Hi Hoshiyya,
I think BlueLion answered your question very well, and I would like to share some Bible verses that will support our position.
Why do the WORK of baptism?
We first read of baptism in Matthew 3:5-17, Mark 1:4-11, Luke 3:3, 21-22, and John 1:24-34. In each of these passages, John the Baptist came preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4) and this baptism was marked by the people confessing their sins (v5). The question is, why did these people confess their sins, repent, and get baptized by John? It is because they believed in the message he was preaching: After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. I baptize you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit (v7-8).
There are three terms that are important to understand in this passage: belief, confession, and repentance. The New Testament meaning of belief is to be persuaded of and place ones confidence in a particular thing or person: in the Bible, that person is Jesus Christ. When people realize and confess that their way of living is not the same as Gods way, they turn away from their way and turn to God. In other words they repent. Baptism symbolizes the death of living in ones own way, being buried, and rising again to the life that will be lived for Christ (Romans 6:3-4). It is a public confession of ones new life in Christ!
But not only is it an open confession of a new life in Christ, it is also an opportunity to begin the new life in obedience to Jesus. Jesus commanded that we be baptized after we are saved (Matthew 28:19). Why is that? I believe the answer, at least in part, is that baptism identifies us with Christ. As stated above, we identify with Christs death, burial, and resurrection. But Jesus also identifies with us in his baptism; just as he was tempted in every way as we are (Hebrews 4:15) he also suffered death as we do.
So again, baptism symbolizes the spiritual truth of what happens when we believe, identifies us with Christ, and sets us on a course of obedience.
Am I saved by this work?
Many people teach that one must be baptized in order to be saved, but this is not the case. Salvation is depend upon one thing and that is trusting (believing) in the work of Jesus Christ. Now, I want to share with you a Bible verse that some use to teach that you must be baptized in order to be saved:
Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? Peter said to them, Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:37-39, this is in response to Peters sermon on the day of Pentecost).
Some point to the fact that Peter says first, Repent
be baptized
and then you will be forgiven and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Therefore they argue that without baptism there is no forgiveness and henceforth no salvation. But this argument ignores that some things had already happened, such as they had heard the gospel of Christ preached and they were convicted (pierced to the heart) of their sin. Why were they pierced? It is because they heard the word and believed that it was true. This is supported only two verses later, So then, those who had received his word were baptized (v41). So what Peter is saying must be taken in context, as does everything in the Bible.
For the sake of space, I want to give you some references to look up and read. John 3:16-17; John 20:31; Romans 10:9-11; 1 John 3:23; 1 Timothy 1:16; James 2:23, and many more. What each of these references demonstrate is the salvation comes through believing the message of Christ. One of the greatest passages dealing with faith (belief) is Ephesians 2:8-9:
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one can boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
This passage shows that we are first of all saved through faith in Jesus Christ and not of any work, such as baptism. If we could check off a to-do list we could make a case that we have earned our salvation, but we all know we cannot. The Law of Moses taught us that is impossible, did it not? But in Christ, we are regenerated and ready to do the good works God has in store for usone of which is baptism. You see, we dont do good works for salvation, but from salvation.
Am I not saved, unless I do this work?
Again, baptism does not save us. However, I know some Christians who seemed to want a pass from baptism, maybe because of a fear of water, or maybe a fear of embarrassment. While I could give biblical responses to this (perfect love casts away all fear, or, if you deny me before men I will deny you before my Father, or, I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ), I find it necessary instead to reiterate that baptism is not necessary for salvation. However, it is necessary for obedience to Christ. As stated above, the Lord (another word for master) commanded believers to be baptized
in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
If one believes is raised to believe ones entire life, when does one take baptism?
There are a couple of passages in Acts that illustrate that the time for baptism is as soon as it is possible after a person believes (see Acts 8:36-38; and 10:44-48, 11:15-18). The first passage deals with the story of when Philip taught the Ethiopian man about the gospel and the man said, Look! Water! What prevents me from being baptized? This man didn't want anything holding him back from baptism, including time! Next, Peter had preached to Cornelius and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. He later explained to the Jerusalem Church why he baptized Cornelius, Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in Gods way? (11:17). So these passages illustrate that the time of baptism is immediately following a persons belief in the Lord Jesus Christ.
You are correct, we are not saved by works; however, without faith in Christ we are condemned by our works! The work of Christ is what saves us, we must believe that he is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). All other belief systems fall short! Therefore, we must turn away from sin and turn towards the Lord; and I believe this is your last question
What does it mean to turn from sin? The Bible does say that we are to repentthat is, turn away from sin. Think of this as if you are driving your car to a particular destination, lets say you are going from St. Louis, Missouri to New York City. You are driving along and you pass into Kansas and then into Colorado and then finally, you realize you are heading in the wrong direction! If you keep going in that direction, you will end up in California! Therefore, you have to make a U-turn in order to go to New York City. In the same way, every person is driving away from God because of sin. It doesnt matter if we are trying to reach heaven, whether believe in God or not, or whether we think about it or not, every personwithout Christis going in the wrong direction! Gods word teaches us about Christ and that he is the the way to heaven. So we turn away from our own system or self-imposed religions and follow after him. It doesn't mean we will be perfect or never sin, but it does mean we will make a conscience effort to follow after him (see 1 John 1:8-10).
I hope this has been helpful; please let me know if you have any questions!