Is Baptism absolutely necessary for salvation?

Our Lord Christ does not say: He who does not believe and who has not been baptized will be damned, but only “He who does not believe”. Thus, He indicates, that unbelief alone damns and that saving faith can exist without Baptism, just as long as Baptism is not despised and rejected. Situations like this may occur on the mission fields. On the same basis, in accordance with Luther’s illustration, those parents, whose child has died before it has been baptized, have been comforted (Gen. 17:7). Not the lack of Baptism, but the despisal of Baptism, damns.

How are the gifts given in Baptism received and used?

The gifts given to us in Baptism are received and used through faith. Unbelief, on the other hand, rejects them and does not use them.

Mark 16:16: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Heb. 11:6: Without faith it is impossible to please Him.

How does Holy Baptism give us eternal salvation?

At the same time that Baptism makes us children of God, it also makes us heirs of eternal salvation. We can be absolutely certain of this on the basis of the Baptismal covenant.

1 Pet. 3:21: Baptism doth also now save us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Rom. 8:17: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ, if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.

Tit. 3:5-7: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1 Pet. 1:21: Who by him (Christ) do believe in God, That raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory, that your faith and hope might be in God.

Rom. 5:5: Hope maketh not ashamed.

How does Baptism deliver from the devil?

Baptism delivers us from the devil, because in Baptism we are snatched away from the kingdom of the devil and transferred into God’s kingdom. In Baptism we put on Christ and receive forgiveness of sins, so that the devil can no longer successfully accuse us. We can now in faith, in the shelter of our Baptismal covenant, defend ourselves against the tempter and successfully resist him.

Col. 1:12-13: Giving thanks unto the Father, Which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.

Col. 2:12: Buried with Him in Baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through faith of the operation of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead.

Gal. 3:27: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Rom. 8:34: Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, That is risen again.

1 Joh. 4:4: Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1 Joh. 5:4: This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

How does Baptism deliver from death?

Baptism delivers us from death because it takes away the sting of death, which is sin, and unites us with Christ Jesus. Thus, temporal death cannot harm baptized, believing Christians, and eternal death or damnation has no power over them, but they are in Christ, live with Him and Christ lives in them. Temporal death is the gate to eternal life for Christians.

1 Cor. 15:55-57: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God, Which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom. 8:1: There is therefore now no more condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.

How does Holy Baptism give the forgiveness of sins?

What does Baptism give or profit? It works forgiveness of sins, delivers from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare. Which are such words, and promises of God? Christ, our Lord, says in the last chapter of Mark: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Because in Baptism we through faith put on the Lord Jesus Christ, His righteousness therefore covers all our sin, original sin as well as actual sins, and we are cleansed with His blood.

Gal. 3:27: For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Acts 2:38: Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

Acts 22:16: Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins.

Heb. 10:22: Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.