Baptism Is a Great Work of Obedience
Calling baptism a work does not make it unimportant. Salvation is not by works, but saved people are created unto good works. Baptism is one of the clearest early works Christ commands a believer to do.
- Separate salvation from Christian works.
- See why baptism is a good work after salvation.
- Use 1 Corinthians 1 to distinguish baptism from the gospel itself.
- Understand why obedience matters even when it does not save.
Saved by grace, created unto good works
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Verses 8 and 9 protect the gospel: salvation is by grace through faith, not of works. Verse 10 gives the proper place of works: after salvation, believers are created in Christ Jesus unto good works.
Baptism belongs in verse 10 territory. It is not how you become saved; it is something Christ has commanded a saved person to do.
Titus also separates salvation from our righteous works
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Even righteous works cannot be turned into the basis of salvation. God saves according to His mercy. That frees the believer to obey from gratitude rather than fear that his eternal life hangs on a ceremony.
Paul distinguished baptism from preaching the gospel
1 Corinthians 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
1 Corinthians 1:15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
1 Corinthians 1:16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
If baptism itself were the act that gave eternal life, Paul's distinction would be impossible to explain. Baptism is important; the gospel is the saving message of Christ.
Why baptism is a great work
It is a great work because the Lord commanded it, because it publicly honors Christ, because it pictures the gospel, because it identifies you openly as His disciple, and because it places obedience ahead of embarrassment, fear, or convenience.
Compare Scripture with Scripture
Scripture trail: Ephesians 2:8 • Ephesians 2:9 • Ephesians 2:10 • Titus 3:5 • 1 Corinthians 1:14 • 1 Corinthians 1:15 • 1 Corinthians 1:16 • 1 Corinthians 1:17 • Matthew 28:19-20
Do not rush past the references. Open them, read the surrounding verses, and make the Bible carry the weight of the conclusion.
Think it through
- What happens before water baptism in the passages, and what happens after it?
- What does baptism picture or publicly identify without making the water the cause of salvation?
- How would you explain both truths strongly: baptism matters greatly, and baptism does not purchase eternal life?
Teach it back
Without looking at the lesson explanation, summarize Baptism Is a Great Work of Obedience in two or three sentences and support your explanation from Scripture. If you cannot explain it simply yet, return to the passages and work through them again.
Slow down and work the text
Reopen Ephesians 2:8, Ephesians 2:9, Ephesians 2:10, Titus 3:5. Read enough before and after each verse to see the setting. Do not settle for remembering a slogan when you can inspect the wording for yourself.
- Write the main claim of Baptism Is a Great Work of Obedience in one sentence.
- Underline or write down the exact words in the passages that support that claim.
- Compare at least two of the passages. What truth becomes clearer when they are read together?
- Ask what could be misunderstood if one phrase were isolated from its context.
- Explain where baptism belongs in relation to salvation and why obedience matters after a person believes.
- Where does belief occur in relation to baptism?
- What does the passage teach baptism means or pictures?
- What should a believer do because Christ commanded baptism?
Baptism is a great work, but it is not a saving work. We are saved by grace through faith and then called to walk in good works.
The Ethiopian Eunuch: Believe, Then Be Baptized
17 min