ANSWER: Usually when this question is asked, it is an effort to prove on the basis of one’s own logic (exclusive of scripture) that baptism is not necessary to one’s salvation. So first let’s look at just a few verses related to this issue. Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” There are two divine formulas given in this passage. One is the formula that results in one’s salvation. The other is the formula that results in one being damned. In other words, the passage tells us how to be saved and it tells us how to be lost. The formula for salvation is clear. It is B+B+S (Belief+Baptism=Salvation). It is the same idea as in mathematics; 2+2=4. The formula for damnation is also clear: UB=D (unbelief=Damnation). That the formula for salvation is proper cannot successfully be denied, since both belief and baptism evidently precede salvation! Some have attempted to change God’s formula for salvation in this way: B=S+B (Belief=Salvation+Baptism).

Clearly, those who do so are violating God’s Word (Galatians 1:6-9; Revelation 22:18-19). Sometimes the immature argument comes back, “Well, God did not say, ‘he that believeth not and is not baptized shall be damned’.” This statement is illogical and reflects poorly upon the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Undoubtedly, He was (and is) aware of the fact that unbelieving people do not ask (or want) to be baptized! To command that people not do something that they have no intention of doing would be foolish and redundant!

On the day of Pentecost, sinners asked Peter the question, “what shall we do?” He said, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Christ for the remission of sins . . .” (Acts 2:38). So we see that baptism is for (to bring about) the remission of sins! Some will argue that the word “for” means “because of.” This is not true! Peter used the Greek word “eis,” which means “unto” or “with a view toward.” Had he wanted to convey the idea of “because,” he would have been consistent and used the same Greek word he used earlier in the chapter. For example, in verse twenty-five, we read the word “for” and in verse twentyseven, we read the word “because.” The Greek word used by Peter in these two verses is the word “gar,” which means “because” or “because of.” He did not use the word “gar” in Acts 2:38, but rather he used the word “eis.” Jesus, in Matthew 26:28, used the identical expression, “for the remission of sins,” as did Peter in Acts 2:38. He said that His blood was shed “for the remission of sins.” Whatever the phrase means in one place, it must also mean in the other place. Surely one would not argue that Christ shed His blood “because of” the remission of our sins! Clearly, He shed is blood “in order to” bring about the remission of our sins. Therefore, we can only rightly conclude that whatever Jesus’ blood was “for” in Matthew 26:28, that is what repentance and baptism are “for” in Acts 2:38! Consistency and honesty demand this truth!

Repeatedly, throughout the New Testament, we read that baptism washes away sin (Acts 22:16); that baptism puts one “into” Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27) where salvation is found (II Timothy 2:10); and that baptism doth also now save us (I Peter 3:21). So baptism for the remission of sins is not a man-made doctrine, it is of God!

Now to the question, why does not a Christian have to be rebaptized after falling from grace? (By the way, those who contend that one cannot fall from grace need to consider such passages as Galatians 5:4; I Timothy 4:1; Hebrews 6:4-6; Hebrews 10:26-29; II Peter 2:20-22; and a host of others.) The reason is simply this: God gave two laws of pardon! One is for the alien sinner (one who has never known Christ). This first law of pardon is: (1) Hear-John 6:44-45; Romans 10:17; (2) Believe-John 8:24; Mark 16:16; (3) Repent-Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30; (4) Confess-Romans 10:9-10; Be baptized-Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38. After doing these things, God will add one to His church (Acts 2:47). He must then be faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10).

The second law of pardon is for the Christian who has turned his back on God. We see this clearly set forth in Acts, the eighth chapter. In verse twelve, Philip baptized both men and women in the name of Jesus Christ! This is to say that he baptized them for the same reason that Peter had baptized in Acts 2:38; that is, for the remission of sins! Upon their baptism (just as He did in Acts 2:47), God added them to His church. In verse thirteen, we also see that Simon believed and was baptized, which resulted (according to Christ’s promise) in his salvation (Mark 16:16-B+B=S). In verses eighteen through twenty, we learn that Simon (now a Christian) sinned; his heart was not right with God! Peter then told this erring Christian what he must do: God’s second law of pardon: (1) Repent; and (2) Pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. John says the same thing as he writes to Christians in I John. To them only (not to alien sinners) he writes in chapter one, verse nine, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The reason then why Christians do not have to be baptized every time they commit a sin is because God has given two laws of pardon; one for the alien sinner; the other for the erring Christian! The only account in the Bible of people being rebaptized is found in Acts 18:24-19:5. These were immersed the second time, because they did it for the wrong reason the first time. For example, if one today would be baptized as an outward sign of an inward grace (to show that they had already been saved), it would be for the wrong reason. This baptism would be both defective and ineffective! To be approved of God, the individual would then have to be rebaptized according to His purpose and design (Matthew 7:21-29); that is, for (in order to) the remission of sins!