Water Baptism and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
What Does “He Who Believes and Is Baptized Will Be Saved” Really Teach?
The phrase appears in Mark 16:16 — “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
This verse is often used to support the idea that salvation requires water baptism. But a closer look at Scripture and the original Greek meaning tells a different story.
Understanding Water Baptism
Scripture describes two distinct baptisms: water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Let’s look first at water baptism.
The Greek word translated as “baptize” is G907, meaning to make whelmed (fully wet). It refers to ceremonial washing or immersion, particularly in the context of the Christian ordinance of baptism — “baptist, baptize, wash.”
This clearly defines water baptism as a ceremonial act of immersion in water. The term itself identifies it as a ritual, not a saving act. The early Christian church adopted this practice based on certain misunderstood passages:
Luke 7:29 – And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
This refers to the baptism John performed in the Jordan River, near Bethany and surrounding areas.
John 4:1–2 – When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees heard that Jesus made and immersed more disciples than John, (though indeed Jesus himself did not immerse, but his disciples).
These verses reveal that while John’s baptism was physical, Christ’s true work was spiritual — pointing to the baptism of the Holy Spirit rather than water
The Role of Water Baptism in Scripture
Water baptism served a purpose in biblical history, but it was never a requirement for salvation. At first glance, it may appear legitimate because Jesus Himself was baptized by John — yet that act carried symbolic meaning, not saving power.The book of Acts sheds light on this through the story of Apollos, an Israelite from Alexandria, Egypt, who came to Ephesus after Jesus’ ascension:
Acts 18:25 – He was learned in the Way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching the things that are of Jesus, but knowing only the baptism of John.
Acts 19:3 – Yet truly, he said, “Then with what have you been baptized?” And they said, “With the baptism of John.”
Apollos had only experienced John’s baptism. The Apostle Paul later clarified the true purpose of that practice:
Acts 19:4 – Then Paul said: “John baptized the people with the baptism of repentance, saying that they should believe in the One who is to come after him, that is, in Jesus.”
The True Meaning Behind Water Baptism
Paul’s words reveal the intent behind John’s baptism. It was a call to repentance, preparing Israel to recognize and believe in Christ, the promised Savior. Therefore, the purpose of water baptism was to turn the hearts of Israel toward Christ and their need for redemption. It was a symbolic act of repentance, not a means of salvation.
Christ’s Mission to His People
Paul continued teaching about Jesus and His relationship to Israel, the nation for whom He came and died:
Acts 13:23 – God from the seed of this one, according to the promise, raised up deliverance to Israel — a deliverer, Jesus.
Acts 13:24 – Which John having publicly proclaimed before the presence of his entrance, an immersion for repentance to all the people of Israel.
Mark 1:4 – John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
These passages make it clear: salvation was first offered to Israel, in fulfillment of God’s covenant promises. The baptism preached by John was directed specifically toward the people of Israel as a sign of repentance and preparation for their Messiah. Gentile Christians adopted these same verses and developed water baptism into a ritual of salvation. This adaptation became a defining practice within Christianity, even though the original context referred to Israel’s repentance, not the Gentiles’ path to salvation. Today, all but a few denominations still treat water baptism as essential for salvation.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit for Israel
The True Meaning Behind “He That Believeth and Is Baptized Shall Be Saved”
Mark 16:16 – “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
This verse is often quoted to defend water baptism, yet in truth it points to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus mentions both salvation and damnation, He is referring to the spiritual covenant God made with Israel — a promise of mercy to those who love and obey Him.
Deuteronomy 7:9–10 – And you shall know that the LORD your God — this one is God, the trustworthy God, the one guarding the covenant and mercy to the ones loving him, and to the ones guarding his commandments into a thousand generations; and repaying to the ones detesting his face, to utterly destroy them. And he shall not be slow to the ones detesting; by person he shall render what is due to them.
Israel’s Call to Spiritual Renewal
Baptism of the Holy Spirit was the covenant made with Israel — the descendants scattered among the nations. You were never given a man-made religion to follow; your forefathers entered directly into a covenant with God Himself. Therefore, it is time to come out of the churches and return to that original covenant relationship. The baptism spoken of here is not of water but of the Spirit — the baptism of mercy and truth.
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
John the Baptist declared this distinction between water baptism and that of the Holy Spirit in Mark 1:8 – I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
This is the baptism Israel should desire — the baptism of the Holy Spirit, freely given by God. It is not earned through ritual or effort but received through faith in the covenant He made with our forefathers.
Water Baptism Does'nt Guarantee Salvation-The Case of Simon the Sorcerer
The story of Simon the Sorcerer shows clearly that being baptized in water does not ensure salvation — in fact, it can even work against true spiritual transformation.
In Acts 8:9–25, we meet an Israelite named Simon, who practiced sorcery and amazed the people of Samaria. They believed he possessed divine power and regarded him as someone great. When Philip preached the gospel, many in Samaria — including Simon — believed and were baptized. Simon followed Philip, watching the miracles and signs being performed. Yet something vital was missing: the presence of the Holy Spirit.
When the apostles Peter and John came to Samaria, they prayed for the baptized believers so that they might receive the Holy Ghost. After laying their hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon the people. Seeing this, Simon offered them money to gain the same power — to lay hands on others so they too could receive the Holy Spirit.
This is Simon’s Example of Belief Without Conversion. Though Simon believed and was baptized, his heart was still bound by sin and ambition. He sought power, not repentance or spiritual renewal. His example stands as a warning that water baptism alone does not save. True salvation comes only through the baptism of the Holy Spirit — a transformation of the heart, not merely a ritual act.
The Churched Negroes Still Follow Simon’s Example today
Emotional Decisions Are Not Salvation. Today, many people repeat Simon’s mistake. They respond to altar calls, chase signs and wonders, and make emotional decisions — but emotion alone is not salvation. It is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Simon remained unsaved because he rejected the salvation God offered. His story reminds us that water baptism does not save. Simon believed and was baptized, yet his belief and baptism were his own actions — not the work of God within him.
The Holy Spirit Is the True Seal of Salvation
Receiving the Holy Spirit is like receiving a down payment of salvation — the promise of eternal life made real by Jesus Christ. Only He can make that down payment until full salvation is realized in the Kingdom of God, when the faithful are finally rescued from death.
This truth is another reason Israel must turn away from man-made Christianity. Religion built by men leads only to confusion and death. True deliverance comes through the covenant of mercy God made with Israel.
Acts 5:31 – This one — God, chief and deliverer, exalted by his right hand, to give repentance to Israel and release of sins.
Christ Paid the Price in Full
Jesus has already paid the price for sin. The Holy Spirit is His seal upon those who truly believe, not through ritual, but through repentance and covenant faithfulness.