As mentioned last week, we now begin to address what I am convinced is the heart of the issue regarding the debate over baptism for the forgiveness of sins: is baptism a work? Appealing to the thief on the cross or arguing that Acts 2:38 means “because” are really symptoms of this deeper question. What I would like to do in this article is introduce this idea and to help the reader understand how much of a challenge it is for someone who has always thought of baptism as a work to adjust their point of view to see that baptism is not a work in the biblical sense. In the next article, Lord willing, we’ll go more into detail as to why baptism is not a work.
Now, credit where credit is due, most of those who argue that baptism cannot be for the forgiveness of sins because it is a work do so because they take seriously Paul’s words found in Ephesians 2:8–9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” We are saved by grace, through faith, and not by works – this is a biblical truth. In fact, this is THE biblical truth that led to the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. (Somewhat ironically, Martin Luther, the hero of the Reformation, himself believed and taught that baptism was for the forgiveness of sins). So, insofar as a person is seeking to protect the biblical truth of salvation by grace, through faith, and apart from works they do well.
However, problems begin to arise when non-biblical definitions are applied to the biblical truth. This is most evidently the case when dealing with the concept of “works.” Through zeal to protect salvation by grace, or due to misunderstanding, or bad teaching – perhaps a combination of all those and more – many Protestants have come to define “works” as “doing anything.” Based on that definition, “salvation by grace, through faith, and apart from works” is then understood as “salvation by grace, through faith, and you are not allowed to do anything.” Now, you may be thinking, “what about belief or repentance or confession – aren’t those all doing something and, therefore, works by such a definition?” And you would be absolutely correct. I think it is fair to say that there is some inconsistency in this regard, people wishing to label baptism as a work while giving belief, repentance, and confession a pass.
But, looking past any inconsistencies, let’s pause and reflect for a moment on how difficult it is for a person who has always thought this way about baptism – who is zealous in their defense of salvation by grace, through faith – to adjust their frame of reference to see that baptism is not a work in a biblical sense. According to their thinking, a work is to do anything. Therefore, baptism is a work. Therefore, to allow it to be for the forgiveness of sins is nothing less than to destroy the gospel of God’s grace. This is what we must understand: in their minds, the gospel itself is at stake. To bring such a person to a proper understanding of baptism will require on their part a complete paradigm shift – a feat that is usually neither easy, nor quick, nor pleasant. We should not be surprised when such a person resists our arguments, no matter how biblically sound and persuasive. After all, changing our understanding of fundamental truths usually doesn’t happen without resistance. With that in mind, may we take Paul’s words to Timothy to heart: “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). Thanks for reading. May God bless you.
Studies in the Bible 