Many good people searching for the truth, many Bible believers, and many who desire a relationship with Jesus ask the question, "Is baptism a work?" Still others avoid baptism because they have been taught that baptism is a work. Yet since the word in its noun and verb forms is used slightly more than 100 times in the New Testament, should we be scared of this term or the idea of being immersed? What is the significance of baptism in the New Testament? This seems to be a legitimate question. So let's consider two questions. First, "does baptism meet the idea of "works" discussed in the New Testament?" Second, "what role does baptism play in the New Testament?"

For many the issue of "works" is one found in Ephesians 2:8-9: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast" (NIV). As we read this verse it seems clear that God saves us and that we do not earn salvation by actively doing good deeds. The purpose is given, "so that no one can boast."

During the Reformation Movement in Europe during the 16th - 18th centuries, many theologians were repulsed by the corruption they saw in church leadership. Men such as Martin Luther and John Calvin seized upon the selling of indulgences to save deceased loved ones. It ran counter to scripture. The pendulum of theology swung for the Reformers from saving the dead by giving money to the church (a work one could boast about) to a position where there is absolutely nothing a person can do to effect his or her salvation. The question is what "works" does Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, have in mind?

As we expand outward from Ephesians 2:8-9 in order to read the surrounding verses in context, we begin to grasp the whole idea Paul is expressing. What does Paul have in mind as a work, for instance? Isn't Paul detailing that our salvation is a gift from God? We can't buy it or do enough good things to acquire it. But Paul also seems to be addressing a specific kind of works as we look in context.

Notice first the overall discussion is one in which Paul is seeking to assure these Christians that they are really in the church and will share the glory of heaven: "I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms..., (Eph. 1:18-20, NIV).

He reminds them that God has placed them with Jesus already, so to speak: "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 2:4-7, NIV).

Keep in mind Paul is saying these things to people who are already Christians, "to the saints...and faithful in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 1:1). Yet, he is reassuring them that "in Christ Jesus" we already have the blessing in the heavenly realms. Why does he need to reassure them? Is Paul just making small talk for the first two chapters of his letter? No, he's not. As we see in many of his letters the judaizing teachers of the day pushed an agenda in which they required non-Jewish Christians to be circumcised and follow parts of the Law of Moses. Many doubted their faith because of this (see Galatians 3:1!). This seems to be what Paul is addressing in this context of Ephesians 2. Notice Ephesians 2:11-18.

"Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit" (NIV).

Paul very clearly is addressing the issue of whether or not Gentiles (people of non-Jewish ethnicity) are "now in Christ Jesus". Jesus did this on the cross, "by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace".

The works that Paul has in mind when he says in 2:8-9, For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith...not by works..., are works of the law generally and specifically circumcision. Jewish Christians were boasting about their circumcision and observeance of the Law of Moses. Paul is arguing that following the Law of Moses has nothing to do with whether a person is saved or in Christ.
Compare this with Paul's remarks elsewhere. For instance, Galatians 3:2-5: "I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for nothing — if it really was for nothing? 5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard?" (NIV). Clearly Paul is upset because this church has been disrupted by those demanding observance of the Law of Moses.
 
Again the focused issue is circumcision. He says a few verses earlier, "When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. 14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? 15 "We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' 16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified" (NIV).

Notice what Paul writes in Romans 3:27-4:3, Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. 4:1 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about — but not before God. 3 What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness" (NIV).

Read this passage in the New American Standard: "Where then is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one." (Romans 3:27-30, NASU) [Notice the NIV has "observance of the law" translating "works" here as "observance"].

Look again at Ephesians 2:8-12 compared to this passage:

Ephesians 2:8-12:

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision"...(NIV).

Romans 3:27-30

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.

When Paul speaks of faith versus works, he has the theology of the Judaizing teachers in mind. He confronts following the Law of Moses generally and circumcision specifically. Paul is not seeking to argue that a person has no responsibility or part to play in the decision to be "in Christ".

So does "baptism" meet this definition of "works"? First let's consider what scripture says. Of the roughly 100 instances of the word baptism in it's noun and verb forms, do any of the inspired writers of the New Testament call baptism a "work" or a "work of the Law"? The answer is no. In not a single instance is it so called.

Secondly, let's consider whether "work" might mean anything a person might do or any part a person might play to influence his or her salvation. Let's start with scripture. In Acts 2:38, the crowds ask Peter "what shall we do?" His response: "Repent...for the forgivness of sins."

Again in Acts 17:30-31, Paul states "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead" (NIV). In this passage Paul clearly ties together the idea of repentance with the day of judgment. He is implying that repentance is neccesary to escape that judgment, isn't he? Is repentance not an action which requires both mental and behavioral action?

What about belief and confession? Notice what Paul says in Romans 10:8-10, "But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved" (NIV). Very clearly here, Paul argues that using one's mouth to confess Jesus is a neccessary action by which one is "saved." Is that a work? Is the mental process of believing in the heart a "work"?

It seems obvious that Paul is not ruling out that a person has a responsibility or role in being "saved." It is certainly true that only by God's grace can we be saved from our sins. I can't earn salvation by baptizing other people or by telling the Gospel story. But do I need to hear the Gospel story and choose to respond?

Now consider one non-scriptural example, prayer. In the New Testament we don't find a prayer formula which asks God to come into our heart, for instance. Cornelius, for example was praying and giving frequently according to Acts 10:2. Yet he was not saved by this. Instead, he was instructed to send for Peter who "will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.' "(Acts 11:14, NIV). Paul also prayed after seeing Jesus on the road and going to Damascus (Acts 9:11). Yet, he still had his sins with him. We don't see in scripture praying alone as being the means of salvation. Yet we sometimes hear of people suggesting a prayer "sinners" might pray to in order to receive God's grace. Even if such could be found in scripture, wouldn't that be a mental process or action - a work?

Is this really what Paul has in mind when he says we are saved by grace through faith not of works? Is he really suggesting that a person has utterly no role in accepting the opportunity for forgiveness of sins? Is he really ruling baptism out of any function in accepting God's forgiveness? If so, then why do we find baptism as such a prominent part of the writings of the New Testament? Let's consider our next question, "what role does baptism play in the New Testament?"

Consider the example of Jesus. Jesus was both baptized and baptized others. The story of Jesus' baptism is told in John 1:29-34. Jesus we are told also baptized others. In fact, He baptized more people than John the Baptist did. "After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized" (John 3:22-23, NIV). A little later we read, "The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples" (John 4:1-2, NIV).

 

Jesus clearly practiced baptism as part of His ministry. The emphasis is placed on the baptism indicating the importance baptism holds, rather than placing the importance on the one who does the baptizing. We see Paul say something similar in 1 Corinthians 1:13-17, " Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel — not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power" (NIV).

Paul is not deminishing the importance of baptism. Rather he is scolding the Corinthians for boasting about who it was that baptized them. Paul is arguing his focus was on preaching the Gospel, he let others do most of the physical work of baptizing those who responded. (He still baptized some of them!)

So just as we have an example of Jesus both being baptized and baptizing, we also have the example of Paul both being baptized and baptizing. Notice Paul's own baptism. We have two accounts: Luke gives the general account in Acts 9; and Paul gives a personal account in Acts 22.

Acts 9:7-9, 17-19:

"7 The men traveling with Saul [Paul] stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything..."

"17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here — has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength." (NIV)

Did you notice Paul doesn't eat for three days. He hears Ananias' words and what does he do next? He is baptized first, then he eats. If baptism is not important, why was that the first thing he did? Now consider this event from Paul's personal perspective.

Acts 22:12-16

"A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He stood beside me and said, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' And at that very moment I was able to see him. 14 "Then he said: 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'" (NIV).
Paul gives us a little more detail as to what Ananias told him. No wonder he decides to be baptized before he eats - because Ananias tells him, And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.' He was taught and recognized that for his sins to be removed he needed to be baptized. This is the same Paul who wrote "you are saved by grace through faith alone...not by works." Does he here see baptism as a "work?" Or, does he see it as something for his own life that he needs to do?

Notice what Paul taught himself with regard to baptism in Romans 6:3-5. "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 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. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection" (NIV).

He goes on to explain that it is at this point that our body of sin is done away with: "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin" (Romans 6:6-7, NIV). Paul teaches that our sin is still with us until we crucify it with Jesus. When do we crucify our body of sin? When we "were baptized into Christ Jesus...into his death..."

Peter also teaches a connection between freedom from sin through baptism and Jesus' resurrection. In his first letter to scattered Christians he writes, "God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also — not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand — with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him" (1 Peter 3:20b-22, NIV)

Peter's words don't sound that much different from Paul's, "united with him like this...also united in His resurrection" (Romans 6:5). It's also worth noting that the phrase translated by the NIV "pledge toward" can also be translated, "appeal". How similar does that sound to "calling on the name of the Lord" when Ananias instructed Paul to be baptized (Acts 22:16)?

Remember it was Peter in the speech in Acts 2:38 who tells the crowd in Jerusalem "repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins..." He there sees baptism as a response to the Gospel message whereby the hearers would receive forgiveness of sins. Perhaps not as "washing dirt from the flesh" but an "appeal to God for a clean conscience."

Finally consider the words of a resurrected Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20: "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (NIV).

Jesus says, make disciples of all nations. How? "Baptizing them...and teaching them to observe all I command you..." Later Luke records, "the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch" (Acts 11:26).

If we ask the question, "is baptism a work?" We can answer, the Bible never calls baptism a work. But we can see the importance laid upon it by Jesus, Peter, and Paul. It is the response to the Gospel. It unites us with Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. It is the moment at which we crucify our body of sin. It is an appeal to God for a clean conscience. It is the first part of what Jesus says we do to become His disciple. If being a disciple is to be a Christian, than for Christainity to work, a person must be a disciple. Jesus was baptized and baptized others. Paul, His great tool, was baptized and baptized others. Peter speaks of the importance of baptism. Christianity begins working when those who look to Jesus become His disciples. What do you want to do?

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