Churches of Christ teachings on salvation vary, but C. Gene Brownlow’s 2015 book exemplifies the classic patternistic view: water immersion is the mechanism of salvation—where grace comes through faith “at” baptism, contacting Christ’s blood and obeying the gospel as outlined in Romans 6, even replacing circumcision per Colossians 2. This article systematically refutes these claims using Scripture alone, showing justification is by faith, with baptism as an obedient seal and picture.

Start with the thief on the cross in Luke 23:42-43: “Today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” Brownlow dismisses this as pre-New Testament, but Christ’s cross inaugurated the New Covenant . Faith alone suffices here, setting the paradigm—no exceptions needed.

Next, Acts 2:38: “Repent… be baptized… for  the forgiveness of sins.” Brownlow reads “eis” causally , but Matthew 26:28 uses it the same way for Christ’s blood “for” remission—indicating purpose or result, not cause. Acts 3:19 ties repentance alone “for” refreshing.

Acts 22:16 : “Get up, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.” CoC emphasizes “wash away,” but the main action is “calling on His name”—baptism accompanies obedient response, not effects it. Acts 22:10 shows Paul already addressed Christ as Lord pre-baptism.

Acts 8:34-38 : Philip preaches Jesus; eunuch believes and says, “What prevents me from being baptized?” He goes down into water and comes up “rejoicing.” Belief precedes baptism—no delay for “forgiveness moment”; joy indicates salvation already received .

Matthew 28:19 commands: “Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… teaching them.” The participles “baptizing” and “teaching” are means within the main imperative “make disciples,” placing baptism in a process of holistic obedience after faith initiates.

The Greek βαπτίζω isn’t always water immersion. First Corinthians 12:13 states, “By one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” Ephesians 4:5’s “one baptism” aligns with this Spirit baptism , with no mention of water—Brownlow’s uniformity fails.

Ephesians 2:8-10 clarifies: “By grace you have been saved through faith… not as a result of works… created in Christ Jesus for good works.” Salvation precedes works like baptism; Brownlow’s mechanism contradicts verse 9.

Ephesians 4:5’s “one baptism” parallels First Corinthians 12:13’s body-uniting Spirit work. A water view contradicts CoC rebaptism practices.

Blood contact happens by faith, not water: Ephesians 1:7 says redemption is “through His blood” in Christ by believing . Romans 6:3 describes metaphoric union into Christ’s death—no explicit blood.

“Obeying the gospel”  comes by faith . Romans 6:4 pictures this: “buried with Him through baptism into death”—symbolic reenactment, with if/then statements exhorting ethical living among the already saved, not conditioning salvation.

Hebrews 5:9 calls Christ “the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” The present participle indicates ongoing obedience as persevering faith , not a one-time rite.

James 2:24—”justified by works and not by faith alone”—addresses dead, professing faith . Abraham was reckoned righteous by faith first , later vindicated publicly . Works evidence, not cause.

Colossians 2:12—”buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith”—parallels the spiritual “circumcision made without hands” . Romans 4:11 confirms: Abraham believed and was justified before circumcision, which sealed his righteousness. Likewise, faith justifies before baptism seals covenant obedience.

In every case—temporal , linguistic , sequential —CoC baptismal regeneration fails. The gospel is Christ’s death for sins; repent and believe to be saved, then obey including baptism .

Faith in Christ now—baptism as joyful response. Ephesians 2:8-9.

Scripture alone.