"If we suppose that we are children of God, and carry along our own dispositions—we are not humble, we are not meek and lowly, we are not representatives of Jesus Christ in character—why then we shall find our baptism will not save any of us."
Is baptism an automatic ticket to heaven?
No!
As explained elsewhere in this section, baptism is a key entry point into membership in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Everyone that joins has been baptized by immersion somewhere. If a person has been baptized by immersion in a different denomination, that individual can join by what is called "Profession of Faith." Though baptism was enjoined by Christ, and is exceedingly important, it is not an automatic ticket to heaven, as taught in the verses and article excerpt that follow.
Matthew 3:7-10 "But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."
Matthew 3:11-12 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
Understand this, a profession is not enough. Let every one understand it is the possession of the Holy Spirit of God that we receive, that we retain through obedience, that numbers us and owns us in the heavenly courts as children of God. {Ms115-1909.5}
“And now also the ax is laid unto the roots of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.” [Verse 10.] {Ms115-1909.6}
Now, a false profession is not worth anything. Unless the life of Christ is brought into the soul, unless the heart is brought into the state of humility that will make us to be obedient to the words of Christ, teachable to His word and practice, why then, baptism does not amount to anything. We are to live our baptism. We are to show that we have unity with Jesus Christ and that we have identified our interest with Christ through baptism, to live a new life under God. {Ms115-1909.7}
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier that I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” [Verses 11, 12.] {Ms115-1909.8}
Now we have the two lives presented, a supposition life and we have the true life, and if we suppose that we are children of God, and carry along our own dispositions—we are not humble, we are not meek and lowly, we are not representatives of Jesus Christ in character—why then we shall find our baptism will not save any of us. Do we live out the faith that we claim when we are led down into the water and receive baptism, and are brought up out of the water? Why, then we are to walk in newness of life. That is the representation that is to be given to the world. {Ms115-1909.9}
“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” [Verse 11.] {Ms115-1909.10}
Well, now we want such a baptism as that to be honored every day of our lives. We cannot afford to be loose and careless and worldly minded, after we have received such a baptism as is here represented. {Ms115-1909.11}