Is Baptism a "Work?

First Christian Church of Chicago
6 days ago
2 min read

(The Truth Might Surprise You)

In many Christian circles, there is a common fear: “If we say baptism is necessary, aren't we saying we are saved by our own works?”

It’s a fair question! We know that we are saved by grace through faith, not by our own efforts. But this concern actually stems from a misunderstanding of who is doing the work during a baptism.

1. The Passive Recipient

In the New Testament, the command is often "be baptized" (passive voice). You don’t baptize yourself; you receive baptism. Think of it like a patient on an operating table. The patient isn’t "working" to save their own life—they are lying still, trusting the surgeon to do the miracle.

In baptism, you are the recipient. God is the Actor.

2. A Divine Operation

Baptism isn't a human ritual or a "good deed" we check off a list to impress God. It is a work of God. Colossians 2:12 describes it beautifully:

"...having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."

It isn't the water that saves; it is God using the water as a means to apply His grace.

3. What is God Doing?

If baptism is God’s work, what exactly is He accomplishing in those moments?

Participation: He joins you to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 6:3-4).
Cleansing: He washes away the stain of sin, not by removing dirt from the body, but by providing a clean conscience (1 Peter 3:21).
Sealing: He marks you with the Holy Spirit, the guarantee of our inheritance.

The Bottom Line

Claiming that baptism is a "human work" is like saying that reaching out to catch a gift is "working" for your birthday present.

Baptism is the moment where faith meets God’s promise. It’s where we stop trying to save ourselves and allow God to do what only He can do: make us alive in Christ.

“He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” (Titus 3:5)