Quote Originally Posted by JR View Post
I have a friend who is a professed Christian but refuses to be baptised.

He says he is "spiritually baptised" and that the act of immersion into water itself is just a silly formality.

What should I tell him?


Baptism does not save anyone. For by grace are you saved. (See Ephesians 2:8 to 10) The scriptures clearly state that it is grace, through faith, that saves, not anything we do (works). After we are “in Christ” saved, we do works not to get saved, but because we are saved.

In Acts 16:29 to 31 the question of what is necessary for salvation is plainly asked and equally plainly answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved”. There is nothing more to be said about what must I do to be saved.

Philip was asked by the eunuch what stopped him from being baptized? Phillip said that the condition for baptism was that he believed. Believing is the condition for salvation so Philip was alluding to the fact that baptism was only for those that are already saved.

Tell your friend that getting baptized is an act of obedience to the Lord and that it is also a public identification with Jesus Christ in his death burial and resurrection. If your friend doesn’t see that there is a reason to be baptized let him be in peace and pray that he sees the fact that water baptism naturally follows salvation. Baptism neither makes or breaks salvation.

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Acts 16:29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
Acts 16:30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.