Does Acts 22:16 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?

Answer

When examining any single verse or passage, we understand its teachings by aligning them with what the Bible instructs on the specific topic. Concerning baptism and salvation, the Bible clearly states that salvation comes through grace by having faith in Jesus Christ, not through any kind of works, including baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore, any interpretation suggesting that baptism or any other action is essential for salvation is flawed. For further details, please refer to our webpage on “Is salvation by faith alone, or by faith plus works?”

In Acts 22:16, it says, “And now, what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” The initial question to address is, “When was Paul saved?”

1. Paul clarifies that he did not learn or receive the Gospel from Ananias; instead, he directly heard it from Christ. Galatians 1:11-12 states, “For I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel preached by me is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” Therefore, Paul believed in Christ on the road to Damascus. Paul had already placed his faith in Christ before Ananias arrived to pray for him to regain his sight “And Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'”, (Acts 9:17).

2. It is also important to note that when Ananias prayed for Paul to regain his sight, he also received the Holy Spirit “And Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'”, (Acts 9:17).

In him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you came, has sent me, so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17)—this was before he was baptized “Immediately, something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.” (Acts 9:18). Acts depicts a transitional period where God’s attention shifts from Israel to the Church. The events documented in Acts are not always standard. Concerning the reception of the Holy Spirit, the usual practice is for a person to receive and be permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation.

The Greek aorist participle, epikalesamenos, translated as “calling on His name,” refers to an action that is either simultaneous with or prior to the main verb, “be baptized.” Here, Paul’s calling on Christ’s name for salvation preceded his water baptism. The participle can be translated as “having called on His name,” which would clearly indicate the sequence of events.

Regarding the words, “be baptized, and wash away your sins,” since Paul was already spiritually cleansed when Christ appeared to him, these words must symbolize the act of baptism. Baptism serves as a representation of God’s internal work of cleansing sin (1 Corinthians 6:11; 1 Peter 3:21).

It is also noteworthy that when Paul recounted this event later in Acts (Acts 26:12-18), he did not mention Ananias or Ananias’s words to him at all. Verse 18 further supports the notion that Paul accepted Christ as his Savior on the road to Damascus, as Christ informs Paul that he will be a messenger fo

Ask Him about the forgiveness of sins for Gentiles who have faith in Him. It would be improbable for Christ to appoint Paul if Paul had not believed in Him yet.