People in the denominational world want to rid water from God’s plan of salvation. Oh, they’ll say it’s important, one false teacher even said, “Baptism is not essential to salvation, but you aren’t saved if you refuse it.” That’s confusing. When you show them the simple instructions of the Master, (Mark 16:16) they still can’t see it. So, let’s take a different approach by asking, WHAT CAME FIRST, WATER OR SALVATION?
When you open your Bible, you won’t go far before you come to THE STORY OF NOAH’S ARK (Genesis 6-8). A novice could answer the question, WHAT CAME FIRST, WATER OR SALVATION?
Noah was commanded to build an ark. He moved with Godly fear and built the ark, according to the pattern (Heb 11:7). He entered the ark with his family. God closed the only door. It rained. The ark rose above the water. Everyone outside of the ark died. The ark landed on Ararat. Noah & his family were saved. He Heard God’s instructions, Believed, Obeyed, WATER.
A LITTLE FURTHER ALONG and you’ll read of the Israelites in Egyptian bondage (Exodus 1-14). Once again, a casual reading reveals a similar story. Moses heard God’s instructions. He believed. They obeyed God’s instruction. They found themselves by the red sea with Pharaoh’s army in pursuit. They walked on dry ground surrounded by WATER. They were free on the other side of the water, while Pharaoh’s army drowned.
“And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;” (1Cor 10:2)
KEEP READING and you’ll come to the story of a man named Naaman who had leprosy (2King 5:1-14). He HEARD about a cure and BELIEVED it was true, so much that he brought great wealth to pay for it. However, those weren’t the instructions. The instructions were to dip seven times in the Jordan river. He became angry and wanted a modification to the instruction. That wasn’t in the message either. So, after a little reasoning with his servant, humbly he went to the WATER in obedience. Then, and only then did he receive the cure.
IN THE NEW TESTAMENT we read of a man born blind, (John 9:1-7). This story has some amazing similarities to the others. He HEARD some instructions. BELIEVING them, he went in faithful OBEDIENCE to the pool of Siloam. WATER was the dividing line between blindness and sight.
WITH ALL THESE ACCOUNTS before us, we ask again, WHAT CAME FIRST, WATER OR SALVATION? The answer is clear…WATER. God desired water to be the dividing line between the Fully convinced believer and Salvation.
NOW, AS WE LOOK AT His command for salvation under the New Covenant, what do we find?
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16)
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
(Acts 22:16)
“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:” (1Peter 3:21)
“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.”
(Acts 8:12)
THIS IS THE PATTERN of the New Covenant. Jesus commanded baptism, the Apostles taught it and believers obeyed it prior to their salvation. The question now becomes; do you love Jesus enough to do what He says? (Luke 6:46; John 14:15) Or will you follow the pattern of the Pharisees? “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.” (Luke 7:30)
For further study there are additional scriptures on the (here).
Borger church of Christ @ Franklin & Juniper 
A lot of things came before salvation. I’ve read through some of your articles. They really speak a lot about obedience.
So are you saying throughout history that God’s people have always been obedient? If they weren’t did they lose their salvation?
Many of the verses your articles listed for salvation is absolutely right. They meant what they said to whom they were saying it to.
All of scripture was written for our good and our learning. It was not all written to us or about us.
You’ve listed verses in relation to salvation that was written to the nation of Israel. For that Nation it was always faith plus works. Would you say that Nation as a whole is living out of God’s will? Are they following Christ today?
MY REPLY.
A lot of things came before salvation. I’ve read through some of your articles. They really speak a lot about obedience.
So are you saying throughout history that God’s people have always been obedient? If they weren’t did they lose their salvation?
spencer: the record is clear, folks that are in a covenant relationship with God and stumble, but were still walking toward God, will be saved. (1John 1:7-10). Old Testament examples are Abraham, Moses, & David among others. In the New Testament we see Peter, The man in 1Cor 5, and Simon the Sorcerer, among others. Think of it in terms of direction not perfection.
However, when they turned away from following God and His commands, they have no expectation of salvation. Consider Korah, Ahab and others. In the New Testament consider Ananias & Sapphira, the Galatians if they returned to the Law of Moses, Gal 5:4. among others.
To lump the two distinctions together is to be guilty of equivocation.
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Many of the verses your articles listed for salvation is absolutely right. They meant what they said to whom they were saying it to.
All of scripture was written for our good and our learning. It was not all written to us or about us.
spencer: I generally agree with the above statement. To clarify, can you provide me a list of the scriptures you feel do not belong to us and those that do, so I might study them?
Until then, the Old Testament has been completed and is not used for doctrine. (Col 2:14; Heb 7). That being said, the Old Testament can be used to learn about how God communicates, how he dealt with sin, and how He deals with people. (Rom 15:4; 1Cor 10:1-13). It can also be used to Identify the Christ (Luke 24:27; Acts 17:11)
We are now under the New Testament Doctrine of Christ. (Col 2:14; Gal 3; Hebrews). He that does not have this doctrine does not have God. (2John 1:9)
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You’ve listed verses in relation to salvation that was written to the nation of Israel.
spencer: can you cite an example?
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For that Nation it was always faith plus works. Would you say that Nation as a whole is living out of God’s will? Are they following Christ today?
spencer: I’m unsure as to who you’re speaking about when you say “that Nation.” It seems to be referring to the modern-day Jewish nation (peoples in a religion). If so, nobody can be saved today following the Old Testament Law of Moses. (Gal 5:1-4). Since the Temple was destroyed, it’s impossible to practice that law today. Nobody knows who the Levites are today. The Jews today are still looking for a Messiah to come. Others who are believers of Christ but are keeping part of the Law of Moses for justification and practices are obligated to keep the entirety, which is impossible.