truth on baptism

The baptism of John was an immersion in water¹²³⁴ to forgive individuals turned from (e.g. “repentance”²) and confessed their sin². It was an obedient, contrite act whereby the individual publicly declared God’s just nature³. Jesus, the Son submitted to the baptism of John the Baptist⁴ (another marker of the fact that Jesus lived under the old covenant).

The baptism of John was also a deliberate/designed precursor¹³⁵⁹ to the baptism of Jesus¹¹¹². Both baptisms shared the qualities of immersion in water, repentance, confession, and forgiveness of sin. They also shared the fact that Jesus personally never baptized anyone into either⁶. However, the baptism of John is different from the baptism of Jesus¹¹¹² because:

1. The covenants changed – the baptism of John was associated with the old covenant, and the baptism of Jesus was initiated under the new covenant.^789101112
2. Jesus was greater than John.¹⁵⁹¹¹
3. The baptism of Jesus included the promise/gift of the Holy Spirit.^78101112

Baptism is for, not because of, the forgiveness of sins¹. This is consistent with the purpose of John’s baptism³ that prepared the way. Jesus’ blood fulfills the requirement¹⁰ and is the cleansing agent²⁵⁷⁸⁹ of sin. It is only through “death” (e.g. baptism) that an individual contacts His blood⁶⁷. It’s just as Paul asked rhetorically, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”⁶ and why Peter directly linked baptism to what saves us⁴.

The purpose for baptism is profound and so much more than simply a symbolic act^123456781114. John the Baptist prepared the way with “a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins”⁹. Peter says the same thing on the day of Pentecost – baptism (in connection with repentance) was the remedy for removing/forgiving sins¹ – saving us³.

Paul makes the same direct connections to forgiveness of sins²⁵ and salvation⁴¹². He further makes a connection to being “buried with Christ”²; and to the Galatians he connects baptism to what put them “into Christ” – effectively putting on Christ⁷ and being added to His church (universal)¹¹. He further links the “washing” to the promise¹⁷ and sanctification of the Holy Spirit¹²¹⁴. All of this correlates with Paul’s account of his own “faith journey”¹³.

Salvation is a process beginning with God’s grace¹ to all. However, it is only received by those who believe/accept Jesus Christ¹² and live Godly lives¹². Scripture is consistent on the critical role of baptism^46789101215 — even before the New Covenant system¹⁴. Salvation’s requirement for baptism is stated emphatically³⁶¹³¹⁴ and demonstrated over and over by new converts⁴⁵⁹ (Saul is another great case study).

It is the very first “work” of obedience⁴⁶⁹¹² and when someone is added to His church⁶⁸¹². It is the moment we are cleansed and forgiven of sin and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit⁶⁷⁸ through which we have fellowship with each other¹⁴, which is exactly how Jesus appears to be defining being “born again” to Nicodemus¹¹.