Is Baptism Necessary For Salvation?
We Offer Luther's Opinion
By Rev. Jack Cascione

 

The Lutheran Confessions teach that baptism is necessary for salvation. Christ also says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Mark 16.

However, one hears about the thief on the Cross, as if this event prior to the command of baptism in Matthew 28:20, is the exception to the rule that removes the rule. Faith is also necessary for salvation, a rule to which there is no exception in the Bible. Yet there is no question that the unborn children of Christians, who die in the womb or before a reasonable intended date of baptism, have eternal salvation.

However, many Lutheran pastors, in their attempt not to appear "legalistic," will suggest that baptism is not necessary for salvation, when it most certainly is necessary as we see in the following quotations from the Lutheran Confessions.

Article II: Of Original Sin Page 43
"Also they teach that since the fall of Adam, all men begotten in the natural way are born with sin, that is, without the fear of God, without trust in God, and with concupiscence; and that this disease, or vice of origin, is truly sin, even now condemning and bringing eternal death upon those not born again through Baptism and the Holy Ghost."

Augsburg Confession Article IX: Of Baptism. Page 47
"Of Baptism they teach that it is necessary to salvation"

Apology: Article IX: Of Baptism Page 245
"The Ninth Article has been approved, in which we confess that Baptism is necessary to salvation, and that children are to be baptized, and that the baptism of children is not in vain, but is necessary and effectual to salvation."

The Large Catechism Page 733
"But, in the first place, we take up Baptism, by which we are first received into the Christian Church."


The question is: "What does Luther say on this subject?" What does he say about the children of Christians who die in the womb when we see the words, "Baptism is necessary for salvation"? Should we say that Baptism is necessary for salvation or not? The following quotations from Luther prove most enlightening.


Separate the Word from Baptism, from absolution, and from the Lord's Supper, and they will be nothing. LUTHER'S WORKS Vol. 4:272

This distinction is very necessary; for the heretics-either because they have no knowledge of it or disregard it-fall into ugly errors. The conclusion at which Schwenkfeld arrives in the following manner is not universally and unqualifiedly true: Nothing external is profitable for salvation. Baptism, the preaching of the Gospel, and the Lord's Supper are externals; hence they are of no avail for salvation. The major premise is clearly false, for one must make a distinction among externals. Some are wholly human and have been invented by human beings. Of these the major premise is true. But concerning those that have been instituted and commanded by God the major premise is not true; for they have been instituted for our salvation, as Christ says about Baptism (Mark 16:16): "He who believes and is baptized will be saved," and Paul (Rom. 10:10)" "With the mouth confession is made unto salvation." LUTHER'S WORKS Vol.4:273

But if at times some things happen without the service either of angels or of human beings, you would be right in saying: "What is beyond us does not concern us." We must keep the ordered power in mind and form our opinion on the basis of it. God is able to save without Baptism, just as we believe that infants who, as sometimes happens through the neglect of their parents or through some other mishap, do not receive Baptism are not damned on this account. But in the church we must judge and teach, in accordance with God' s ordered power, that without that outward Baptism no one is saved. Thus it is due to God's ordered power that water makes wet, that fire burns, etc. But in Babylon Daniel's companions continued to live unharmed in the midst of the fire (Dan. 3:25). This took place through God's absolute power, in accordance with which He acted at that time; but He does not command us to act in accordance with this absolute power, for He wants us to act in accordance with the ordered power. LUTHER'S WORKS Vol. 4:274

Therefore nobody will obtain salvation through so-called spiritual speculations, without external things. Attention must be paid to the Word, and Baptism must be sought. The Eucharist must be received, and absolution must be required. All these are indeed externals, but they are included in the Word. Hence the Holy Spirit works nothing without them. LUTHER'S WORKS Vol. 4:274-275

Let him who wants to contemplate in the right way reflect on his Baptism; let him read his Bible, hear sermons, honor father and mother, and come to the aid of a brother in distress. LUTHER'S WORKS Vol. 4:275

And I stated above that God is able to make a human being out of clay. But a different way pleases Him, namely, that you become a husband and take a lawful wife. Thus He would be able to teach and enlighten hearts without the ministry of the Word, but He does not want to do so. For this reason He has established the external ministry and has instituted the sacraments. He is able to forgive sins without Baptism, but He does not do so; for He wants us human beings to have a share in His workings. Therefore it would be the height of ingratitude to despise these. You must have the same conviction about prayer. For this is God's ordered will: He wants to be entreated, and to those who entreat Him He wants to give the Holy Spirit and everything they need. LUTHER'S WORKS Vol. 4:288


My conclusion from the Bible, Luther's Works, and the Lutheran Confessions is that we should always publicly teach that Baptism is necessary for salvation. However, the God who saves, depending on the circumstances and His choice, certainly saves people without baptism. He has not given us a list of exceptions. He gave us baptism. We should teach that Baptism is necessary for salvation and deal with exceptions, as we might humanly conclude they are, on an individual basis. We don't build theology on exceptions but the Word of God. 1Peter 3:21 says, "Baptism doth now save us." We look for assurance in God's Word and promises.


Rev. Jack Cascione is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS - MI) in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He has written numerous articles for Christian News and is the author of Reclaiming the Gospel in the LCMS: How to Keep Your Congregation Lutheran. He has also written a study on the Book of Revelation called In Search of the Biblical Order.
He can be reached by email at pastorcascione@juno.com.

July 19, 2000