Baptism saves, remits sins, it’s when the new birth takes place and one walks in newness of life, how then can baptism not save?????
Water baptism for remission of sins did not exist under the OT law of Moses for Christ had not shed His blood. Yet is is a requirement today under the NT where Christ’s shed blood washed away all sins.
The common denominator under both the OT and NT that saves is an obedient faith. Obedient faith to the OT law saved those under it and obedience to the NT law saves us today.
—Mark 16:16 is as genuine and valid as any other NT verse. If one questions the validity of Mark 16:16 one then must question the validity of all the NT.
—Mk 16:17 “And these signs shall follow them that believe;”
The nearest plural antecedent of “them” in verse 17 is “the eleven” of verse 14. In the context it was the 11 apostles that did not believe, Jesus upbraided them for their unbelief, v14. So of them (apostles) that believe would have these signs following. Paul called these signs “signs of an Apostle” in 2 Cor 12:12.
Furthermore, the pronouns ‘they’ and ‘them’ in verses 19 and 20 clearly show all the plural pronouns refer back to the apostles, not to any and everyone that believe.
Even in the first century when these signs existed not all believers/Christians possessed all the signs mentioned in verses 17 and 18, some Christians had no signs at all, 1 Cor 12:29,30. In writing to the Christians at Corinth Paul wrote: “All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they?”
Then WHY was John the 'baptist' doing it?
And why did Jesus want be baptized?
Then Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan coming to John, to be baptized by him. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I have need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” But Jesus answering said to him, “Permit it at this time; for in this way it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he permitted Him.
(NASB) Matthew 3:13-15