Do I Need to be Baptized to be Saved? (1 Peter 3:21 Commentary)
The Confusion
There’s a verse in 1 Peter that makes it sound like baptism is required for salvation:
“Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ”
—1 Peter 3:21
Similarly, there’s a verse in Acts that makes it sound like you need to be baptized to have your sins forgiven:
“Peter told them, ‘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
But I thought we were saved by faith!? Do we really need to be baptized too in order to be saved?
Here are two insights about baptism that help me understand these verses.
Possibility 1: Baptism Signifies Following Jesus
Being baptized signifies following Jesus. When you’re baptized, you are leaving behind your old ways and stepping into the new way of Jesus. So when these verses talk about how baptism “saves” you and enables “forgiveness,” it might be talking about following Jesus—not just the physical act of being dunked or sprinkled.
Possibility 2: Baptism = Immersion
The word baptize means “to immerse.” Being immersed into water symbolizes being spiritually immersed into Jesus. Being spiritually immersed into Jesus means being completely surrounded by Him and fully engrossed in His ways. His thoughts become your thoughts, and His ways become your ways. This kind of spiritual immersion into Jesus is what saves us, so maybe that’s why these verses talk about baptism as if it saves us.
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