What is the difference between salvation and baptism?

Answer 1

Jesus spoke to his disciples on the day of his resurrection:

He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that does not believe shall be damned. Mk 16,16

Salvation is a great miracle of God. In this miracle we are born anew through the Holy Spirit as sons of God and receive eternal life.

Jesus answered and said to him, Verily, verily, I say to you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Joh 3,3

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say to you, Except a man be born of

water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Joh 3,5

The word 'Salvation' is based on the purpose of why Jesus was sent to this earth, that he might save those who believe on him from their sins.

And she shall bear a son, and you shall call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matt 1,21

Nothing unclean, no sinner, will enter heaven.

And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defiles, neither whatsoever works abomination, or makes a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's

book of life. Rev 21,27

As we preach the gospel, this miracle happens to those who receive our words and are baptized.

Then Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit... Then they that gladly

received his word were baptized Act 2,38,41

The unfathomable power released through the death and resurrection of Jesus raises us up together with Jesus, that we no longer are sinners, but saints.

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life... Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Rom 6,4-7

Salvation is the miracle by which a sinner is freed from his sins and transformed as he is united in the death and resurrection of Jesus in baptism. Salvation is dependant on the preaching of the gospel, the believing of those who receive it, their sincere repentance and acceptance of Jesus as their Lord. The Holy Spirit does a great miracle in the lives who sincerly are baptized, and in their baptism they receive all this, based on the forgiveness of their sins.

Provided baptism happens as Jesus commanded (not on babies, not for any other motive than to become disciples of Jesus, and with full immersion) God performs this great miracle on those who respond in this way to the gospel message.

They that believe AND are baptized shall be saved.

Baptism alone, without the faith, repentance and the receiving of Jesus has a negative work. We become unclean in God's sight because of perverting the gospel. Baptism was never meant to be applied to those who can't believe, don't believe, are not ready or who have another motive for being baptized other than being a whole hearted follower of Jesus.

Salvation alone, without baptism, is just as impossible. For it is in baptism that the LORD does this great miracle. Just as marriage is a sacrament and those who marry become one flesh through the working of God, so it is in baptism. In this covenant we are united with Jesus and become members of his body. To refuse baptism is similar to people wishing to live with one another, but refusing to mary.

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Heb 13,4

But the man that is unclean, and does not purify himself (referring to the ritual of baptism/immersion), that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water for impurity has not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean. Num 19,20

Answer 2

Baptism is the actual ordinance, from the Greek word for submerge. A baptismal service is the entire church service with the hymns and prayers, etc.