Do we really have to be baptized to have our sins forgiven?... Please explain to me what Paul is talking about when he says, "I have been crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20). He also says, "a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too have put our faith Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified." He doesn't mention that we must be baptized. Please share your thoughts. -- Donna Smith

Galatians 2:20 refers to a time in our life when the old self was crucified. This moment is also alluded to in Galatians 5:24 and 6:14. Colossians also speaks of our death with Christ in 2:11-12, 2:20, and 3:1-5. The classic passage on our being crucified with Christ is Romans 6:1-7. All these passages are to be understood as baptismal. Paul explicitly says that we share in Jesus' death; we are crucified with him (Romans 6:6).

So there is no contradiction: baptism is when and where we are crucified with Christ. As for works of the law, baptism is nowhere described as a work of the law; it is only the means by which we appropriate grace. It is salvific, but not meritorious. For more on this, see my other Q&As on baptism at this website, or read through the advanced baptism study in Till the Nets Are Full (formerly Shining Like Stars).

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