Acts 16:33.
[Baptism.
It FOLLOWS salvation. Baptized, because SAVED]
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.