By David Sproule
How many friends have I had over the years who denied the essentiality of baptism for salvation by claiming that whoever “believes” has “everlasting life” in John 3:16, and baptism is not even mentioned? Numerous. And, on the one hand, such an argument may seem legitimate, as the verse certain says, “whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” and baptism isn’t there. But, does that really prove that baptism is not essential?
If such an interpretative strategy was sound, then one cannot deny the conclusions demanded by that approach. If baptism is not essential for salvation because it is not mentioned in John 3:16, then anything else not mentioned in John 3:16 would also not be essential. Loving God is not mentioned, so it must not be necessary either (1 John 4:7; Gal. 5:6). Repenting is not mentioned, so it must not be necessary either (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30). Confessing one’s faith is not mentioned, so it must not be necessary either (Rom. 10:9-10; Matt. 10:32-33). Calling on the name of the Lord is not mentioned, so it must not be necessary either (Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:13). Obeying the Lord is not mentioned, so it must not be necessary either (Heb. 5:9; Matt. 7:21). Hope is not mentioned, so it must not be necessary either (Rom. 8:24). Do you see the point? Sound hermeneutics must be applied consistently to be sound!
Now, take that same reasoning and apply it in reverse to see if it applies. What about a verse that says repentance leads to salvation (Acts 2:38; 11:18) but does not mention believing at all? Is believing not necessary? What about a verse that says baptism leads to salvation (Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21) but does not mention believing at all? Is believing not necessary? It is obvious that belief is not excluded just because it is not specifically mentioned in a verse that teaches about salvation. Thus, Scripture obviously is not excluding baptism in John 3:16, simply because it is not mentioned.
The only way to know what the Bible teaches on a subject is faithfully gathering “the sum” of what the Bible teaches (Psa. 119:160) and “handling aright the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). Failing to do this can make the Bible mean anything you want (including even, if someone desired, to teach that faith is not necessary to salvation).
Go back to John 3:16. It certainly teaches that one who “believes” can have “everlasting life.” But is it teaching faith alone saves? Did you know that baptism is mentioned in verses 3-5 of this chapter (but faith is not)? Did you know that believing is paralleled with obedience in verse 36 of this chapter? You see, Jesus gave the entire picture, even in this chapter. Salvation requires faith, baptism and full obedience. Put it all together and you have the fullness of truth.