"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16) "As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, 'Look here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?' Philip said, 'If you believe with all your heart, you may.' The eunuch said, 'I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." (Acts 8:36,37). In these passages we see that baptism is essential to salvation and belief is necessary for baptism. One will also note that in the account of the Ethiopian eunuch, he first heard the gospel message.
Acts 2:38 "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
Acts 17:30 "In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent.
2 Peter 3:9b "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Paul tells us in the letter to the Romans: "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." (Romans 10:9-10) As one examines scripture it is seen that hearing the word is essential, believing the word is essential, repenting of one's sin is essential, and the confession of Jesus Christ as the Son of God are essential, for eternal salvation. Let us continue to examine the entirety of New Testament writings to determine the rest of God's plan of salvation.
1 Peter 3:21 "...and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt but the response of a good conscience towards God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
Acts 22:16 "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name."
Romans 6:3-5 (Baptism By Immersion) "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
In conclusion, we see that one must examine all of scripture to determine God's plan of salvation. There are decisions to make and actions one must take. Therefore, one must be of an age to comprehend these things. Those who are not yet old enough to do so do not stand condemned before God. This is so beautifully stated in Matthew 18:3 by Jesus himself: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." When one accepts God's gift of salvation they take on the innocence of a child!