1 Corinthians 1:17

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 

Paul was not sent to baptize with water but to preach the gospel. If baptism was a requirement for salvation, Christ would have sent the apostle Paul to baptize.

 

Romans 1:16-17
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- ⁹not by works, so that no one can boast.

We are saved by grace through FAITH in Jesus Christ.

Not works, including that of water baptism,

 

John 3:3-7
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. "
How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. ⁶Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. ⁷You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.'
 

The meaning of the words "born of water" is only understood within its own passage context.

Being "born of water" refers to natural birth, as Jesus  mentioned being "born of the flesh". Water baptism was not spoken of here and was not the topic of discussion. Jesus was answering Nicodemus' question "can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?".


Examine the context of words...

born of water  =  that which is born of flesh is flesh  

=  (first) time in mother's womb

born of the Spirit  =  that which is born of the Spirit

is spirit  =  born again

Natural birth is obviously the first birth as the first time we were born was not when we were water baptized. The Spiritual rebirth is being born again.

To assert that water baptism is being born of water has theological difficulties. Christians do not experience three births: natural birth, water baptism and Spirit baptism. Christ said a man must be born again but He did not say we must be born again and again.

Also, as seen from passages of Scripture elsewhere, Spirit and water baptisms are neither synonymous nor simultaneous.
 

1 Peter 3:21
and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
 

Belief in the completed work of Jesus Christ produces a clean conscience and saves (see Hebrews 9:8-14). Therefore, it is the faith in regard to baptism, not the water, that saves us.
 

Acts 22:16
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'
 

Sins are washed away calling on the name of the Lord and not by water baptism.

Acts 2:38
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
 

"for the remission of sins" should be understood as "because of the remission of sins". We are baptized BECAUSE our sins are remitted. We cannot be baptized TO BE remitted of sins.

 

1 Corinthians 12:13
For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Acts 8:14-16
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.

Romans 6:3-4
Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Galatians 3:27
for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
 

All of these passages refer to SPIRIT baptism, not water baptism.

Mark 16:16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned

We are not damned for not being water baptized. Unbelievers are damned. Those who are saved are water baptized consequential to their belief in Jesus Christ.

 

Acts 10:47-48
Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

 

In this passage is seen that the Holy Spirit is given to believers BEFORE water baptism. Hence, water baptism is a resulting act of obedience from faith. It cannot be a salvation requirement.

Conclusion,
Put your complete trusting faith in Jesus Christ to save you from your sins. After you believe in Him with all your heart be water baptized as a testimony that you do put your complete trust in Him.

 

 

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