Baptism – We Are Not Saved By Works? What About Works of God?
Categories: Bible Study Lessons Tags: Bible Lessons on BaptismMany honest and sincere folk in the religious world oppose the idea that baptism is an essential element in the salvation process. They argue that we are not saved by works and since baptism is a “work”, it follows that baptism has nothing to do with our salvation.
The Bible declares that man is not saved by works of human merit (Ephesians 2:9; 2 Timothy 1:9; Tit. 3:5). This does not mean, however, that all works are excluded from the salvation process (cf. James 2:17-26).
There are works described as “works of God,” i.e., works which God has prescribed, which are clearly included in the plan of salvation (John 6:28-29; Romans 10:8-10; Acts 17:30; Gal. 5:6; Colossians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:11).
One of these works is “believing”. Jesus declared: “This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent” (John 6:29). The expression, “work of God” denotes “the works required and approved by God” (J.H. Thayer, Greek Lexicon, pg. 248). Similarly, baptism is not a work of human merit; rather, it is an act which has been commanded by God (Acts 10:48) “for the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38). Paul declares in Colossians 2:12 (ESV), “having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God….”
If baptism is a mere work of human righteousness, then it must be excluded from the divine plan of redemption (Romans 10:3). If such is the case, then those who submit to it, believing that it brings remission of sins, are trusting in a human work rather than the Savior, and thus they cannot be saved. Christ, however, teaches that baptism is an essential element in the salvation process (Mark 16:16).