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“All Wet”
Categories: SALVATIONCan you be baptized and not be saved?Sincerely,
Water Worries
Dear Water Worries,
People are baptized all the time without being saved! The word ‘baptism’ comes from the Greek word ‘baptizo’ which means ‘immersion’. The word ‘baptism’ is the same word that Greeks used when a ship sank to the bottom of the ocean or when someone dove to the bottom of a swimming pool. In the most technical sense, people are baptized when they take baths, go swimming, etc. Taking a bath will baptize you, but it definitely won’t save you.
Baptism is only effective when it is done by faith (Col 2:12) and by the authority of Christ (Acts 2:38). When we are immersed in water for the purpose of appealing to God for a clear conscience (1 Pet 3:21), then we are saved. Baptism is only effective when combined with belief in Christ (Mk 16:16).
