7-Day Challenge: Challenge Everything

Day 2: Does Baptism Save You?

Scripture:
Acts 8:36-37 – As they went along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, “Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And 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.”
1 Corinthians 1:17 – For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.
Romans 10:9 – If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Thought:
Baptism is a significant part of the Christian walk, but it’s important to understand that baptism alone does not save. Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone.

• In Acts 8:36-37, we see the Ethiopian eunuch asking to be baptized after he confessed his belief in Jesus as the Son of God. This shows us that faith precedes baptism. Baptism was a public declaration of his faith, not the means of salvation itself.
• 1 Corinthians 1:17 helps us understand that Paul's primary mission was to preach the gospel, not to baptize. While baptism is important, it is the gospel of Jesus Christ that saves, not the act of baptism itself.
• Romans 10:9 clearly states that confession and belief in Jesus are the conditions for salvation. It’s not the water of baptism that saves, but faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is an act of obedience that follows salvation, but it is Christ alone who saves.

Challenge:
If you’ve been baptized, remember that it was your faith in Jesus that saved you, and baptism is a public expression of that faith. If you haven’t been baptized, know that Jesus saves, and baptism is a way to declare publicly what has already happened in your heart. Reflect today on your relationship with Jesus—trust in Him for salvation, not in any outward act.