Baptism does not secure salvation; it is an outward expression of inward faith

Mike argues that baptism itself does not confer or secure salvation. It is an outward expression of an inward reality — faith in Christ. What secures salvation is trusting in Christ, not the act of baptism. He rejects the idea that sin after baptism removes baptismal security. He refers questioners to 1 John 2 — "if anyone sins we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" — and emphasizes that salvation is secured by Christ's righteousness, not human righteousness.