Who commanded baptism? God, His Son and His messengers. Would God command a human work that ought to be avoided? When God commands, obedience is not a “work” in any bad sense. For example, when Noah built an ark, was he trying to earn anything? Or was he simply obeying in faith? Hebrews 11:7 shows that by building the ark Noah “became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.”
Who linked baptism with salvation? God inspired John to preach “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4). God’s Son promised, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). He inspired Peter to say,
“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit“ (Acts 2:38).
Repentance is “for… forgiveness,” and baptism shares the same “for”—the same purpose.
Who linked baptism with faith? The New Testament contrasts two systems: salvation by faith (true and effective) and salvation by earning (false and fatal). The New Testament consistently links baptism with faith. That is God’s choice, not man’s.
Who accepted baptism? All who repented and confessed their sins (Luke 3:21; 7:29; Matthew 3:5-6; 21:31-32). They came to baptism, not because they were good, but to admit their need for forgiveness.
Who rejected baptism? Jewish leaders who thought too highly of themselves. They justified themselves by their works and traditions (Luke 7:30; 18:9; Matthew 3:7-10). They wanted to reach God their own way (Romans 9:32; 10:3).
When Jesus emphasized the necessity of baptism, Satan began to attack it, beginning with the Pharisees. Over the centuries, various religions have changed its purpose, its form and those who receive it. Some make it a ritual in their system of works. Others rightfully reject that, but then go further to reject even biblical baptism with its God-given purpose. They call it a human work. The irony is that the Bible’s baptism is passive: “be baptized.” Others do the baptizing, while the believer simply submits and receives—fitting the nature of grace perfectly!
Actually, the effective worker in biblical baptism is Christ. See what you think from Paul’s wording:
In [Christ] also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised Him from the dead (Colossians 2:11-12).
Here is an operation beyond the ability of human hands. In this spiritual “circumcision” Jesus cuts away the believer’s sinful self. The same sentence continues by showing where this operation takes place. “In baptism” the believer is buried with Christ. He rises with Christ through his faith in God’s power (literally, God’s operation, God’s working). This is salvation by faith! And Scripture reveals where faith meets the Good News Event. In baptism the believer rises by faith to share eternal life with Christ. Since faith in God’s working is the essential means, what about adults or infants having no faith? They may contact water, but the means for raising them is missing.