Is Baptism a Work of Human Merit?
It has been argued by not a few that baptism is a work of
human merit and therefore not necessary for salvation. I
will in fact acknowledge that if baptism is a work of human
merit, then it has no place in the plan of salvation. No man
has the right or authority to devise his own plan of salvation
and expect to be saved now or eternally. But, what do the
scriptures say?
In Titus 3:5, the inspired record declares, “Not by works
of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy
he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the
Holy Ghost.” Paul clearly affirmed that we are not saved “by
works of righteousness which we have done.” The Scriptures
speak relative to two different kinds of works of
righteousness: (1) Man’s, and (2) God’s. Obviously, Paul was
speaking about man’s own meritorious righteous works.
Again, no man can orchestrate and concoct his own scheme
of salvation. However, in Acts 10:35, Peter said that we
must “work righteousness” in order to be accepted of God.
Since there are no conflicts in the Scriptures, Peter must
have been referring to working, not man’s righteousness, but
God’s righteousness (see also Rom. 1:16-17; 3:22).
In Titus 3:5, Paul tells us how we are not saved and then
he tells us how we are saved. He stated, “but according to his
mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing
of the Holy Ghost.” As one can clearly see, “the washing of
regeneration” is divorced from those works of righteousness
which we have done. What is “the washing of regeneration?”
It is acknowledged by practically everyone that this is a
reference to baptism. Let’s put “baptism” in its place and
then read the passage: “Not by works of righteousness which
we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by
baptism, . . .” What does this say about baptism? It
teaches very plainly that baptism is not a human meritorious
work. No man came up with or invented baptism. God did!
When one submits to baptism, they are not obeying a human
work, but a work from God (see John 6:28-29). This is what
the Bible calls obedience (cf. Heb. 5:9; Matt. 7:21).