Let us look to the words of John the Baptist which plainly said:
Mar_1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
This verse is plain and clear, there are two different baptisms. There is water baptism that we should do if we are able to do so, to fulfill Righteousness. There is Holy Ghost Baptism that a persons heart is changed forever. One is required for Salvation, the other is not.
There is only one baptism that is Required for one to be Saved, and that is a Holy Ghost baptism, the moment your life changed because you believed in Jesus, and all your sins were washed away, a New Heart was given to you.
Water Baptism is not Required for Salvation but is something that we should all do if we are able to do so
Giving to the poor is something that we should all do if we are able to do so
Visiting the sick is something that we should all do if we are able to do so
Feeding the hungry is something that we should all do if we are able to do so
Clothing the naked is something that we should all do if we are able to do so
Helping those in need is something that we should all do if we are able to do so
All these things are things we should do, but are NOT Required for Salvation. ONLY ONE Baptism is required for Salvation that that is the Holy Ghost Baptism that Jesus does for us.
Mar_1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Which baptism do you think this verse is referring to: Water Baptism or Holy Ghost Baptism. Which ever one you pick, the other you think is less important.
Holy Ghost Baptism = Required for Salvation
Water Baptism = Not Required for Salvation but is something we should do if we are able to do it.
^i^
††† In His Holy and Precious Name, Jesus Christ †††
DiscipleDave
I would like to share a different view:
Is baptism a work? Of course, but it is a work of faith (1 Thess. 1: 3) not righteousness in that faith is required before we are baptized (Acts 8: 36-38)
Is it required for salvation? Of course, we must be born of both water and the Spirit to enter the Kingdom. (John 3: 5)
Baptism in water is a commandment of our lord, baptism in the Holy Spirit is a promise to those who obey His commandment. (Acts 2: 38, 39) How many baptisms lead directly to our salvation? There is one baptism but two elements Just as there is one spiritual birth (John 3: 5) but two elements, water and the Spirit. (Eph. 4: 5)
Why do we need both elements? They contribute different blessings: water is about death and dying with our lord, becoming a disciple and a child of God, repentance and being freed from sin; the baptism in the Spirit is about life and renewal, receiving a new heart and spirit, it is God's seal that we are children of God, it is His pledge that he will resurrect our mortal bodies; it is about the fruit of the Spirit.
Does baptism wash away sin? Yes, when we obey the commandments to repent and be baptized, we are sprinkled with the blood of Jesus. (1 Peter 1: 1, 2) As our bodies are washed with pure water our heart are sprinkled with the blood of Christ. (Heb. 10; 22; 9: 14)
Does baptism save us? Yes, we are saved by the washing of regeneration (Titus 3: 5); "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16: 16); "baptism now saves you" (1 Peter 3: 21)
Abraham was justified by works of faith, not faith alone. (james 2: 22-24)
We are saved by grace through faith which works in love with works of faith to perfect our faith. (Eph. 2: 8, 9; Gal. 5: 6; James 2: 20-24)
God bless.