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 the underlying assumptions in the claim that baptism cannot be a part of the salvation event.  My intention with this post is to show why baptism as a salvation event does not equal salvation as a result of works.

The typical Argument can be broken down as this:

1.  A work is something you do.

2.  Baptism is something you do.

3.  We are saved apart from works

 4. Therefore you don't have to be baptized to be saved. And to say you do means you are preaching a different gospel.  (Galatians 1:8-9)

My Responses to this Argument:

1. As mentioned above the burden of proof doesn't really lie on those that claim that baptism isn't a work unless the very broad term is used to define a work (which will be dealt with in 2)

2. If one takes the argument above to be there logical reasoning for why baptism is a work they fail on the basis of an unsound argument because premise 1 is false, it is false because it is incomplete.

Works may be defined as something you do or any response to the Creator’s laws, whether good or bad, whether in obedience or disobedience (works of law)- Romans 3:28.

So to make it complete we must break premise 1 into two:

 1a: A work can be something you do

1b: A work can be a "work of law"

I will argue below that there are 1a defined "works" that are necessary for salvation or what I would prefer to call "things you do" or others have called "conditions for salvation."  And that Baptism is a 1a work rather than a 1b.

My first argument

  Baptism does not fit under premise 1b but 1a since faith is labeled as a 1a type of work.

1. Faith is 1a type of work

2. Faith is a condition for salvation 

 3. Therefore there are at least some things that you must do to be saved.

Defense of my first argument:

Defense of Premise one:  

Faith is a 1a type of work

   Faith is called a "work" of God and terms like "became obedient to the faith" is used synonymously with saving faith:  (John 6:28–29; Acts 16:31; Acts 6:7)

Defense of Premise Two:  

Faith is a condition for salvation

1. Plain teaching of scripture: (Rom 3:28, Rom 4:1–25; see Gal 3:1–14, 1 Cor 1:21; Gal 2:16; 3:26; Eph 2:8; 3:17; Phil 3:9, etc.)

2. Works and faith are shown to be distinct things (Rom 3:28; Romans 4:4–8; Ephesians 2:8-1)

3.  Notice how the "proof texts" that are used are usually contrasting salvation by faith vs. salvation by works.

Positive Argument on why baptism is not a work

1. Baptism is not something that one can "boast over" (Romans 3:27, Romans 4:2) and has no moral significance.

2. Baptism is designated as something different from "obey everything I have commanded you " (1b works)- Matthew 28:19-20

3. Baptism is directly defined as an "appeal to God" not as anything else (1 Peter 3:21) I would also argue Acts 22:16 also implies this based on the close context with "call on the name of the Lord".

4. Baptism is understood as something that takes place prior to and results in salvation language.

• Be saved/saves you= Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:21
• Forgiveness of sin= Acts 2:38
• Reception of the gift of the Holy Spirit= Acts 2:38, 19:1-6
• Washing away of sins= Acts 22:16
• Buried with Christ= Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12, 
• Baptized into one body= 1 Corinthians 12:13
• Washing of new birth= Titus 3:5, 
• Clothed with Christ= Galatians 3:27

5. Therefore one can justly adhere to both salvation apart from works and the necessity of water baptism.

Hidden Premise

  I am convinced that many have a hidden premise when they reject baptism as having anything to do with one's salvation.  Defining a work differently than 1a works or 1b work.  Creating a third type we will call 1c works.

1c works:  Anything physical

My argument against this hidden premise

 
  1. This stems from a gnostic dualism heresy that all physical things are evil and spiritual things are good

2. Christ's physical death on the cross affected our spiritual salvation.

  For this reason 1c works should be rejected as a possible view of works.

Conclusion

1. A work is either something you do or a work of law

2. Baptism is something you do but not a work of law.

3. We are saved apart from works of law

4. Baptism can be part of the salvation event.