NEPHI - Why do LDS teach that baptism is essential for salvation, as does the BOM is 2 Nephi 9, when the Bible plainly teaches that baptism is a sign of one's salvation? For example, the 2nd clause of Mark 16:16 suggests the view that belief in Christ saves, and not baptism. It does not say he that is unbaptized is unsaved. John 3:5 - Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus about being born again. (1) the way of salvation through faith in Christ is given in verses 15 and 16. (2) The context of the chapter leaves no doubt that belief in Jesus is the only way of eternal life. Even though historically there have been various understandings of what the word water means in chapter 3, when it comes to the means of salvation, belief alone is mentioned. Also, the mention of water does not always include baptism. Baptism is not specifically named in the entire chapter, so this interpretation is not indisputable. What is indisputable is that verse 15,16 teach that belief alone leads to eternal life.

JOEL - Believing in Christ is very important. In fact it is the very first principle of our Gospel (See Article of Faith #4). However Jesus said:

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

Sounds to me like both belief and baptism are very essential for our salvation.
In your scriptures you refer to, when Jesus said:
"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (verse 5)
This is obviously speaking of baptism. What else could "being born of water" mean? You said baptism was not mentioned in the entire chapter. However, immediately after talking about the importance of believing in Christ as you mentioned, Jesus and the others immediately started baptizing people(verses 22-26).
Peter said:
"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2: 38)
If we want to be forgiven of our sins, which is a requirement to enter God's kingdom(1 Cor 6:9, Gal 5:21, Eph 5:5), Peter says we must be baptized. Peter also said baptism saves us:
"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us" (1 Pet. 3: 21)
Jesus Himself believed baptism was so important and necessary that He allowed Himself to be baptized:

"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness."(Matt 3:16)
If the sinless Jesus thought it was necessary to be baptized "to fulfill all righteousness" then shouldn't it apply especially to us sinners even more?

Return to top

Return to Questions
HOME