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Mark 16:15-18, “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.””
Baptism signifies that you have died with Christ and are risen with Him; you are dead to sin. Baptism is a statement before people that you have repented.
We read in the Bible that people were baptised immediately upon repentance, but today we first wait that a person show forth fruit of repentance. We are living in an evil generation, where a person's word counts for nothing. Many people go through a crises, or a near death experience and make a vow to God. However, when they get better and the crises is lifted they return to their old ways and do not keep their promise.
Note that baptism does not save you. Our text says that he who does not believe will be condemned (not he who is not baptised). The thief on the cross was not baptised, but believed in the Lord Jesus and was saved. However, if you are baptised and do not live a life of repentance your hell will be double. Baptism is a holy sacrament, and woe to you if you treat it lightly and enter it defiled.
We also read in our text of the signs that will follow those that believe. In reading these words we must divide the Word of God rightly. This Word does not mean that we can tempt God by looking for poison to drink or snakes to bite us. But if it should happen accidently, it will not hurt us, as was the case with Paul in Acts 28. Paul also wrote to Timothy not to be quick in laying hands on anybody and not to share in other people's sins (1Tim 5:22). Rather let the sick person come to Christ, confess and repent of their sins and then the laying on of hands will bear good fruit.
A believer in Jesus Christ also speaks with a new heavenly tongue. Perverseness doesn't come out of his mouth anymore.
Test yourself today whether you live a life in agreement with your baptism; a life of victory over sin.
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