Baptism is a work, and we're not saved by works!
Phil Hunt

This is a common objection raised when we teach that a person does not receive the forgiveness of sins (and therefore is not saved) until he is baptized in water.  Let's look at this objection.  Is baptism a work that nullifies or undermines the gift of grace from God?

One text typically cited to discredit the necessity of water baptism is Ephesians 2:8-9, as stated below:

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Many then conclude that a person need do nothing to receive grace but have faith only, because after that point it becomes a work, thus making salvation no longer by grace but by works.  This reasoning is not only incorrect, but many who present this argument don't even believe it in practice!

What works are under consideration?

Those who present this argument might be surprised to hear that the Bible requires works!  We see this from James 2:24:

"Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."

We see from the context (cf. verse 21) that this is referring to justification before God.  Now, it appears that we have a contradiction in the scriptures!  Paul says that we're not saved by works, and James says that we are justified by works.  How can this be reconciled?  After all, the Bible cannot contradict itself if it is truly from God!

The key to understanding this question lies in the meaning of the word "works" in the context.  Just like any other word contained in the Bible (or common conversation, for that matter), we cannot take a word that has multiple meanings and arbitrarily assign the same meaning to all occurrences of that word in the text.  Consider the word love in English; this is one word that has many different meanings.  Do you love your spouse the way you love your friends?  Of course not.  Do you love your children the way you love your spiritual brethren?  No.  What if every time you said love, your listener always treated it as the kind of love you have for your children?  That would obviously be a gross misuse of your language, yet many people do the very same thing with God's communication to us.

The meaning of the word is usually dependent on the word's context.  The same word "works" (both in the English in Greek) is used in Ephesians 2:9 and James 2:24.  Let's comment on the contexts of both texts:

• Ephesians 2:8-9
  Notice that we are saved through faith, "and that not of yourselves" and that it is not of works, "lest any man should boast."  Why does Paul put these extra explanations on faith and works?  Why does he include "lest any man should boast"?  Paul is showing that if salvation were based on "works" (as used here), we could boast.  What is the implication?  The implication is that if salvation were of works, we would have earned our salvation (and therefore have boasting rights about it).  This is again emphasized with "and that not of yourselves."  Grace is a gift of God - we cannot earn our salvation.  Does this preclude obedience to God's will?  Of course not!  It simply means that we do not earn our salvation.
  
  When a person is baptized, is he or she earning salvation?  No.
  When a person is baptized, has he or she done something mighty to boast about?  No.
  Therefore, when a person is baptized, are they doing a "work" as used in this text?  No.
   
• James 2:24
  Reading James 2 is necessary to understand the context of James 2:24.  James teaches in the 2nd chapter that faith only will not save; obedience/action is also required.  We do not have a saving faith if works do not accompany that faith (v. 26): "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." We understand that a human body without a spirit is dead; likewise a faith without works is dead.
  
  Notice Abraham (v. 20-22, 24):
  "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? ... Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only."
  
  Was Abraham justified before God by his "works"?  Yes.
  Was Abraham's work (in this case) obedience to God?  Yes.
  When we obey is it a work according to James 2:24?  Yes.

In one case, the works involved are meritorious; in the other, humble obedience.  Let's ask just two more questions:

• Was Abraham justified by his works, as the term is used in James 2:21,24?  Yes.
• Was Abraham saved by his works, as the term is used in Ephesians 2:8-9?  No.

Remember that the term "works" must, logically, be used differently in the two texts.  Important:  If "works" is not used similarly in James 2 and Ephesians 2, we have a contradiction in the Word of God.

Is the argument consistent with other teaching by proponents?

Many who make this argument don't even believe their own argument in practice!  Many will insist that you must call on the name of the Lord to be saved (and we agree) based on Romans 10:13 - "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." However, verse 14 shows that this must occur after faith! "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?"  Clearly, a person must first believe before he can call on the name of the Lord!  Why isn't this a work as used in Ephesians 2?  Answer: calling on the name of the Lord is in no way a means by which we earn salvation.

The same argument can be made for repentance.  Most who teach that anything outside of faith is a work prohibited by Ephesians 2:8-9 turn right around and say you have to change your life to be saved!  We simply can't have it both ways.  If confession and repentance are not works as used in Ephesians 2:8-9, how can we say simple obedience in water baptism is (especially given that repentance takes far more "effort" than baptism)?

We are not trying to say that all who argue that "baptism is a work, and we're not saved by works" exhibit the above inconsistencies, but many do.

Conclusion

Understanding the way words are used in a given context is critical to the proper understanding of the author's intent.

Is baptism a work as used in Ephesians 2:8-9 (i.e., a action by which we earn salvation)?  No.
Is baptism a work as used in James 2:24 (i.e., humble obedience as a result of faith)?  Yes.

Therefore, the breakdown in the argument that says "baptism is a work, and we're not saved by works" occurs in its assumption that the usages of the words work and works are the same.  The argument fails because the two words (as used) cannot be scripturally defined to be the same thing.