Is
Baptism a work of Merit?
The truth is, most denominational folks have little difficulty in
acknowledging that both faith and repentance are requirements for
the remission of sins, even though they are classified as works in
the Scriptures. The real point of contention is baptism. Sectarians
feel that if it were conceded that baptism is essential to salvation,
this would be equivalent to arguing that forgiveness is earned. Baptism,
it is charged, is a work of human merit. Under this assumption, it
is thus (by many sincere people) excluded as a requirement for salvation.
But this reasoning is fallacious.
In the first place, the only passage in the New Testament that even
remotely identifies baptism as a “work” is found in the book of Colossians.
There, Paul says:
“[H]aving been buried with him in baptism, wherein you were also
raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him
from the dead” (Col. 2:12, ASV).
The act of submitting to immersion is not meritorious; the operation
is a “working of God” designed to provide pardon upon the basis of
Jesus’ death. One is spiritually blessed by the working of God when
he submits to the sacred ordinance. Nowhere does scripture come anywhere
near suggesting that submission to God’s command, “be baptized” (Acts
2:38; 22:16), is a meritorious work.
Second, the Bible specifically excludes baptism from that type of
works that have no relationship to salvation. Paul, in his letter
to Titus, affirmed that we are “not [saved] by works done in righteousness
which we did ourselves,” i.e., which we contrived and implemented
as a means of justification. Rather, “according to his mercy he saved
us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit”
(3:5). The “washing of regeneration” (an indisputable allusion to
baptism) is plainly placed in contrast to those human “works” that
are ineffectual to save.
The conscientious Bible student needs to eradicate from his mind
the false notion that “works” are wholly alien to God’s plan of salvation.
If you have been confused about the role of works in the divine pattern
of conversion, why not give the matter fresh consideration?
