Sword Tips provides brief exhortations from God’s word, the Bible. They are intended to encourage Christians to remember and use God’s word throughout the day. Follow Sword Tips for daily exhortations from the Scriptures. Unless otherwise noted, all material is written by Joe R. Price.
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Since you believe that baptism is needed for salvation then is it a work of righteousness we must do to be saved?
Darrel Clark
Yes, baptism is a “work of righteousness” defined and commanded by God for our salvation (Mk. 16:16). There are God-given conditions we must meet in order to receive God’s gift of salvation. When we meet them, we do not earn or merit salvation, we are “unprofitable servants” merely doing our duty (Lk. 17:10). “Works of righteousness” that are commanded by men do not save us (Titus 3:5). At the same time, “whoever fears God and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35). Therefore, the commands of Christ (including, but not limited to water baptism) must be obeyed in order to be saved (Heb. 5:8-9). Jesus commanded belief and baptism in order to be saved in Mark 16:16. So, when we obey His command we act in faith and are saved “by grace, through faith,” (Eph. 2:8-9).