Scripture reference: Mark 16:16 -- Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Do not take this verse out of context. Baptism will not save you. Only believing in the saving grace of Jesus Christ will do that.

Baptism -- What it is not:
We do not baptize animals. They have no need of salvation.

It is not a political action:
Most of the soldiers of the day habitually disliked Christians, so to them it seemed natural to continue Diocletian's persecutions. But one of the competing generals, Constantine, felt differently. He saw that Christianity had become so strong and so well organized that it could provide the unity the empire so desperately needed. According to the story, in 311 AD, Constantine was marching to capture Rome when at Milvian Bridge he saw a vision of the initials of Christ (the Greek letters chi and rho, X and P in our alphabet) in front of the sun, surrounded by these words: "In hoc signo vinces" (By this sign conquer). At once he marched his troops into the river, declared them baptized, and ordered them to paint those letters on their shields. When the following battle ended in victory he became a lifelong friend of Christianity. During the next 12 years he succeeded in eliminating his colleagues and for the last 13 years of his life he ruled the empire alone. Finally, on his deathbed he was baptized (337 AD).

Infants and children are not baptized, for they have not reached the “age of accountability.” Do not pressure children into adolescent and adult decisions. Young children learn by example. So “be” what you want your children to become!

Mark 10:13-16
The Little Children and Jesus:
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Baptism is not just following the teaching of a great minister.

Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”

Baptism is not an act of saving grace. It is a sign of repentance and trust in Christ for salvation.

What Baptism Is:
We believe that the baptism of believers with water is a sign of their cleansing from sin. Baptism is also a pledge before the church of their covenant with God to walk in the way of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Believers are baptized into Christ and his body by the Spirit, water, and blood.

Some final notes on Colossians.
Colossians 4:1 -- Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven.

Comment: Slaves in that day could be oppressed, abused, or function as employees. We can gain guidance for employer/employee relationships. Heartfelt Christian ethics can keep capitalism from becoming a devouring monster, eventually consuming itself. Christianity must keep free enterprise in the channel of morality. We do not have slaves today, thankfully. But we may have employees, if we own a business, or perhaps we just have people who report to us, as a supervisor. We should strive to treat them as we would want to be treated, as we are accountable to God for our actions.