Faith and Works FAQ

Question:

Baptism is just the first act of obedience by a SAVED person.

Answer:

That's just not what Peter told people in the very first gospel sermon. Read Acts 2:38 carefully. Those folks asked how to have their sin forgiven and he said "Repent, and be baptized FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS." Are you saying they were saved IN sin, only to be forgiven later at the point of baptism? Does that make sense? When Paul asked what to do to be saved he was told "Arise and be baptized AND WASH AWAY YOUR SINS" (Acts 22:16). What does baptism do? Washes away sin. How then can it not be necessary to salvation?