Is baptism necessary for salvation according to Acts 2:38?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

In the early church, it was unheard of for a believer to not be baptized right after salvation (see Acts 8:36, 38). Indeed, perhaps the only recorded case of an exception is the thief on the cross in Luke 23:39–43. While that exception proves the testimony of Scripture that faith is all that is required for salvation, the fact believers were assumed to be baptized believers shows how closely faith and baptism were related. In that way, they took Jesus’ final command seriously to baptize and teach disciples (Matthew 28:19–20; c.f., Acts 2:37–38). That assumption of all believers being baptized believers allowed authors like Peter to talk about baptism as connected with salvation.

In the immediate context, the people who heard Peter’s sermon had been deeply convicted of their sin. Peter was answering a question about what they should do now, to which Peter said that they should repent and be baptized. Greek grammar indicates that the focus of “repent” and “baptized” was different, with repentance being to them all, but “baptized” being directed to each who repented. Likewise, the rest of Acts, and Scripture as a whole, teaches that it is faith, alone, that brings salvation (Acts 10:43, 16:31, Ephesians 2:8–9, John 1:12, and so forth).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament does not talk about baptism.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Acts 2:38 includes the command, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” A close look at this passage clearly shows that baptism is not necessary for salvation. In particular, the original Greek used in this verse is helpful. The word translated “repent” and “your” are both plural. Conversely, the words translated as “be baptized” and “each of you” are singular. The idea is that if you (plural) repent, your (plural) sins will be forgiven and you (plural) will receive the Holy Spirit (salvation). In addition, each of you (singular) is to be baptized as a result of your faith.
• In addition to the Greek grammar, the rest of Acts clearly indicates that salvation is by faith alone. In just a few verses later, the account in Acts 3:38 is summarized as “those who had received his word were baptized” (Acts 2:41). To “receive his word” referred to the preaching of Peter and their expression of faith in the message. After that expression, they were baptized, showing a logical sequence of faith and salvation before baptism.
• Likewise, Peter later taught, “everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name” (Acts 10:43).
• Similarly in Acts, Paul and Silas said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31). In these and other cases, baptism is never mentioned as a prerequisite for salvation.
• The understanding of salvation coming through faith alone is consistent with the rest of the New Testament teaching. For example, Ephesians 2:8–9 notes, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Notice that no works—not even the work of baptism—is involved in salvation. It is by faith, alone.
• Similarly, John 1:12 says, that “to all who did receive Him, who believe in His name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Once again there is no mention of baptism. Instead, the “children of God” are those who believe in Jesus’ name.
• Consider the thief on the cross when he said, “remember me when You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42), he expressed faith in Jesus. Jesus didn’t say, “You must be baptized first,” but instead replied, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). Although he was not baptized, Jesus still affirmed his salvation, demonstrating that faith alone is what saves.
• To understand passages that link baptism closely with salvation, it’s helpful to consider how the early church viewed baptism. For early Christians, it was almost unthinkable to delay baptism after coming to faith. For instance, when Philip shared the Gospel with the Ethiopian, the man believed and immediately requested baptism (Acts 8:36). This immediate response aligns with Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples: “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19–20a). Jesus expected that all believers would be baptized and taught, which is why the early church so closely connected baptism with salvation.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Baptism, as described in Acts 2:38, is not the means of salvation but a public declaration of one’s faith. While it doesn’t save, it is a crucial step for all believers, symbolizing their identification with Christ. Wisdom may lead to delaying baptism in some cases to ensure true faith, but this should be rare.

Jesus’ final command to His disciples was clear: they were to baptize and teach those who came to faith (Matthew 28:19–20). Baptism publicly affirms a believer’s commitment to Christ, making it an important step after salvation. Salvation itself, however, comes only through faith, not through works or the act of baptism (Ephesians 2:8–9). The first essential step is repentance, as all are born under sin and in need of salvation (Romans 3:9–18, John 3:36). Once a person repents, baptism follows as an act of obedience and joy, serving as the believer’s first outward sign of faith.

UNDERSTAND

• Acts 2:38 and the broader New Testament consistently emphasize that salvation is through faith, not works like baptism.
• Baptism is closely associated with salvation but is a public declaration of faith, expected as the next step after repentance and belief.
• Early Christians were baptized immediately after coming to faith, reflecting the importance of baptism as an act of obedience, but not as the means of salvation.

REFLECT

• How does understanding that baptism does not save but is a public declaration of faith change your view of baptism?
• How have you experienced or seen the connection between repentance, faith, and baptism in your life or community?
• How can baptism serve as an act of obedience and joy in your walk with Christ, even though it does not save you?

ENGAGE

• How does the early church’s immediate baptism after salvation impact our current understanding of baptism in the Christian faith?
• What might be the dangers of misunderstanding baptism as necessary for salvation? How can we avoid this in our discussions and teachings?
• How can we encourage those who have come to faith to view baptism not as a work but as an act of obedience and joy in their relationship with Jesus?