Is baptism necessary for salvation according to John 3:5?
John 3:5 records Jesus saying, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Some interpret this verse to mean that baptism is required for salvation. Is that a correct interpretation?
The discussion in this passage is specifically about being "born again" and what that involves. The Greek word translated baptism is not mentioned in this section. To assume baptism is in mind because of a reference to water is unwarranted.
But if this verse is not speaking about water baptism, what do the references to water and the Spirit mean? Two possible interpretations exist. First, "born of water and the Spirit" could refer to being born physically and born again spiritually.
While this understanding could fit the context, others offer a second interpretation since the entire context appears to focus on the spiritual aspect of being born again. Being "born of water and the Spirit" could both describe different aspects of the same spiritual birth. If so, when Jesus stated a person must be born of water and the Spirit to be born again, He was not referring to literal water (in reference to amniotic fluid in the womb in physical birth) but the need for spiritual cleansing. Both water and Spirit (a word that can also be translated "wind") are used this way in the Old Testament. For example, Psalm 51:2 asks God to, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!" Even in the New Testament, water is sometimes used in reference to the idea of spiritual cleansing or purifying. Titus 3:5, for example, says, "he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." Here both washing and the Spirit are paired together just as Jesus does in John 3:5.
In addition, John 3:16 makes clear that salvation is not by water baptism, but by faith in Jesus Christ: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." The rest of the New Testament also clearly teaches salvation is based on grace alone by faith alone in Christ alone. John 1:12 says, "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." These and other passages clearly teach only faith in the resurrected Jesus as Lord is needed for salvation.
Then what is the role of baptism? It is important for several reasons. First, Jesus Himself was baptized before beginning His earthly ministry. Second, the earliest followers of Jesus were baptized. Third, Jesus commanded His followers to baptize others in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20). Because of this emphasis, early Christians placed much importance on baptism. Yet the New Testament's teachings also make clear that salvation was based on faith in Jesus. Both salvation and baptism are important. Salvation is received by believing in Jesus as God's Son (John 3:16). Baptism is a step of obedience to identify as a follower of Jesus as evidence of this new belief.
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