Water Baptism Doesn't Save Today
The Baptism that saves us today is of the Spirit not of water. We must rightly divide the matter in scripture (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV), because there are different baptisms that are for different purposes throughout the New Testament. But there is only one baptism for us today that matters. (Which baptism is the important one to you?)
Ephesians 4:5 KJV One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
The Spirit of God is what baptism is important, not water. No matter how fancy the pool or authentic the location is. Or much less who it is done by... if it is not of God by his Holy Spirit, it does nothing for your eternal life today after the death burial and resurrection of Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:17 KJV For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Romans 1:16 KJV For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Acts 10:44 KJV While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Acts 11:15-16 KJV And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. (16) Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
We are saved by grace through faith! And that not of ourselves according to scripture. That is not of works. If it is by any deed we must do in order to gain salvation then it is no longer of grace... but if truly of grace then it can never be of works.
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9) Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 11:6 KJV And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
However, people would rather boast on themselves then Jesus. So they profess water baptism for salvation, because it was something they can do and control.
The people that teach water baptism saves today do not truly believe it. They are deceiving themselves and the masses. So no matter how simple it is to explain through the word of God, they will continue to believe a lie. This is because they had been told something else by some big-named pastor somewhere. Then having respect of persons, rather than fear for the word of God, the deception continues.
If they actually believed water baptism saves, then why not have their church open every day with a man standing by a pool inside ready to baptize whoever comes? That would be the great work of these ministers. Why do such church buildings only do it on particular days prescheduled in advance rather than baptize every day of the week, freely?? Many church buildings even use water baptism as a yoke of bondage. Saying "you can not be an official member of their church until we baptize you", (I know because I and my wife both experienced this separately). Or they put you through a set of hoops before they will baptize you. But if the act of being dunked in water saves, then what is causing any hesitation???
These people are hypocrites that believe water baptism saves today. They prove it by their actions. As mentioned just above and there is more that can be covered at length. But the short of it is, they are trying to have their own righteousness to trust in such things. Instead of just trusting Jesus and the work done already on the cross.
Romans 10:3-4 KJV For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (4) For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Romans 3:24-26 KJV Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: (25) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (26) To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
The truth is they just want to approve themselves by the flesh. They do not have the operation of God, but an operation done by men with vain imaginations. It is merely a tradition that has been used to get people back under the law and works of the flesh for salvation without true faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and calling on him to save. If God actually saves by grace, then what part have we in it at all?
Galatians 3:3 KJV Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Colossians 2:8-12, 20 KJV Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (9) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (11) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (12) 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. (20) Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
