The scriptures are our guide, and through them we can learn to follow in the footsteps of Jesus....Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not will be condemned. Mark 16:15,16
Now look at the words spoken in verse 16 :
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. Mark 16:16
It is not enough to believe the gospel. One must live it.
Not everyone who saith unto Me, 'Lord, Lord', shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name, cast out demons in Your name, and in Thy name done many wonders?' And then I will profess unto them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, ye that work iniquity!' Matthew 7:21-23
Those referred to in the above passage is a class who professes faith in Jesus, they preach His name, they even profess to have done great works in the name of Jesus, but they practice iniquity. The word iniquity that is used here is translated from the Greek "anomia", which means lawlessness or transgressing the law, and transgression of the law is the only definition of sin in the Scripture.
Whosoever commiteth sin transgresseth also the law, for sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4
Obedience is the fruit of a relationship with God. Understanding the character of God, His love and care for all His creation is vital if we wish to understand the demands of the law. Those who enter into the new covenant relationship with God will wish to keep the law because they understand the principle of love embodied in the law. It is not enough to to have a theoretical knowledge of the law or to keep it because we know it is right (this is legalism). The law must be kept from the heart, it must become part of the character, only then will we be able to reflect the love of Christ to a world in need. The believer must be brought into harmony with God's law.
...for not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Romans 2:13
If we now re-examine the words of Mark 16:16, then the full significance of the word "baptized" becomes clear. Baptism is the symbol of the changed life. It is the symbol of rebirth, a demonstration of the death of the old man of sin and the resurrection of the transformed man - the man that lives in harmony with the law of God. Baptism is the symbol of restoration - the transformation of man from one who lives in enmity with God to one who lives in harmony with the will of God.
And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
Before being touched by the grace of God and the workings of His Spirit, it is impossible to obey God and keep His requirements. There may be a theoretical keeping of the law, but without Christ this translates into a form of godliness.
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then, they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8: 7,8
It is the spirit of God that enables us to live in harmony with the will of God. In John chapter 3, Jesus discusses the nature of the spiritual rebirth with Nicodemus, and in verse 5 He states:
...Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. John 3:5 NKJV
The spirit works inwardly to transform our bent characters into characters that will reflect the character of Jesus. The water is the outward symbol of one's willingness to accept the transformation process, and this willingness is demonstrated in baptism.
Obedience to God comes as a gift from God. Both justification and sanctification are gifts which we receive through faith in the Son of God.
... not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5 NIV
Being washed means being justified before God because of the merits of Jesus Christ. The text however, continues by saying:
... and renewal by the Holy Spirit
This is sanctification. Acceptance of justification and sanctification is a package deal. One cannot accept one without the other. Refusal to accept sanctification is a demonstration of false justification.
Wherefore by their fruits, ye shall know them. Matthew 7:20
Baptism is the outward sign of the acceptance of the covenant relationship with God, the new covenant that God promised to spiritual Israel.