Baptism Is Essential to Salvation

If I believe in Jesus, why do I need baptism?

The word baptism comes from a Greek word that means "dip" or "immerse." It is the introductory ordinance, ushering the recipient into the Church of Christ. While baptism is a prerequisite for membership in Christ's church, it is also a requirement for salvation. The law of the Church dictates the need for baptism. The words and actions of Jesus in the New Testament testify to the essential nature of baptism for salvation. 

I accept as true doctrine the salvatory benefit of baptism by immersion by one holding the necessary priesthood authority for the following reasons:

1) Jesus said baptism was necessary to "fulfill all righteousness" (Matthew 3:15). Jesus Himself was baptized by John the Baptist (see Mark 1:9) to set the example for the rest of us to follow. 

2) Further, Jesus stated specifically, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16), indicating that belief alone is not enough. He famously stated to Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5). "Born of the water" is commonly understood to be baptism, and entering "the kingdom of God" is the very definition of salvation.

3) Jesus commanded His apostles to "teach all nations, baptizing them" (Matthew 28:19). He would not have put this requirement for baptism on His disciples if it was not necessary.

4) After Jesus ascended into heaven, leaving His church in the hands of the apostles, those apostles continued to preach the need for baptism: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38). Additionally, the  Apostle Peter wrote in his general epistle to the Church, "even baptism doth also now save us" (1 Peter 3:21).

Hence, baptism was an indisputably essential ordinance in the ancient Church. If God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, shouldn't the same rules apply in other places and at other times?. Indeed, they do.

5) When the resurrected Christ appeared to the people in the Western Hemisphere, He spoke plainly of baptism: "And whoso believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God" (3 Nephi 11:33). 

6) In modern times, Jesus reiterated to the Prophet Joseph Smith the mandatory nature of baptism: "And as many as repent and are baptized in my name, which is Jesus Christ, and endure to the end, the same shall be saved" (Doctrine and Covenants 18:22). Further, in describing those who would inherit the celestial kingdom, which is God's kingdom in heaven, the revelation says, "They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given" (Doctrine and Covenants 76:51).

Thus, the requirement of baptism for salvation was taught anciently by Jesus Himself and His apostles, was instituted in both the Old World and the New, and has been reinforced by revelation to the prophet of this new dispensation. 

7) Finally, I accept the need for baptism not only as a Christian, but also as one of the articles my faith as a Latter-day: "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Articles of Faith 1:4).

I chose to be baptized when I was fifteen years old because I wanted to be eligible to be saved in the kingdom of God. There is certainly more to receiving the gift of salvation than being dunked in water. Salvation is a lifetime endeavor of learning, growing, following Christ, repenting daily, and receiving the gift of sanctification through the Holy Spirit. I do not earn salvation or sanctification through my works; they are gifts that God gives. But I must indicate my willingness to accept His gifts, and baptism is one of the signs of my desire to follow Christ and become a joint-heir with Him. Because I accept the  scriptures as the word of God revealed to mankind, I believe baptism is essential "because the Bible tells me so."