What is baptismal regeneration?

Answer

Baptismal regeneration is the belief that baptism is necessary for salvation, or more precisely, that regeneration does not occur until a person is water baptized. This belief is held by various Christian denominations, but it is most strongly advocated by churches in the Restoration Movement, particularly the Church of Christ and the International Church of Christ.

Supporters of baptismal regeneration cite Scripture verses such as Mark 16:16, John 3:5, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Galatians 3:27, and 1 Peter 3:21 for biblical backing. While these verses may suggest that baptism is essential for salvation, there are interpretations of these verses that do not endorse baptismal regeneration from a biblical and contextual standpoint. For further information, please refer to the following articles:

Does Mark 16:16 teach the necessity of baptism for salvation?

Does John 3:5 teach the necessity of baptism for salvation?

Does Acts 2:38 teach the necessity of baptism for salvation?

Does Acts 22:16 teach the necessity of baptism for salvation?

Does Galatians 3:27 teach the necessity of baptism for salvation?

Does 1 Peter 3:21 teach the necessity of baptism for salvation?

Advocates of baptismal regeneration typically outline a four-step process for obtaining salvation. They assert that a person must believe, repent, confess, and be baptized to attain salvation. This belief is based on biblical passages that suggest the necessity of each of these actions for salvation. For instance, Romans 10:9–10 associates salvation with confession, while Acts 2:38 connects salvation with repentance and baptism.

Repentance, as understood in a biblical context, is crucial for salvation. Repentance involves a change of mind, specifically shifting from rejecting Christ to accepting Him. It is not a separate step from the act of believing in Christ.On saving faith. Instead, it is an essential aspect of saving faith. One cannot receive Jesus Christ as Savior, by grace through faith, without a change of mind about who He is and what He did.

Confession, understood biblically, is a demonstration of faith. If a person has truly received Jesus Christ as Savior, proclaiming that faith to others will be a result. If a person is ashamed of Christ and/or ashamed of the message of the gospel, it is highly unlikely that the person has understood the gospel or experienced the salvation that Christ provides.

Baptism, understood biblically, is an identification with Christ. Christian baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). As with confession, if a person is unwilling to be baptized—unwilling to identify his/her life as being redeemed by Jesus Christ—that person has very likely not been made a new creation «Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. », (2 Corinthians 5:17) through faith in Jesus Christ.

Those who contend for baptismal regeneration and/or this four-part formula for receiving salvation do not view these actions as meritorious works that earn salvation. Repenting, confessing, etc., do not make a person worthy of salvation. Rather, the official view is that faith, repentance, confession, and baptism are “works of obedience,” things a person must do before God grants salvation. While the standard Protestant understanding is that faith is the one thing God requires before salvation is granted, those of the baptismal regeneration persuasion believe that baptism—and, for some, repentance and confession—are additional things God requires before He grants salvation.

The problem with this viewpoint is

There are biblical passages that clearly and explicitly declare faith as the sole requirement for salvation. John 3:16, one of the most well-known verses in the Bible, states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” In Acts 16:30, the Philippian jailer asks the apostle Paul, “What must I do to be saved?” If there was ever an opportunity for Paul to present a four-part formula, this was it. Paul’s response was simple: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” «And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. », (Acts 16:31). No baptism, no confession, just faith.

There are numerous verses in the New Testament that attribute salvation to faith or belief without mentioning any other requirement in the context. If baptism, or anything else, is deemed necessary for salvation, all these verses would be incorrect, and the Bible would contain errors, thus losing our trust.

An exhaustive study of the New Testament on the various requirements for salvation is unnecessary. Receiving salvation is not a process or a multi-step formula. Salvation is a finished product, not a recipe. What must we do to be saved? Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and we will be saved.