Does baptism guarantee salvation?

Welcome to Midway Church of Christ

What’s Your Question? for July 7, 2010

Salvation is used in three ways. (1) A believer is baptized to wash away his sins, thus has salvation from past sins (Acts 22:16). Some evidently think that this continues to forgive sins in the future, but not so. (2) Corinthians, who had been baptized, were told Godly sorrow works repentance unto salvation (2 Cor. 7:10). John said we must confess our sins and pray for forgiveness (1 Jn. 1:7-9). (3) Peter said we are kept by faith for a salvation to be received in the last day (1 Pet. 1:3-5). He who believes and is baptized will be saved - from past sins (Mk. 16:16), but that does not guarantee present and future salvation. We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12). Too many have the misconception that their past salvation guarantees present and future salvation.