“Works Versus Conditions”
One of the oldest responses to God’s plan of salvation, which includes baptism for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), is for people to chant, “But that’s earning salvation, and it means you believe in salvation by works.” The first thing to note is that God provided the means by which all mankind can be saved; men did not invent it. Peter was an inspired apostle—inspired by the Holy Spirit. God put immersion into the plan; it did not come to be there by committee or majority vote. No heretic slipped it into the Bible while no one else was looking.
Not only do we find it taught on the Day of Pentecost; it is mentioned throughout the Book of Acts (8:12, 36-39; 10:47-48; 16:14-15, 31-34). When Saul of Tarsus had repented of his sins, Ananias came to him and said, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16), which is exactly what Paul did (Acts 9:18). Baptism is the working of God—not man (Col. 2:12). For that reason, baptism is taught by Him; it did not originate with any man or group of men.
But what about the idea that being baptized earns salvation? Many people cannot distinguish between works of merit and conditions that must be met. No one thinks that, when a person is baptized, he somehow deserves to be saved. This idea is a fabrication, which is the reason that no one ever quotes a human author who spoke or wrote such a thing. Following is the proof that conditions and works are not the same. In Joshua 1:2, God pledges to give the children of Israel the land. But there are conditions to receiving this land which He promised to their fathers (v. 6): “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do all the law which Moses my servant commanded you…” (v. 7). If the land was a gift, why did Joshua need to be courageous? And why did they need to keep the Law of Moses? Keeping these conditions did not earn the land; it was still a gift, which verse 11 reaffirms.
The same is true of conquering Jericho. Israel marched around the walls thirteen times; then and only then were they allowed to shout (Joshua 6:3-5, 10). They kept the conditions God imposed on them; God made the walls fall down. Keeping the conditions did not earn them the city. Did Rahab earn salvation by keeping the scarlet cord in the window (Joshua 2:17-18)? She evidently met that condition since Joshua spared her and her family. She did not earn her freedom; she merely complied with the conditions required of her. Likewise, when people are baptized, they have not earned salvation; they have merely kept a condition God requires. Therefore, they receive the free gift.