WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD? by steve finnell

Those who claim the baptism is not essential to be saved try to avoid Ephesians 5:25-27.

What is the meaning washing of water by the word? You can ask theologians, preachers, pastors, priests, a Christian friend, read Bible commentaries, or you can simply read it the Bible. I prefer to see what God's Word says about it.

Ephesians 5:25-27 .....just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. (NKJV)

Ephesians 5:26 to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God's Word; (The Living Bible Paraphrased)

Ephesians 5:26 He did this to make her holy by washing her in a bath of water with the word. (CEB)

Ephesians 5:26 He made the church holy by the power of his word, and he made it pure by washing it with water. (CEV)

Ephesians 5:26 He did this to make the church holy by cleans it, washing it using water along with the spoken words. (GW)

Ephesians 5:26 to make her holy and clean, wash by baptism and God's word; (TBL)

Ephesians 5:26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. (NASB)

Acts 22:16 'And now why are waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' (NKJV)

Yes, immersion in water is essential to have your sins washed away.

Yes, immersion in water is essential to become holy and without blemish

Yes, immersion in water is essential to become sanctified and cleansed.