Is baptism necessary for salvation?

[TonyChanYT]

Ephesians 2:

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Is water baptism necessary for salvation?

Technically, no, because technically, baptism is a kind of ritualistic work. See also This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you.

Mark 16:

15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

The great commission is the context.

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,

Is water baptism optional?

No, believers are commanded to be baptized. Belief and baptism go hand in hand together. Jesus commanded us to spread the good news and baptize people who believe. Looking at baptism as an outward sign of salvation accompanied by inward repentance and faith, then baptism does save.

but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Belief is the key to salvation, not baptism. It does not say:

1. He who believes and is not baptized will be condemned
2. He who is not baptized will be condemned.

When a person believes, he should be baptized as soon as possible. Belief and baptism are a tightly knitted pair. If a person claims to believe but refuses to be baptized, then there is something wrong with his understanding of salvation.

Does baptism save?

Looking at baptism as an outward ritualistic work, it does not save anyone. However, looking at baptism as a sign of inward repentance and faith, then it does confirm salvation. God often uses external (physical) appearance to symbolize internal (spiritual) reality.

See also

• born of the Spirit
• When should you get baptized?

 

[Mungo]

This is my understanding.

The options from Mk 16:16
1. Belief + Baptism = salvation
2. Belief + no Baptism = ?
3. No belief + Baptism = no salvation (but see note below)
4. No belief + no Baptism = condemnation

Option 1 - [water] Baptism is the normative way that Jesus has given us for salvation.

However God may choose to save us without baptism but that is His choice not ours.
That is why the result of option 2 is unspecified.

Note:
Options 3 & 4 result in no salvation with two exceptions.
a) In the case of infants who are to young to be capable of belief the Catholic Church teaches that the belief of the parents & godparents is sufficient to raise the Baptism to option 1.
b) the Church does not know what happens to children who die unbaptised but has a hope that there is a way of salvation form them and entrusts them to the mercy of God.