Faith, repentance, confession, and baptism by immersion are all required
Churches of Christ teach that salvation requires: (1) faith in Jesus Christ, (2) repentance from sin, (3) confession of Christ as Lord, and (4) baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. Baptism is not merely symbolic but is the moment at which God forgives sin and grants the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). This is sometimes described as 'baptismal regeneration,' though Churches of Christ typically prefer the language of the text: baptism 'for the remission of sins.'
This position distinguishes Churches of Christ from most evangelical Protestants who regard baptism as an act that follows salvation (rather than completing it). Churches of Christ point to Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3–4, and 1 Peter 3:21 as requiring this understanding. Salvation by faith alone without baptism is generally regarded as incomplete or insufficient, which has sometimes led to questions about the validity of other Christians' conversions.
Key Distinctions
- Justification means:
- faith + repentance + baptism by immersion required for remission of sins
- Election type:
- Arminian — free will; conditional; universal atonement
- Baptismal regeneration:
- baptism necessary for salvation — Acts 2:38 understood literally
- Eternal security:
- can fall away — faithfulness required
Scripture References
Sources
- Alexander Campbell, The Christian System (1839)
- Rubel Shelly, I Just Want to Be a Christian (1984)