No, baptism is not required for salvation.
Les Feldick consistently teaches that salvation is by faith alone in Christ's finished work on the cross, and adding any human work—including baptism—cancels the work of the cross. He emphasizes that baptism was part of the Jewish kingdom message, not the Gospel of grace for today.
1 Corinthians 1:17 — Paul states Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the Gospel, distinguishing baptism from the core message of salvation.
The Gospel that saves is explicitly defined as the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). This is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes (Romans 1:16). The Bible does not list baptism as a condition for salvation in this age of grace. Instead, salvation is described as an act of God whereby He forgives, justifies, sanctifies, glorifies, and seals the believer—all accomplished instantly at the moment of faith, not through any outward ritual.
Les Feldick teaches that baptism has no part in salvation. He stresses that salvation is entirely based on Christ's finished work on the cross; adding any human effort, including baptism, cancels the work of the cross. He points out that in Acts 8, Philip's message was about the Kingdom and Jesus as the Messiah, not the full Gospel of grace. Baptism was tied to the Jewish kingdom message of repentance and should not be carried over as a requirement for believers today. The only response God asks is to believe the Gospel.
Les teaches that salvation is the all-inclusive work of God on our behalf, accomplished instantly when we believe. He clarifies that baptism, like any work of the flesh, has nothing to do with salvation. Adding baptism to faith would imply Christ's work was incomplete and that we must contribute something, which cancels the cross.
In Acts 8, Philip preached concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, identifying Him as the Messiah. This is not the full revelation of the Gospel of grace—that Christ died for sins and rose again. The context is the Jewish kingdom message, where baptism was associated with repentance. This passage does not support baptism as a requirement for salvation today.
The proper response is to believe that Christ died, was buried, and rose again, and to trust entirely in that finished work. Les emphasizes that faith is not mere intellectual assent but total entrusting of one's eternal destiny to the Word of God. Any addition to faith—whether baptism, church membership, or good works—negates the cross.
Is Baptism Required for Salvation? What Acts 8 Really Says
And we're all here for a whole afternoon. And that means that this is a whole month of programs, you know. So I can about imagine that somebody clear out in California must think, well he wore that shirt last week, he wore it the week before, but we like you to know that we just tape four programs. And all of that is for various reasons, budgetary wise, and travel wise, and everything else.
Adding Works Cancels the Cross
Les warns that depending on any human work—like baptism—as part of salvation cancels the work of the cross, because Christ finished everything needed on the cross.
Paul's Mission: Preach the Gospel
Les contrasts John's baptism of repentance with Paul's mission to preach the Gospel—Christ died, was buried, and rose again—showing that baptism is not the focus for today.
Justified by Faith Alone — What Romans 4 Really Teaches
Now that's enough to scare anybody, because multitudes of church people are doing that. They're saying, yeah, but I can't be saved unless I do this, or do that, or do that. You're canceling the work of the cross, because we have to believe that when Christ died and rose from the dead, He did everything that a holy God could demand of us, and all that holy God asks is, believe it, believe it, and i…
Salvation Is God's Work
Les teaches that salvation is an all-inclusive act of God—forgiveness, justification, sanctification, glorification, baptism into the body, and sealing—all done instantly at the moment of belief, with no human contribution.
Faith Alone, Not Church Rituals
Les points out that the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes—not to those who join the church, get baptized, take communion, or do good works; those have nothing to do with salvation.
Christ in You — What Galatians 5 and Romans 8:10 Really Mean
Nothing! And the first time I saw that, it just scared me to death. How many millions of good people, church members, who wouldn't dream of missing a Sunday morning service, and yet they're depending on something of the flesh that they have done, rather than just rely totally on the finished work of the cross. And this is any one thing, plus the cross. You cancel it.
What Does "Saved by Faith" Really Mean? Romans 1:16-17
You know, I've told you over the years now as I've been teaching, be aware of what is not in Scripture that we think should be. Well, here's a good one. And should I read this verse the way a lot of people think it should have been written? Now I'm not adding to, I'm just making an example.
1 Corinthians 1:17: For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Shows that baptism is not part of Paul's gospel mission, distinguishing it from the core message.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Defines the gospel that saves—Christ's death, burial, and resurrection—with no mention of baptism.
Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Emphasizes that salvation is through believing the gospel, not through any ritual or work.
No. Les Feldick teaches that baptism is not part of salvation. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ's finished work. Adding baptism or any other work cancels the work of the cross.
Paul's mission was to preach the gospel—Christ died, was buried, and rose again. He was not sent to perform baptism like John the Baptist did. This shows baptism is separate from the saving gospel.
No. The Gospel of grace is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Baptism is not part of that message. It was associated with the Jewish kingdom message, not our current dispensation.
Watch the Teaching: Is Baptism Required for Salvation? What Acts 8 Really Says