John 3:16 is one of the most well-known verses in the Bible. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This passage has been used by many to downplay the importance of baptism and obedience all together. Is belief all that is needed to be saved?
The New Testament is filled with passages that proclaim the essentiality of baptism. Mark 16:16 says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” In Acts 2:38, Peter proclaims, “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” And 1 Peter 3:21 tells emphatically, “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” But what does John, chapter 3 really teach?
In John 3, Jesus is having a conversation with Nicodemus about what it means to be born again. Nicodemus asks in verse 4, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” His question shows that his first interpretation of Jesus’ words was a literal rebirth. This is obviously impossible. Jesus cannot be talking about a literal birth. So, Jesus answered him, “…unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” If a literal birth cannot be Jesus’ point, then this leaves only one option for what being born of water can be. Jesus is saying you must be baptized.
Nicodemus, the man Jesus spoke to, was a Pharisee (John 3:1). A Pharisee would have understood what baptism was. John the baptizer had been baptizing for some time prior to this meeting and some of the Pharisees even came to him to be baptized (Matt. 3:7). So, when Jesus told him to be born of water, he was living in a context that understood Jesus to be speaking of baptism.
John 3 continues this theme, recording John the Baptist’s explanation of Jesus’ baptism (v. 27-36). In his conclusion, the NKJV translates verse 36, “…he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” This may lead someone say that he is emphasizing belief. However, the ESV, NASB, and ASV provide a more accurate translation, “he who does not obey.” Throughout the Bible, nothing is emphasized more than obedience. It is how we express our love to God (John 14:15). If we do not obey God, we will not enter His kingdom, and baptism is an act of obedience.