To say that baptism is for salvation is correct, just know that a lack of faith in Jesus is what damns a person. Jesus said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:15,16) Therefore, those who believe in Jesus are baptized. However, only those who don’t believe in Him are unsaved. And we have Paul who said, “wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:24-27) Putting on Christ is important, however, not everyone has a chance to be baptized, having received Jesus in their last moments of life. As for what Jesus said, every person who believes in Him and is baptized shall be saved. And how are we saved through baptism? Paul helps us with this question when he said that we put on Christ in baptism. This means we continue to live out our faith all our lives.
Jesus said that “except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” (John 3:6,7) With the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we die to our old flesh and are made a new person in Christ Jesus. That is how we are born again in the Spirit, where the Holy Spirit is now leading us. Peter said, “for Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.” (1 Peter 3:18-22)
Like in times past, the people on Noah’s ark were saved by water, which is in the representation of baptism. And now as God’s people, our faith in Jesus saves us, which compels us to be baptized. He is the only person who has the power to make us clean through the blood that was shed for us on the cross. And now in baptism, we die to ourselves and rise with Him. All power and glory are in the hands of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has the power to save any person who will give their life to Him. This is even without baptism, as Jesus said our lack of faith is what damns us. Going down into the waters of baptism means you have a desire to walk in the Spirit and have Him continually in your lives. Does this mean that we can only be saved through baptism? No, it does not. Our faith in Christ is unto salvation. If a person lives their whole life in faith, not having been baptized, then their faith in Jesus saves them. This is like the thief on the cross, who believed in Jesus and was saved. Only if people do not believe in Jesus, are they condemned and not saved. In conclusion, baptism is very important and should not be taken lightly, for we put on Christ in baptism. Amen.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I give my life to You completely. I can say that I have faith, but if I am not living for You, then I am only lying to myself. Take my hands and do a new work in me. The day I was baptized, You filled me up with the Holy Spirit. And the best thing about that day is that You came, Jesus, and dwelled inside of me. Thank You, Lord. I have never been the same since the day I put my trust in You and was baptized. I ask that You watch over me and my family. Keep our eyes fastened upon You. I only wish to be led by the king of glory now. Forgive me of my sins and have mercy upon my soul. I understand that Your eyes are opened to those people who are obedient to You and closed off to the wicked. In saying that, look upon me now. I am no longer distant from You, but desirous to live my whole life for You, God. Yes, Lord. I give my whole life to serve You. Tear out of my life anything that is distracting me and leading me on a path that leads to destruction. Only You can take me where I am today and lead me on Your path of holiness and righteousness. Surely, I am not able to do any of this on my own power. I need You to give me strength. Therefore, I come to You each day to fill me up with Your power. I believe in You, Lord. You are so good to me, God. I trust in You. I believe in You. I love You. Amen.
