Romans 2:25-29 - Can Water Baptism Save You?

 

•        Like circumcision, baptism is a religious rite that was designed to symbolize a spiritual reality.

•        Circumcision symbolized the removal of the condemnation and domination of the flesh (sin) in the life of an Old Testament believer.

•        Baptism symbolizes two spiritual realities:

–       The Washing Away of Our Sin

•         John 3:25-26 - An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan-- the one you testified about-- well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

•         Acts 22:16 - And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.

–       Christ’s Death, Burial, and Resurrection on our Behalf

•         Romans 6:3-4 - Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

•         Colossians 2:12 - Having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

 

•        Some Jews mistakenly believed that the physical act of circumcision assured them of right standing before God. In Romans 2 Paul tells us that it is the inward spiritual state of a man that counts before God, not an outward religious ritual.

–       Romans 2:29 - A man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.

 

•        Likewise, some people mistakenly believe that the physical act of baptism saves them. The Bible teaches that you are not saved through the outward physical ceremony of baptism that washes dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a good conscience (that is, a request for the forgiveness of sins based on the work of Christ which baptism symbolizes).

–       1 Peter 3:21 (NASB) - Baptism now saves you-- not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience-- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ

 

•        The Bible teaches that we are saved and forgiven of our sins when we repent of our sins and believe in Christ. Notice in each of the passages below that Jesus tells the person who has believed that they are saved and/or forgiven of their sins. Notice that in each case the salvation/forgiveness occurs without the person ever being baptized in water.

–       Mark 2:5,10-11 - When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven . . . But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home."

 

–       Luke 7:48-50 - Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

 

–       Luke 23:39-43 - One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at [Jesus]: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."