In order to discredit the need to be baptized folks often allude to John 3:16 (probably the most widely known verse in Scripture). They use this good verse to say that only belief is needed to secure salvation.
In the first place, we should point out the need to be very careful of lifting a verse of Scripture out of its context. Man is the one that divided the Bible into chapters and verses. It can sometimes be very dangerous and misleading to let doctrinal matters be determined by one verse instead of the entire context. In addition, we do not have the liberty to make a verse mean something that the inspired author did not have in mind. There is nothing more important than the Gospel plan of salvation. It would seem prudent to look into the context carefully when determining matters of faith.
Doing so, we notice at the beginning of the chapter that Jesus is talking to Nicodemus about being born again. In Jesus’ explanation to Nicodemus He says, “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (verse 5). This is an obvious reference to water baptism. Notice then that Jesus is teaching that when His Kingdom is established, one cannot enter it without baptism.
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Notice carefully the last verse of this chapter. It says: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (verse 36). To believe is to obey! This certainly has implications for baptism that is taught in this chapter. If we believe we will obey. Do you believe?
Daren Schroeder
