Articles
Is It True That All One Has To Do To Be Saved Is "Believe And Be Baptized Into Christ?"
Garland M. Robinson
No, it is not true. Though salvation does not and can not come without obedience to these two essential commands, it must be understood that obedience to these two commands alone does not secure salvation. There is more that one must do to be saved.
Jesus did indeed say, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). Denominational preachers preach anything and everything but the commands of this verse! Jesus here speaks of at least two things that are essential to be saved: belief in him and water baptism. However, there are other things Jesus commanded one must do in order to be saved that are not stated in this verse.
The Lord made repentance of sins an essential element for salvation. In Luke 13:3 he said, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Repentance means to change the mind, to think differently. Such a change in mind leads to a change in action or manner of living. A liar no longer lies. A thief no longer steals. An adulterer no longer commits adultery. Without repentance, no one will or can be saved (Acts 17:30; 2:38)!
The Lord made confession of faith in him a requirement for salvation. In Matthew 10:32-33 he said, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." No one will be saved that does not confess that Jesus is the Christ the divine Son of God. It was necessary that the man from Ethiopia make this confession. When he asked if he could be baptized "Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:37).
Living faithful to the Lord's commands after faith, repentance, confession and baptism is also essential to salvation. "...Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Revelation 2:10). Without continuing to live according to the Lord's Word, no one will be saved regardless of how much they believe or how many times they are baptized.
Belief and baptism are essential to salvation but certainly not ALL one must do to be saved. Obey all, not just a part!
It is not only misleading, but also incorrect to so teach.
