Does Eph. 2:8-9 Prove Baptism Is Not Necessary To Salvation?

Ephesians 2:8-9 reads “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Many say that means we don’t have to be baptized to be saved.

What Eph 2:8-9 is really teaching is that we cannot earn our salvation by our works (something a man could boast about). The basis for salvation is Christ’s death/blood – not our obedience, not even our faith. But Eph 2:8-9 is most certainly not ruling out obedience as a condition to salvation (Heb 5:9, Matt 7:21, etc.). That would also rule out faith itself as a condition (John 6:29).

Illustration: The “Walls Of Jericho” fell by grace (Josh 6:2) through faith (Heb 11:30) not of works (Josh 24:13) – but that didn’t mean the Israelites didn’t have to do anything for those walls to fall. They had to meet conditions – walk thirteen times around the city, right? See the parallel to Eph 2:8-9 and our salvation?

Actually being baptized is admitting we can’t be saved on the basis of our works. Baptism is really an act asking God for his grace, forgiveness (Acts 2:38), and mercy.

hear Bible Crossfire Sunday nights at 8:00 central on SiriusXM radio Family Talk 131 or at BibleCrossfire.com