By Matthew Monfore on April 14, 2021 photo by Mike Snow of mikesnow.org
Baptism is a litmus test for True Believers who live long enough
To not get baptized after you believe, is disobedience, and proof that you are not a Christian- granted you live long enough to be baptized (the thief on the cross wasn’t baptized, but was in heaven- Luke 23:43), and that you are informed enough. People who die believing, but are unable to be baptized, are still saved if they are unable to be baptized due to location or resources- (I guess you could at least poor water on them if that is all you got. [though, full-body immersion is the Biblical command].
Nowhere in the Bible does it teach infant baptism. There must be belief and understanding. Infants have neither. Though that does not mean that they are necessarily lost (of note, see 2 Samuel 12:23 where David says that he will go to his deceased child; and in Luke 1:15, the Holy Spirit fills John the Baptist from his mother’s womb)
Now, baptism does not save, but the obedience to Christ’s command to baptize (and thus, be baptized) is evidence of your saving faith.
Jesus
Jesus commands the disciples in Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (bold mine, and throughout).
Peter
Peter commanded people to be baptized on Pentecost: “Peter said unto them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).
Philip
Philip baptized the Ethiopian Eunuch after he believed: “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, ‘See, here is water; what does hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may’ ” (Acts 8:36, 37).
Cornelius
Cornelius and gentile believers were baptized after they received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10).
Common Un-Biblical teachings
The Bible, contrary to Roman Catholic teaching, does not teach that baptism washes away original sin; nor does the Bible teach the Lutheran belief that it works salvation. Also, The Bible does not teach baptismal regeneration (the Church of Christ teaching) that baptism is a saving act.
More Information
John MacArthur sermon, “Understanding Baptism” January 29th, 1989:
gty.org/library/sermons-library/80-57/Understanding-Baptism
John Piper, ‘Ask Pastor John’ series, Episode 1588, “Why is Baptism Important?” February 15, 2021
desiringgod.org/search/results?utf8=✓&q=baptism#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=baptism&gsc.page=1