There are two extremes taken by people in the matter of baptism, one is to reject it entirely, and the other is to magnify it beyond it’s proper significance, and make it necessary to salvation.
We are to be baptized, not to help save ourselves, but, because Christ has already saved us through our acceptance of His sacrifice on the cross. We go forward in baptism in obedience to God’s command, thus openly confessing Him before the world by this act. Our baptism will avail us nothing, unless our heart is right toward God.
Philip told the Eunuch that he could be baptized if he believed with all his heart.
AND Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart thou mayest.
Acts 8:37.
A performance of ceremonies God hates, unless there is behind them, true repentance for sin.
YOUR new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
Isaiah 1:14.
TWO men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee, stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are. . . . I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.
Luke 18:10-14.
The Pharisee was thinking to justify himself before God by his prayers, gifts and keeping of holy days but the the publican with repentance, and the believing cry of the sinner, was saved.
Let us not neglect baptism; neither think because we have been baptized that we are safe. Trust Christ alone for salvation; then be baptized.