The Battle Over Baptism

An important past of Christ's Great Commission is "baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (Matt. 28:19). Some groups baptize "because of" salvation already received, while others baptize "in order to receive" salvation. Is baptism essential to receive salvation? Or is it essential in order to be an obedient believer? Nine New Testament "water passages" have become the center of controversy because some groups employ them as proof texts in their case to establish the necessity of baptism to be saved. In "The Battle Over Baptism," Dr. Shelton Smith examines the nine passages carefully. His study clearly demonstrates that no New Testament passage requires baptism for salvation.