Baptism is an outward expression of what inwardly has already taken place.
Acts 8:36–37 says, ‘Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”’ (NKJV). Many people today believe they are saved because they have been baptized; this is like someone thinking they are married because they put a ring on their finger. Though both a wedding ring and a baptism are important symbols, we must remember they are just symbols. What makes a wedding ring important is not the ring itself but the covenant relationship it represents, and the same is true with baptism. Being baptized does not make anyone saved; it is a public declaration that you have been saved. “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” (Acts 8:37 NKJV) Baptism is a public proclamation of your faith in Christ. It is declaring to the world, I am a new creation. The old me is gone, I am born again! See, Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 23:42-43, Acts 2:38, Acts, 8;36-37, Romans 6:1-5. This does not mean we should treat baptism like it is unimportant; we should all cherish the day we get to stand up in the assembly of the saints and declare our faith in Christ. See 1 John 4:15 NKJV H.A. Ironside, once wrote, “To the lover of the Lord Jesus Christ there can be nothing legal about baptism. It is simply the glad expression of a grateful heart recognizing its identity with Christ in death, burial, and resurrection. Many of us look back to the moment when we were thus baptized as one of the most precious experiences we have ever known.”1 Baptism is an important declaration, through it we are publicly identifying with Christ. Though baptism is not required for salvation, it should be encouraged that all believers take this step of obedience and public proclamation of their faith in Christ.
- H. A. Ironside, quoted in “Baptism Quotes,” Wise Sayings, accessed January 12, 2026, https://www.wisesayings.com/baptism-quotes/.