What happens if you believe baptism is required to be saved?
If you believe baptism is required to be saved and tell God you must be baptized, God says He will have nothing to do with you; it profits you nothing. That belief cancels the work of the cross, as Scripture says.
Les explains that if a person makes baptism part of salvation—saying, "I have to be baptized in order to be saved"—then God says, "Sorry, I'll have nothing to do with you. It profits you nothing." Les admits this is strong language but insists it is what the Book is talking about. He gives the parallel example of joining a church and expecting that to be part of salvation, which immediately cancels the work of the cross. He stresses this is not his idea; it is what the Book says. He recalls an old neighbor whose pastor told him that joining the church and giving $5 a year would get him to heaven, but the man knew better. Les says the world is full of such crazy ideas that reject the simplicity of the Gospel.