While watching a TV show the other day, a character referred to getting baptized as "insurance" in case God is real. What was disheartening was not only the misuse of baptism but the fact that some people actually believe this.

Some churches even teach that baptism is a one-way ticket to heaven, but that's actually not the case at all because baptism doesn't save you—faith in Jesus does. The Bible teaches that after you develop faith in Jesus.

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

Acts 2:38 "And Peter said to them, '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.'"

Baptism doesn't make you a Christian. Being a believer and follower of Christ makes you a Christian. Baptism is simply the next step of believing in Christ.

So, should babies be baptized? This has been a controversy for a very long time. Denominations that believe you must be baptized to enter the kingdom of God are those that baptize infants. Alternatively, what good is the baptism should the child never decide to believe? Does that baptism become void? Biblically, not believing in Christ is the only sin that will condemn someone. Therefore, being baptized will not save you if you lose your faith.

Being baptized without your own understanding of faith is as useless as buying a wedding ring without having a spouse.

Some other denominations have child dedication services where babies and children are dedicated to the Lord, by the decision of their parents, to raise their children in the church. Mind you, this decision is a promise made by the parents to help their children to obtain faith. The difference between a child dedication and baptism is that baptism is for once faith is accepted by that individual. Again, a dedication is a promise made, by the parents, for God and their children, since toddlers and babies can't quite understand and have faith yet.

Jesus, Himself, was dedicated as a baby and then baptized as an adult.

Yes, everyone is born a sinner, and in the Catholic denomination, many believe that baptism simply "washes" that sin off, even when the person is incapable of understanding what is happening—which is obviously redundant.

This takes me back to my main point, that being baptized is not insurance or some sort of way to substitute authentic faith. The only way to cleanse yourself of sin is to believe in Jesus Christ.