IS BAPTISM NECESSARY IN ORDER TO BE SAVED?
This question is often asked: do we need baptism? Sadly, many persons who answer this question as teachers do so lacking understanding of the true meaning of baptism to a new covenant believer. However, we are called to follow the Messiah (1 John 2:6), and what did he say?
Mar 16:15-6 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
That verse cuts like a knife!
It couldn’t be any clearer that we need to be baptized to have access to salvation..
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
What other answer do we want when we ask the question, “Should we be baptized?” when the Messiah told us so clearly.
Indeed baptism (water baptism to be specific) is absolutely essential to our salvation as we shall continue to see.
BAPTISM ESSENTIAL TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS
For more proof of its necessity, let us stay with the Messiah FOR MORE CLARITY:
Mat 3:13-15 Then cometh Yahusha from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
And Yahusha answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
So John the Immerser was convinced that he was not qualified to water baptize the Messiah. However, the Messiah told him that it was necessary to fulfill all righteousness. That means, all righteousness CANNOT BE FULFILLED without water baptism, and that is underlined through what happened next:
Mat 3:16-17 And Yahusha, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of YAHUAH descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
As we can see, the supernatural power of the Most High was unleashed when the Messiah was water baptized. Likewise, we are given the promise in Acts 2:38 that we too will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahusha HaMashiach for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
MISINTERPRETATION LEADING TO THE REJECTION OF BAPTISM
However, man has distorted the word through their interpretation. Unfortunately, this is the case with one of, if not, the largest Hebrew Israelite camp called IUIC. Of course, this is not limited to them, but goes for other camps as well.
Indeed, I was heartbroken watching a video of them teaching about baptism. proudly declaring that we do not need water baptism, because baptism is “the word.” I found this absolutely shocking.
The sad part is that they have such a huge following and are inadvertently teaching disobedience to the Messiah. So many souls being blindly led by the blind.
Luk_6:39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
The sad thing about these camps is the obvious pride. They believe they are right, so much so that a YouTube search for “IUIC baptism”, turned up 14 results.
So let us look at 2 of their strong points in the video above to see where this anti-water baptism teaching is coming from.
BAPTIZED UNTO MOSES
We will start at 1 Corinthians 10:1 where Sha’ul makes a comparison of the children of Israel in the wilderness with the process of baptism.
1Co 10:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
What Sha’ul was doing, was giving the spiritual interpretation of a physical event that occurred in the wilderness. He was comparing the physical event in the wilderness (passing under the cloud and the Red Sea) with the process of baptism. Why?
SHADOW OF THINGS TO COME
The law was a shadow of things to come and not the very image.
Heb_10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.
Heb 8:5 Who (priests) serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of YAHUAH when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.
So all things given in the Torah were merely shadows of things to come in the new testament.
Hence, if we look at the context of 1 Corinthians 10 carefully, we will see that Sha’ul’s (Paul’s) reference to baptism in the Torah (the law) is to show us what the fact that we are baptized does not prevent us from slipping back. In other words, baptism alone does not save us. Let’s see:
BAPTISM IS NOT THE END OF IT ALL!
1Co 10:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
1Co 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Messiah.
In verse 4, he continues comparing the physical to spiritual parallels. Spiritual meat refers to the word, and spiritual rock refers to our connection with the Messiah through the Holy Spirit.
The Israelites in the wilderness all partook of that. However, he is showing us that that still is not all. Instead, it is a lesson for us that the experience of Moses i the wilderness was indeed our example to teach us about how we should be aware in our covenant:
This is because even though the children of Israel went through all of that, the Most High still found displeasure in them:
1Co 10:5 But with many of them YAHUAH was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
OVERTHROWN IN THE WILDERNESS?
Why were they overthrown?
1 Co 10:6-10 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
The reason they were overthrown is that they went after their own hearts’ lust.
PHYSICAL EQUIVALENT TO BAPTISM
So it did not mean that we do not need to baptize! He showed us the physical equivalent to baptism from the Torah, so we do not believe we can be baptized and live as we used to live in the lusts of our heart.
Again he repeated that the experience in the wilderness is for our example!!!
1 Co 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
So exactly what point does Sha’ul want to make with this example?
1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
That’s it!
Sha’ul was actually saying the children of Israel went through the similitude of baptism in the wilderness, were given manna (the equivalent to the word) and the spiritual drink (the spiritual equivalent of Messiah), yet still they were overthrown by YAHUAH because they lusted after evil things.
So even after our baptism, we have to be steadfast and don’t think that alone saves us!
So IUIC picked out the couple verses out of context, creating a false interpretation and end up rejecting the instructions of the Messiah.
I DID NOT COME TO BAPTIZE
Now let us just highlight another verse that they twisted out of context!
1Co 1:17 For Messiah sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the stake of Messiah should be made of none effect.
Now in this verse, they stated that Sha’ul did not come to baptize. Therefore, from their interpretation, neither should we.
However, again, they took it totally out-of-context. They omitted the preceding verses:
1Co 1:13-16 Is Messiah divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank YAHUAH that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
Those verse clearly tell us that Sh’aul indeed did baptize (Crispus, Gaius and the household of Stephanus).
Now look again at these verses:
1Co 1:14 I thank YAHUAH that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
1Co 1:16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
The context of the verse was that the men in Corinth were forming factions based on who baptized them.
1Co 1:12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Messiah.
Sha’ul was saying that is not what is important, the Messiah is who is important:
1Co 1:13 Is Messiah divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
WHY BAPTISM?
So let’s move on to look at the importance of baptism. Comparing the saving of Noah and his family in the ark through water (a similitude to Moses under the cloud and in the sea), the Apostle Peter said:
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward YAHUAH,) by the resurrection of Yahusha HaMashiach:
That is simply why we need baptism! Baptism is a spiritual “surgery” that takes place on us through the operation of the Most High, resulting in the gift of the Holy Spirit. Let me explain.
NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND THE HOUSE OF JUDAH
The Most High prophesied a new covenant for his people.
Jer 31:31-32 Behold, the days come, saith YAHUAH, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith YAHUAH:
This is covenant through Messiah Yahusha, entails the following:
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith YAHUAH, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Aluahym, and they shall be my people.
Notice very, very carefully, that he said I will put my law in their inward part. That means, in our covenant, HE WILL be the one doing the “spiritual, surgical operation.”
Eze 36:25-27 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
See how many times he stated “will I,” or “I will?”
Again we see, he is the one who will be doing the operation: it is not of ourselves (lest we should boast – Ephesians 2:8-9)!
So the IUIC interpretation that “baptism is the word,” actually rejects this operation by the Father which is achieved through baptism. What does it leave us with? Being justified by the works of the law, outside of faith.
THE SALVATION PROCESS
So we are not justified by works of the law, but by faith, which leads us to good works.
But how does this process work? When we are convicted of sin, we need to give ourselves up to the Most High, accepting that we cannot save ourselves. We accept that we need his help. Let’s see the process:
CONVICTED OF SIN
What do we do when we are convicted of sin?
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED
Peter gave instructions on how to allow the Most High to transform us through this response to the men of Israel:
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahusha HaMashiach for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Repentance and baptism in the name of Yahusha HaMashiach gives us a gift, which is the Holy Spirit. This operation is done by the Most High, triggered by our faith.
This is how he makes the new covenant with us, and how he gives us a new heart. As a result, this is how baptism results in our getting a good conscience:
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward YAHUAH,) by the resurrection of Yahusha HaMashiach:
BAPTISM AND RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD
Speaking of the resurrection of the dead, many believers do not know that our major aim as believers is to attain unto the resurrection of the dead. This is because if we partake in the first resurrection, then we will not die the second death, and hence have eternal life:
Rev_20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of YAHUAH and of Messiah, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Indeed, the Apostle Sha’ul showed us how important it is, when he showed us all he was willing to give up in order to partake in the first resurrection:
Php 3:5-8 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Messiah.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Messiah Yahusha my Master: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Messiah,
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
So the big question is, what does baptism have to do with the resurrection of the dead?
Rom 6:3-6 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yahusha HaMashiach were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Got it?
Baptism is absolutely essential to achieve unto the resurrection of the dead! Baptism is absolutely essential in preventing us from being under the power of the second death! Need confirmation? Let’s go:
Col 2:11-12 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Messiah:
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of YAHUAH, who hath raised him from the dead.
Got it? Baptism is absolutely essential! Don’t let any one, any camp or any religious denomination fool you.
WATER ESSENTIAL FOR BAPTISM
The very meaning of baptize tells us that water is absolutely essential for baptism.
G907
βαπτίζω
baptizō
bap-tid’-zo
From a derivative of G911; to make whelmed (that is, fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: – baptist, baptize, wash.
Total KJV occurrences: 80
The root word means to make fully wet. Indeed, John the Baptist is called John the Immerser, which speaks of baptism being immersion into water. So much for IUIC’s baptism being “the word.”
However, if you’re not convinced that water is absolutely necessary, then let’s get the word:
THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH AND WATER BAPTISM
The account of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch shows us the process of baptism.
First, let’s see the conviction of the eunuch as Philip explains the Messiah Yahusha to him:
Act 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Yahusha.
Then the conviction and the desire of the eunuch for baptism. Of course, this account shows the importance of water.
Act 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?
So water is there, what prevented him from being baptized? Belief.
For baptism, he needed water, plus his belief.
Act 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Yahusha HaMashiach is the Son of YAHUAH.
So they went into the water, where he was baptized:
Act 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
THE IMPORTANCE OF YAHUSHA’S NAME
Now let us strike another blow to those who reject baptism. If baptism is the word only, how do you account for this incident recorded in Acts 19?
Act 19:1-3 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit.
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
They were baptized with John’s baptism of repentance, but were not baptized in the name of Yahusha HaMashiach!
Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Messiah Yahusha.
But one thing was missing for them to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit…
Act 19:5-6 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Master Yahusha.
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
That is plainly and clearly water baptism in the name of Yahusha HaMashiach being absolutely essential for us to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. When they were baptized in his name, they spake in tongues and prophesied, which shows a spiritual transformation coming from the Most High.
THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT NEEDED TO BEAR WITNESS
And how important is it to receive the Holy Spirit?
1Jn_5:6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Yahusha HaMashiach; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of YAHUAH:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of YAHUAH, and joint-heirs with Messiah; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
So what if we don’t have the Holy Spirit?
Rom_8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of YAHUAH dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah, he is none of his.
CONCLUSION: WATER BAPTISM ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY FOR ETERNAL LIFE
So water baptism is absolutely essential for us as believers. Hence, the rejection of baptism by some religious groups is spiritual suicide. Over-spritualizing simple verses as well as taking verses out of context, can lead us to error.
This is particularly dangerous in a church-like organisation such as IUIC, in which everything is taught from the top down. The sad thing is that IUIC is a 501C3 church, which means it is linked to the state: linked to Babylon. Churches are false institutions, and the Most High will not give all his truth to a Babylonian 501C3 church.
That aside, water baptism is essential to attain unto the resurrection of the dead, which is the most important goal of us as believers. Through baptism, the Most High fulfills his promise of giving us a new spirit and a new heart that will cause us to obey him and therefore attain unto the first resurrection.
Consequently, without baptism, we have rejected the promise of the Father and are walking in our own righteousness, which is of the law:
Php 3:8-9 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Messiah Yahusha my Master: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Messiah,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Messiah, the righteousness which is of YAHUAH by faith:
On the other hand, through baptism, we are able to partake of his resurrection:
Rom_6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Messiah was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
Without baptism, we cannot attain unto the resurrection of the dead, and therefore have NO ACCESS to eternal life.
So what about you? Have you been baptized in the name of Yahusha HaMashiach? If not, I have only one advice for you:
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahusha HaMashiach for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Don’t reject the Messiah: do not reject baptism and hence choose death! Lay hold on eternal life.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
