What is the purpose of baptism?

The purpose for baptism is profound and so much more than simply a symbolic act^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,11,14}. 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 sins^2,5 and salvation^4,12. 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 promise^1,7 and sactification of the Holy Spirit¹⁴. All of this correlates with Paul’s account of his own “faith journey”¹³.

Do you want to put on Christ⁷? (And would we really consider someone saved without putting on Christ?) Or, put the way Paul states it in Romans² and Colossians⁶, do you want to be “buried” and “raised” with Christ? Baptism is the only thing that does these things, allowing us to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit¹, “walk in newness of life”², and inherit the kingdom of God¹². When put in these terms, wouldn’t you agree the purpose of baptism is essential for salvation? BTW, these connections explain perfectly the immediacy of being baptized after hearing the word preached^4,5. We even see immediacy when there’s every reason in the world to wait¹⁰. Just as Paul was told, “And now why do you wait?”⁵.