I’ve been asked many times, “If we’re saved by grace through faith, as Paul writes in Ephesians 2:8–9, then doesn’t that mean baptism and repentance aren’t necessary?” It’s a good question—an honest one. And when people raise it, I know they’re sincerely trying to understand God’s will.
Here’s what Paul writes: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)
Now, I absolutely believe that. Every word. We are saved by grace. It is not something I earn or achieve. It is God’s gift—freely given, not because I’m good enough, but because He is merciful beyond comprehension.
But let’s make sure we understand what Paul is saying—and what he is not saying. Some folks read that passage and come to the conclusion that repentance and baptism are somehow opposed to God’s grace or are examples of the “works” Paul mentions. But that’s not what Paul is teaching. Not at all.
Let me show you what I mean.
Repentance in the Context of Ephesians
Right there in the same context as Ephesians 2:8–9, Paul reminds the church about who they used to be: “We all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh… and were by nature children of wrath…” (Ephesians 2:3)
That’s repentance. They changed. They didn’t keep living the way they once did. They turned away from sin. They left behind disobedience and darkness. And now, Paul says, they are “His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (v. 10)
That’s not works of merit—it’s the fruit of a changed life. It’s repentance in action.
Paul doesn’t stop there. Ephesians 4 says: “You should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk…” (Ephesians 4:17)
Why? Because believers have “put off” the old man and “put on” the new. That’s repentance. That’s the transformation that accompanies real faith. It’s not a contradiction of grace—it’s the expected response to grace.
Later, in Ephesians 5, Paul gets even more direct. He says that no fornicator, unclean person, or covetous man will inherit the kingdom of God—but that God’s children are to be imitators of Him, walking in love and holiness.
So let me say it clearly: Paul expects repentance—not to earn salvation but because salvation changes a person. That’s not legalism. That’s the gospel in action.
What About Baptism?
Some people say, “Well, Paul never talks about baptism in Ephesians.” But I’d ask you to look again.
In Ephesians 4, Paul is pleading for unity, and here’s what he says: “There is one body and one Spirit… one Lord, one faith, one baptism…” (Ephesians 4:4–5)
He lists baptism right alongside faith, the Spirit, and the Lord Himself. If you want to argue that baptism isn’t essential, then you’d have to say the same about the “one faith” or the “one Spirit.” You can’t pull one of those out and call it optional.
In Ephesians 5, Paul describes how Jesus cleansed the church: “…that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word…” (Ephesians 5:26)
That’s a clear reference to baptism. It’s not some abstract, spiritual concept—it’s the moment when sinners are cleansed through their obedient faith. The same Jesus who gave Himself for the church also commanded baptism (Matthew 28:19), and Paul is reminding the Ephesians how Christ sanctifies His people.
And don’t forget—Paul himself was baptized (Acts 9:18), and so were the Ephesians. In Acts 19, we’re told that when they heard the truth, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. That’s history, and it’s consistent with Paul’s teaching in Ephesians.
“Raised Up Together”—A Link to Baptism
Go back to Ephesians 2. Just before Paul says we’re saved by grace through faith, he says this: “…even when we were dead in trespasses, [God] made us alive together with Christ… and raised us up together…” (Ephesians 2:5–6)
That language—“raised up together”—should sound familiar. Paul used it in Romans 6 and Colossians 2.
In Romans 6:3–4: “Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? … That just as Christ was raised from the dead… we also should walk in newness of life.”
In Colossians 2:12: “…buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God…”
So let me ask—when does Paul say we are raised to new life with Christ? At baptism. Not because water has power, but because faith meets obedience at the point God ordained.
If the Colossians were raised through baptism… and the Romans were raised through baptism… then is it not reasonable to conclude that the Ephesians were also raised up together with Christ at that same point of obedient faith?
Grace, Faith, and Obedience Work Together
Sometimes people set grace against baptism, or faith against repentance, as if these things are in conflict. But Scripture doesn’t do that. Paul certainly doesn’t.
Yes—we are saved by grace through faith. But biblical faith is never passive. It always responds. It always obeys. Hebrews 11 is full of examples of people who were “saved by faith”—but in every case, they acted in obedience.
Repentance and baptism are not works of merit. They are not about earning salvation. They are acts of submission—responses to God’s grace, done in trusting faith.
Let me say it as plainly as I can: Paul’s teachings on grace, faith, repentance, and baptism are in perfect harmony. There’s no contradiction. The only conflict arises when we try to divide what God has joined together.
What Should You Do?
If you’re reading this and wondering what God expects of you, I encourage you to follow the pattern found in Scripture:
- Hear the gospel (Romans 10:17)
- Believe in Jesus Christ (Mark 16:16)
- Repent of your sins (Acts 2:38)
- Confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9–10)
- Be baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27; Acts 22:16)
- And remain faithful (Revelation 2:10)
You’re not saving yourself—you’re submitting to the God who saves. You’re trusting in His grace by obeying His voice.
So no, Ephesians 2:8–9 does not mean baptism and repentance are unnecessary. Quite the opposite. It teaches that we are saved by a grace so powerful and generous that we are moved to surrender everything in faith—even our old life—and receive what we could never earn: the gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus.
If you want to learn more, I encourage you to open your Bible and study. Read the full letter to the Ephesians. Read Acts 19. Check out the resources available at apologeticspress.org.
God’s Word is clear. His grace is available. And salvation is closer than you think.
