Self-identification and the watershed of watered-down Baptism

God revealed to the earliest churches that people who self-identify as Christians in the household of God will come soon and distort His Word

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (see also Jude 3-4) —Acts 20:29–30

What if I prioritize loyalty to…

…the majority of self-identifying “Christians” over submission to God?

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” —Matthew 7:13–14

…to my family over submission to God?

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” —Luke 14:26

…whatever denomination or faith tradition that got to me first?

“‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” —Matthew 15:8–9

Will God submit to…

…incorrect teaching of educated, competent, influential teachers who distort and dismiss His Word?

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel across sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he becomes a proselyte, you make him twice as much a child of hell as yourselves. —Matthew 23:15

…hordes of people I find to confirm my bias and tell me what I want to hear?

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. —2 Timothy 4:3–4

…my delusional attempt to re-create Him in my image

…you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you. —Psalm 50:21b

Before humans began to adapt God’s teaching to conform to their own desires, God revealed in His inspired Word that Baptism…

…literally means “immersion” and is consistently performed in adequate amounts of actual physical water (Acts 10:47-48) which a person can go down into and rise up out of (Mark 1:9-10; John 3:23; Acts 8:38-39)

…portrays burial and resurrection that unites us with Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12)

…is a different concept from pouring or sprinkling, which obviously do not portray burial and resurrection

Then the priest shall take some of the log of oil and pour (epicheei) it into the palm of his own left hand 16 and dip (baptō) his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand and sprinkle (rhainō) some oil with his finger seven times before Yahweh.—Leviticus 14:15–16

…is never administered to children who cannot believe, repent, or understand that they are calling upon the Name of the Lord for salvation in faith

…is never presented as “an outward symbol of an inward change” as is popular in imploding Western churchianity

…in water is distinct from receiving*/baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38, 19:5–6)

…saves us as a pledge, appeal, or pledge that appeals (1 Peter 3:21)

…is the means of washing away our sins and calling on the Name of the Lord (Acts 22:16, see also Acts 2:21)

…is for the forgiveness of sins as its motive (Acts 2:38, Mark 1:4*)

…is done IMMEDIATELY once a person acknowledges their need to call on the Name of the Lord to be forgiven and saved from their sins (Acts 2:41, 16:31)

…is commanded and not optional (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 10:47–48)

What should I expect regarding my salvation if I maintain other loyalties and refuse to submit to God’s command to be baptized according to His design and purpose?

Since therefore it remains for some to enter [God’s rest], and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience —Hebrews 4:6

And being made perfect, [Jesus] became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him —Hebrews 5:9

What if I self-identify as…

… a friend of God?

You are my friends if you do what I command you. —John 15:14

… in the family of God?

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. —Matthew 12:50

… knowing God?

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” —Matthew 7:21–23

… loving God?

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. —1 John 5:3