Is Baptism a Work?
Is Baptism a work? Many have written extensively on the question of baptism's role in salvation. It seems to me that the clearest and most honestly straightforward reading of scripture points to the fact that baptism is involved in the salvation event. In scripture baptism does not take place after one is saved but an act that the repentant sinner must do in order to be saved (see scripture references at bottom of the post). This view has been rejected by many because of the assumption that baptism is a work. This way of thinking has lead many to understand and reject baptism's role in salvation assuming it would lead to the belief that one is saved by faith and works. One must understand that the burden of proof lies on those that want to identify biblical baptism as a work. Since baptism is never directly identified as a work one can simply deny the accusation that baptism should be defined in that way. However, I believe it is important to address t