Grace and Baptism

by David Gibson

To say that baptism is essential to salvation does not at all contradict the truth that we are saved by grace. We can never earn our salvation. Baptism is a condition of salvation. It is likely that others have made the following points, but they need to be reiterated.

Dipping seven times in the Jordan was a condition for Naaman to be cleansed of his leprosy (II Kings 5). And washing in the pool of Siloam was a condition for the blind man to receive his sight (John 9). Neither man earned his cure. Neither man could boast about what he had done. Each knew the grace of God had healed him.

God could have used other means in their cases if He so chose. In fact, Jesus healed both lepers and blind men without using water (Matthew 8:2-4; Mark 10:46-52; Luke 17:11-19). But neither Naaman nor the blind man of John 9 could expect a cure unless they went to the water.

Similarly, God makes baptism a condition of salvation. Just as in the cases of Naaman and the blind man, God has chosen water as an element in our healing.

Was there something in the Jordan River water that could cleanse lepers? Could the waters of the pool of Siloam in themselves make blind men see? Surely it is evident that in both cases the power of God healed these men, on the condition that they washed in the water which God specified. This was a test of their faith and obedience.

Water does not wash away sins, but the blood of Christ does. When? At the moment we are buried with Him in baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16).

Praise be to God for His marvelous grace!