism. Some say it is not necessary. Some say it does not matter what name is used. Some say it can just be sprinkling or pouring with water instead of immersion. Some say that after the Spirit baptism, one does not need water baptism. First, let’s examine the discussion surrounding the name.
After Acts tells us that Jesus is Lord, we need no further explanation that baptism must be in that name: Jesus Christ. The Book of Acts assumes after that sermon that whenever water baptism occurs, it invokes the name of Jesus (one purpose of baptism). An example of this is in Samaria. When Phillip went and preached to them, the people responded and were baptized (Acts 8:12). One could say, “It does not say they were baptized in the name of Jesus, though.” However, later, it talks about this event again, casually mentioning that they had “been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 8:16). So, even when the narrative does not mention the name, we know the name of Jesus is what is spoken over these baptismal candidates.
There is No Excuse Not to Be Baptized
Some who believe in the baptism of the Spirit say that water baptism is not necessary if one has been filled with the Spirit. However, Scripture speaks against such a view. When Paul was converted, he was filled with the Spirit (Acts 9:17). Afterward, the man ministering to him commanded him to rise up and wash away his sins, invoking (calling on) the Lord’s name (Acts 22:16). This shows that those who are Spirit-filled still carry sin guilt until they are baptized into Jesus Christ.
Another illustration we find when Peter goes to preach to Cornelius’s household. While Peter is preaching, the people are filled with the Spirit. He had not come to them with a plan to baptize them that day. However, after seeing the Lord saw fit to baptize these Italians with the Spirit, he realized he must baptize them in water in the name of Jesus Christ. He asked, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (Acts 10:47). Then, he did not simply suggest this, but “commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:48). Later, he reported this incident to others, saying that he brought them words by which their whole “household will be saved” (Acts 11:14). Again, the purpose of baptism is salvation.
Baptism is by Immersion Only
Some religious groups have created a non-biblical method of baptism which involves pouring water, sprinkling water, or baptizing infants. None of these are acceptable and are not baptism at all. Simply put, baptism is immersion. The word “baptize” is a made-up word from a Greek word meaning to ‘immerse, plunge, dip.’ The early English translators likely did not use the word “immerse” because it would draw a backlash from the “sprinkling and pouring” religions.
The Scriptures also refer to baptism as a burial. When you bury someone, you do not just sprinkle a little dirt on them, you cover them with earth. Jesus was “in” the earth at His burial and we join His burial by being covered with water in baptism.
First, one must believe (Mark 16:16) before baptism. One must also turn from sin, before baptism (Acts 2:38). An infant is not capable of either spiritual faith nor repentance. This covenant is for those who are old enough to be aware of their need.
Why Do You Have to be Baptized to be Saved?
God set this up. He set up the Name of salvation: Jesus (Yahweh-Savior, or “Yahweh Saves”). This is how He has revealed Himself. There is only one name by which we are saved. We invented our sin, but we cannot invent our own escape plan. Why do you have to be baptized? Because the Bible says so.
What is the purpose of baptism? To put us in right standing with our Savior. As many as are baptized into Jesus Christ have put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). This means that you are safe. God would not pour out wrath and anger on the only Son who finds His favor. Those who are in Christ are safe. Those who refuse to be “immersed into” Jesus Christ will face the coming doom.
Here you have read several reasons to get baptized. If you have not plunged into water in the name of Jesus, leave a comment below and we will find a truth-preaching minister who will help you do that. If you have been baptized correctly, now you know better why you must immerse new believers in Jesus’s Name—the ONLY name of salvation.