Work vs Figure

Baptists and faith only groups teach Ephesians 2:8-10 means baptism cannot be for salvation. Salvation is by grace and not of works.

They make a mistake however by confusing baptism with a work,

Ephesians 2:8 is likely speaking of works of righteousness that fulfill moral law. See Titus 3:5-8 where water is separated from works of righteousness.

Baptism is a figure and not a work of moral fulfillment. It is an act of faith and not fulfilling moral law.

1Pe 3:21  The like figureG499 whereuntoG3739 even baptismG908 doth alsoG2532 nowG3568 saveG4982 usG2248 (notG3756 the putting awayG595 of the filthG4509 of the flesh,G4561 butG235 the answerG1906 of a goodG18 conscienceG4893 towardG1519 God,)G2316 byG1223 the resurrectionG386 of JesusG2424 Christ:G5547

We can include baptism into salvation without violating the works passage of Ephesians 2:8. It is a figure and not a work of morals.

Also, neither Catholic baptism nor protestant baptism can save.

1. Catholic baptism isn't a figure of the death, burial, and resurrection as they currently practice it. It only saves when used as a figure..

2. Protestant faith only groups do not tie baptism to salvation.

Only baptism as a figure truly saves. It is a pronouncement of faith in the Gospel.

This matches Noah's salvation and Abraham'where both involved obedience to a figure.

Heb 11:19  Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. 

Baptism isn't a work we do, it is done on us as we submit to having it done to us. It is by submission, but God cleanses. We do not have the power to cleanse ourselves from sin, God does that in Christ.

It is similar to Noah's flood where God caused the flood that destroyed sin in the world. The water was an act of God and not Noah. God is the one who commands water and acts through it.

"Not by works of righteousness that we have done" Titus 3:5-8

The works excluded are works personally done, not works of God that we enter into.

Forgiveness is God's work, so baptism doesn't violate any works passages. It is that simple.