John 3:5  Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

Jesus took a basin, filled it with water, and began washing His disciples' feet. Peter resisted. "That's not for You to do, is it?" Why did Peter give in to Jesus? Jesus had told him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with Me" (John 13:8). At that, Peter wanted a full-blown bath.

Jesus' words in Mark 16 seem less restrictive. Baptized believers will be saved. Unbelievers, not unbaptized, will be condemned. If there is a loophole, it's for the sake of those who have not had the opportunity to receive Baptism in this life. They are not necessarily outside of God's grace in Christ. For everyone else, though, there is no other way to enter the kingdom of God Z(John 3:5). Like Peter, we must join Jesus at the font, where He promises to give us a share with Him (Romans 6:4-5).

Why does Jesus pinpoint Baptism as His saving washing? Above all, He does this for our benefits, that we would know, without a doubt, that when He washes us, He saves us (1 Peter 3:21). He gives what He promises. When we doubt this bath, we, like Peter, resist Jesus and His promised salvation.

Your baptismal certificate states the facts. Witnesses can attest to them. Maybe pictures prove them. There was a moment when Jesus washed you and gave you a share with Him. Faith holds on to Jesus' promises. You have been and will be saved. His promise is most certainly true.