Is Baptism just a symbol?

Is water baptism just a symbol? Many believe that water baptism is just a symbol. So it is not required for salvation. Let us see what the bible says.

There is a common belief that salvation occurs prior to water baptism so water baptism is a secondary action and it is not mandatory for salvation. But if this is the case, what then is the purpose of baptism?

Some may say that it is “an outward sign of an inward grace.” They believe baptism serves the purpose of providing an outward demonstration or public declaration that the person has already been saved.

But the truth is this particular understanding is not found in the Bible.

The water baptism in the New Testament allows the sinner’s sins to be removed by the blood of Jesus. This purpose is variously described as “to be saved” (Mark 16:16), “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38), to “put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27), to “enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5), to “wash away your sins” (Acts 22:16), to place one “into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13) and “into Christ” (Romans 6:3). These are parallel expressions that pinpoint the same design.

When Ananias told Paul to “arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16), he did not say it is symbolic cleansing or post-forgiveness washing. He did not mention that Paul’s sins were washed away before he was baptized in water.

But does the Bible teach that baptism just a symbolic significance?

No.

New Testament shows there are some parallel understandings in the bible about water baptism. 

There are some parallel of water baptism.  

(1) Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection; (Romans 6: 8-9, 4,10-11)

(2) Cutting off SIN (Colossian 2:11-14)

(3) The waters of the Flood. (1 Peter 3:18-22)

(4) It saved Israel (1 Corinthians 10:1-2)

But all these examples further verify the essentiality of immersion as a mandatory requirement for forgiveness of sins.

When Peter shared the gospel with the Jew and the Jew wanted to repent for their sins, then peter told them.

Acts 2: 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit

So we can understand it is not just a symbol but an essential requirement for salvation. All three repentance –baptism and the Holy Spirit are needed for salvation. 

But that does that mean that water (H₂0) itself is the cleansing agent? Of course not. Salvation is dependent upon atoning work of Jesus Christ on the cross: His death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). It is believe- repentance- baptism that helps the person to come out of the kingdom of sin.  

Some people may say that it is only just faith and faith alone. That it is not deeds but only faith.

You must understand what faith is. Faith is obedience. Faith is not knowledge or faith does not only believe in a person that once lived. Faith compels us to do something. Faith without work is dead.  

Faith in Jesus means to repent- baptized and to receive the Holy Spirit.