Thank God for another time to share in the Word! We just take a glance at some six things water baptism cannot or does not do. Recall that we took on a topic sometimes ago on "What the bible teaches on water baptism". Hope you enjoyed that then? Without wasting time, let's go!!
Water Baptism does not equal salvation
I think a lot of people should not have problem with this. Salvation apart, water baptism apart! In no way is a man who is water-baptised saved by it. Water baptism is works, salvation is grace through faith. Water baptism is "of yourselves": salvation is "the gift of God". Anyone could boast of water baptism because it is of works; but none can boast of salvation because it is of grace. Thus, in no way is water baptism equal to salvation.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Water baptism is not "pre-requisite" for salvation
But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
(Matthew 23:13 KJV)
Making void the word of God by your own tradition, which you have given forth. And many other such like things you do. (Mark 7:13 DRB)
Water baptism is not a post-requisite for salvation
When you get saved, that was COMPLETELY done; requiring no further deeds to affirm it. Do not get into the flesh seeking "perfection" having begun in the Spirit. Do not start to seek to "perfect" your salvation which you never earned in the first place by your hard-work. There is no such thing as post-requisite for salvation: if what was handed over to you was complete according to Colossians 2:10, then don't try to fill it up as if there were a vacuum or loop-hole in that God-made salvation. All the works of God are perfect and He has never manufactured a substandard, unbalanced thing before. Salvation is just one of those perfect things He made, and so are you.
How can you be so stupid? Do you think that by yourself you can complete what God's Spirit started in you? (Galatians 3:3 CEV)
You hear this today, hence never again say "you have been born again, but you still MUST be baptised in water, or else…" No more must we do that, and this was a very strict warning Paul gave to the Colossian church. You have been baptised with Jesus. You received this baptism when you received the gospel.
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12 KJV)
For better understanding and avoidance of repetition, please read my short article on What the Bible teaches on water baptism. Thank you.Water Baptism does not complement salvation
This is one reason you should never say water baptism is a pre or post-requisite for salvation. Water baptism is not "one of the pillars of Christianity". It is not one of the things a man that profess to be a Christian must surely have done. You do not stand any risk on the last day because you did not do water baptism! The malefactor that got saved on the cross was not asked to do it. Paul did not teach people to do it. Some may do it or have done it: but that makes or made no difference. It is not what you must carry along with your salvation.Water Baptism is not a plus to salvation
It does not make you more saved. It does not make you less saved. God is not thanked that you do it. It does increase your crown in heaven that you do much water baptism for people. It does not make heaven rejoice that you have thousands coming to be water-baptised. It does not write men's name in the Book of Life. There are no records of water-baptised people in heaven. This is definitely not to condemn those who water-baptise people, but to understand the proper place of water baptism; lest any take pride in his water baptism act or ministry. Water baptism makes no difference on salvation status because salvation status is attained not of works, but of grace.Water Baptism does not attest to salvation
It does not assure your salvation. It is not a proper outward show of the inward salvation. The first outward show or evidence that a man is saved is that he believes the gospel. The second (though not in all cases) is that he confesses with his mouth (Rom 10:8-9). After that he may or may not speak in tongues and live a righteous life. We can also say that he will heal the sick, cast out devils according to the words of Jesus in Mark 16:17. But to say that a man who is saved will be inspired by the Spirit in him that there is something he must still do called water baptism, God forbid! Hence water baptism is not an outward show of the inward salvation. Another probable show we could have for salvation is the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus for us. We can as well say that the Bible is our show or "mirror" by which we know whether we are saved or not. But water baptism is far from being a proof or attestation or demonstration of the heart salvation what God does in us at salvation need no fleshly show: the scripture is a sufficient show. That he has begun to bear fruit unto holiness is another correct show.Brethren, as we conclude, remember what Paul said:
Christ didn't send me to baptize. Instead, he sent me to spread the Good News (1 Corinthians 1:17 GW)
Stay blessed! Till next time!
