God created Adam, the first man “in His own image.” Adam was created sinless. God also gave Adam dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26). Through these two combined thoughts, the Bible demonstrates that Adam, and through him, his descendants, were intended to have an everlasting life upon the earth. Due to disobedience to God’s commandment, Adam lost this right to a perfect, everlasting life on the earth and instead incurred a penalty of death (Genesis 3:17-19). This penalty was also passed down through Adam’s descendants and is the reason people still die today. 

Centuries later, Jesus willingly sacrificed his perfect human life as a corresponding price for Adam’s sin. 1 Timothy 2:6 refers to Jesus’ sacrifice as a “ransom” price. Acts 3:20-21 further describes Jesus’ sacrifice as enabling “the restitution of all things.” Restitution means a restoration of something that was lost, usually to a better state. The majority of mankind, in the future fullness of God’s plan, will be restored to the perfect, everlasting life on earth lost due to Adam’s sin. This is sometimes referred to as “the earthly salvation.” This future, perfect existence will be wonderful and joyous beyond imagination but carries no concept of a spiritual existence such as “going to heaven.”

However, since Jesus’ death, God has been calling a small subset of mankind to follow Jesus’ example of servitude and obedience to God. The dedication, or consecration, of one’s life to God requires one to put God first in all things. This requires one to sacrifice many of the goals of the present world that would conflict with serving God or detract from one’s life of dedication. Not many of mankind will either understand or recognize this calling or how to respond to it in a manner acceptable to God, leading Jesus to refer to this group as a “little flock” (Luke 12:32, Matthew 22:14). 

Although responding to this “higher calling” (Philippians 3:14) requires a great deal of work and sacrifice, it also offers a higher reward than the general, earthly restitution promised to the majority of mankind. If judged worthy of their vows of consecration, the “little flock” will receive the higher reward of a spiritual or heavenly existence; an elevation to the same plane of existence as the glorified Jesus (1 John 3:2). This second type of salvation is sometimes referred to as “the heavenly salvation” and is rewarded to the faithful after death (Revelation 2:10).

In order to be eligible for this heavenly reward, after being drawn and “called” by God, one must truly consecrate one’s mind and heart to Him. This is a solemn promise between the individual and God. An outward symbol of this consecration is baptism. Thus, baptism alone is not sufficient to allow one to “go to heaven.” God will judge this group on their faithful execution of those vows of consecration during the course of their entire lives, not by the one act of baptism.

This invitation to a heavenly salvation is only possible because of Jesus’ sacrifice. Thus, it is more appropriate to consider “baptism into Christ” as the means to a heavenly salvation than “baptism by the holy spirit” (Galatians 3:26-27, Acts 4:10-12). The holy spirit (the power and influence of God) is provided to those who consecrate their lives to God as a helper (John 14:26). God’s power assists those earnestly seeking to please God in understanding His will and shaping their thoughts and hearts to the image of Jesus.

Whether one considers the everlasting joy of a perfect human existence upon a restored and perfect earth, or whether one considers the higher joy of a heavenly existence together with the glorified Jesus, God’s love for mankind provides every heart with abundant reason for praise, worship and obedience.

Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1306: “Are Christians Really Baptized Into Christ?”
Comparing several biblical baptisms with baptism into Christ
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CQ Rewind Show Notes