Before answering any part of this question, I want to point out that it speaks to a highly divisive topic between denominations. You should find out what you say you believe, why you believe it, weigh the evidence of Scripture for yourself, and, whatever you do, don’t use it as a cudgel to bludgeon other people who disagree with you. You can firmly believe you have the proper Scriptural interpretation and weight of evidence and still speak, think, and act lovingly to people whose hearts are for Christ.
If you research this question, you will find a lot of scholars, theologians, and pastors of different denominations arguing for so many different versions of viewpoints it can become confusing. So, I will give you the short answer that we, as Baptists, believe. No, baptism does not save you. However, it would not do it justice to simply say no without some explanation as to why Baptists believe in what is commonly referred to as Believers’ Baptism.
This complex question involves centuries of church tradition, history, exegesis (interpreting Scripture), and some philosophical theology to understand Baptists’ beliefs. Book upon book has been written on this subject. This post could be a mile long. However, it is certainly not impossible to answer. First, note the order of Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:16-20. Jesus tells His disciples to go and make disciples, and the baptizing follows the disciple-making. We can note it says nothing directly about infants. What, infants? Yes, infant baptism and believers’ baptism represent one of the major denominational divides in Christianity because it points to what saves us and how we are saved: salvation. You will not get far in searching for understanding without running into this issue.
Believers’ baptism points to those who repent of their fallen nature and confess the faith that Jesus Christ is who He says He is.[1] Simply put, infants who cannot hear God’s Word and respond in faith can’t do this. That does not mean we believe babies don’t go to heaven, but that is an argument for a different article. It does mean that fallen humanity of the age of accountability (perhaps a topic for another time as well) requires belief in Christ to reunite with God. Believers give a personal confession before baptism, representing repentance (turning away from sin) and faith in Christ. They are stepping away from spiritual death and toward spiritual life through hearing the Word. Thomas Schreiner and Shawn Wright describe it this way, “. . . salvation is by faith in Christ alone, but as paedobaptists they give the sign of that faith (baptism) to those who have not exercised faith (infants).”[2]
Can I make this a little simpler? Yes. Baptism does not force God to bestow the Holy Spirit on anyone. God is not obligated to save anyone because they were dipped in water. Salvation is a gift that comes from repenting and receiving the Spirit, which seals the believer in Christ (Rom. 8:9, 14-17). Many of the references to baptism are found in Acts, John, and Romans (John 1:12, 3:16, 3:36, 6:27-29, 6:47; Rom. 10:9-11). They all have something in common. The relationship with Jesus always assumes faith, repentance, and confession.[3] Who does the baptism is not the essential part, according to Paul (1 Cor. 15:29).[4]
This post would be far too lengthy to parse every significant Scripture and the theology behind the arguments for infant baptism. Sure, you can argue for infant baptism and appeal to specific pieces of Scripture (1 Pet. 3:20). However, the argument for infant baptism is too inconsistent with Scripture to support the salvific weight certain denominations give it. Does this mean that baptism is not important since it does not save you? No. Baptism is often considered merely a symbol, like the rings you trade in marriage.
When this happens, the significance of the internal process of stepping from spiritual death to spiritual life through belief in Christ is stripped of its eternal, earth-shattering, salvific importance. Treating baptism as just another church event done in public mixes that life-changing act of faith with a simple act of obedience. Baptism correlates to the inner reality of a person that Christ is King and they have given their life to Him. That is no small matter. It is of eternal significance. So, while baptism is a command, it is far more than a symbol and far less than what saves you.
[1] Walter A. Elwell, Evangelical Dictionary of Theology, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic, 2001), Believers’ Baptism.
[2] Thomas R. Schreiner and Shawn D. Wright, Believer’s Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ (Nashville: B&H, 2006), 7.
[3] Ibid., 64.
[4] Martin Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009), 7907.
Bibliography
Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic, 2001.
Manser, Martin. Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser, 2009.
Schreiner, Thomas R. and Shawn D. Wright. Believer’s Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ. Nashville: B&H, 2006.