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Tennessee is a beautiful state. Mountains, flowers, lakes, and a rich history. It’s a great place to visit and it’s a picturesque place to get married.

Jake and Katie chose to get married in the mountains. Well…sort of.

Legally, Jake and Katie were already married. They had already made their trip to the local courthouse, signed the paperwork, and by all accounts, were husband and wife. Their marriage was legitimate in all 50 United States.

But something was missing. And that’s why they planned a wedding.

It was a beautiful wedding in an old, historic chapel in one of Tennessee’s downtown cities. Katie looked beautiful in her white dress. Jake looked touched and excited as his bride made her way down the aisle. Family and friends were there to share in that memorable day.

That day will live with them. It will live with them in their memories because it was that day that declared to the world: we are one.

As a Christian, it is important to understand that baptism does not save you. Baptism cannot rescue you from your sins.

There are some who believe that. They believe that baptism saves you from your sins and from eternal separation from God. They believe that because of verses like

“and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” - 1 Peter 3:21

A casual glance at a passage like this could lead anyone to believe that water baptism is crucial to experiencing Christ’s salvation.

But careful examination is important. Notice that the Apostle Peter says that it is not the

“removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.”

Peter used important words in this verse. He said that true salvation isn’t found in the baptism waters, but it is found when a person “pledges” toward God.

The word pledge in this verse means “enquiry.” It means that you are asking God to cleanse you and purify your soul as a human.

True salvation is not found in being dunked under water. Salvation is found when a person calls out to God to save them and wash them of their sins.

You are asking God to do a supernatural work in your life, to rescue you.

That’s why Paul wrote:

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.” - Ephesians 2:8

If baptism was how a person is saved, then Paul’s verse would mean that you’re saved by grace 99%, and 1% by baptism. But that’s not what he says. He said no works save you…including baptism.

You’re saved by your faith in Jesus. You are in relationship with God because you trust Him. You believe that He was born of a virgin Mary. That He lived as fully-God and fully-man. You believe that He lived on earth for 33 years and died on the cross. But you also believe that He rose three days after his burial in the ground.

And He did all that because of His love for you.

For those who cry out to God and believe in Him, He saves them.

So, what’s the deal with water baptism?

Water baptism is the moment when you let the world know what happened behind the scenes.

Like Jake and Katie who were married legally, you are technically already rescued by Jesus. You are saved. Your sins have already been forgiven by God.

But water baptism is the wedding ceremony. It’s the moment when you let your family, friends, and anyone else in your life know that you are in relationship with God.

Some may not approve of your decision to believe in God. Some may not support your decision. Some may not even show up when you are baptized.

But that doesn’t matter now. You’ve entered into a relationship with God. Baptism lets the world know that you and God are one.

Scripture References: 1 Peter 3:21, Ephesians 2:8