New Testament Examples of Salvation Without Baptism
Since people in the Old Testament were all saved without being baptized, you would expect to find cases in the New Testament where people were saved but never baptized.
Luke 7:37-50 tells the story of a woman who was saved without being baptized. JESUS said unto her, " Thy sins are forgiven." And HE went on to say, " Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." Luke 18:35-43 tells about the healing and conversion of a blind man who was saved by faith without baptism. Here is the record: " And JESUS said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee."
The publican in Luke 18 was saved without baptism. The story is recorded in Luke 18:13, 14. This poor sinner simply cried out, " GOD be merciful to me a sinner." And JESUS said of him, " I tell you, this man went down to his house justified..." But there is no record of his ever being baptized.
The thief on the cross is the classic example of one being saved without being baptized. The story is recorded in Luke 23:39-43. This poor thief, dying on a cross, requested of JESUS in verse 42, " LORD, remember me when THOU comest into THY kingdom. " And JESUS answered him in verse 43, saying, " Verily (truly) I say unto thee, to day shalt thou be with ME in paradise. " He was never baptized; but according to the very words of JESUS, he was with CHRIST that very day in Paradise.
Salvation Is a Gift
Baptism, then, cannot possibly be a part of GOD's plan of Salvation. Salvation is clearly a gift of GOD which is not deserved, is not bought and cannot be paid for. Therefore, no church nor preacher nor any individual has a right to claim the credit when a soul is saved.
Salvation is a gift to be received, not a prize to be earned by our good works, including the good work of baptism. The sinner's only part is to receive by faith what JESUS CHRIST has purchased with HIS own blood. John 1:12 says, " But as many as received HIM, to them gave HE power to become the sons of GOD, even to them that believe on HIS name." In the words of the old song:
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on JESUS' name.
It is fatal to trust anything other than JESUS CHRIST for Salvation. "...he that believeth NOT the SON shall NOT see life; but the wrath of GOD abideth on him." John 3:36
There are so many clear Bible verses that teach one is saved by simple faith in CHRIST that even those who argue that baptism is necessary for Salvation cannot deny them. So some of them say, " Yes, Salvation is by grace through faith, BUT believing includes baptism." However, such is not the case. It is one thing to believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST and a totally different thing to be baptized. Mark 16:16 clearly says, " He that believeth and is baptized...." If baptism were included in believing, then it wouldn't have been necessary to add the expression, " and is baptized." Acts 2:41 plainly says, " Then they that gladly received his word were baptized...." No, believing does not include baptism. Baptism is an act of obedience. As a matter of fact, it is the first act of obedience for those who trust CHRIST as SAVIOR, but it is NOT an instrument of Salvation.
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