Many modern Protestants, in a (desperate) attempt to avoid the clear biblical teaching of baptismal regeneration, seem to be unable to distinguish between different causes (e.g., formal and instrumental) as well as treat spirit and water baptism as numerically distinct “baptisms.” Consider the following from a recent anti-LDS work:
A point of contention in this
passage may arise from the statement, “For as many as have been baptized into
Christ have put on Christ” (Gal 3:27). A Latter-day Saint may appeal to this
verse to support the claim that water baptism is necessary to be in Christ and
thus required for salvation. According to LDS teaching, one must be immersed in
water by someone with proper priesthood authority to obtain salvation.
According to LDS teaching, one must be immersed in water by someone with proper
priesthood authority to obtain salvation. However, this interpretation is not
supported by the passage. The Greek word for “baptize” means “to immerse.” Paul’s
point is that those who have been immersed in Christ have put on Christ. This
immersion refers to spiritual immersion, not ritual or symbolic washing. It is
the work of the Spirit, not of human hands (cf. 1 Cor 12:13; Matt 3:11).
Throughout Galatians, Paul
consistently explains that salvation is by grace through faith. It would
contradict the entire flow of his argument to insert water baptism as a requirement
for receiving salvation. Adding any ordinance to the gospel undermines the sufficiency
of Jesus’ sacrifice. The suggestion that water baptism completes the process of
salvation implies that faith in Christ is not enough. Baptism is important in
the life of a believer and is commanded by Christ as a first step of obedience.
Yet, baptism is not what secures eternal life. It is not the water that changes
one’s standing before God. Eternal life is given by grace through faith in
Christ alone. (Nicholas J. Morganti, Free Grace for Latter-day Saints:
Sharing Galatians with the Mormons [Eslie Publishing House, 2026], 106-7)
For previous responses to Morganti’s previous work, Eternal
Life for Latter-day Saints: A Comparison of the Bible’s eternal Life &
Mormonism’s Exaltation (2024), see:
Response
to Nicholas Joseph Morganti on Changes in the Book of Mormon
Morganti's step-father is Aaron Marshall. Aaron is one of the three Protestants myself, Blake Ostler, and Spencer Marsh debated/dialogued with in March 2024 in Utah. One of the topics discussed was baptism. To see the entire discussion, see:
Latter-day Saint/Evangelical Protestant Dialogue
