Bible Question: Must one be baptized to be a “church” member?

Bible Answer: To my knowledge, you cannot go into any church (except that of the Quakers) without being baptized. Baptism means different things to different churches, but one must submit to some kind of ordinance which the church calls baptism before becoming a member.

Let us put aside the various teachings of denominationalism and see what the Bible says on the subject. The question that reallymakes a lot of difference is: “Must I be baptized in order to be saved?”

Jesus said, “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16). This verse teaches that two things are necessary before one shall be saved—belief and baptism.

The apostle Peter told the multitude on Pentecost to “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”(Acts 2:38). It is hard for me to believe that any denominationalist would accept the idea that a sinner does not have to repent in order to be saved or have his sins remitted. But note carefully that the one who is promised “the forgiveness of sins” is the one who does two things: repent and be baptized. One of these without the other does not promise anything.

From these two verses, if one must believe (or have faith) and repent to be saved, he must also be baptized, because baptism is connected to both words by the “and”. This work “and” means “plus; also; in addition; added to”. One must believe to be saved, and he mustrepent to be saved, but he also must be baptized to be saved.

In spite of these plain statements from the pages of inspiration, many refuse to accept the idea that a man must be baptized in order to be saved. Many churches teach a ritual of baptism in order to be a church member and do not teach the truth on the essentiality of baptism.

Let us except only what the Bible says about baptism and how one becomes a member of Christ’s church.