WHAT IS BAPTISM?

Baptism is Symbolic

Baptism is a symbolic cleansing/purification and public display of the repentance and change that has taken place within the heart of the believer in Jesus Christ.

It is NOT the mode by which we are baptized; it is the Spirit who cleanses and seals the believer from all unrighteousness

(1 Cor. 12:13; Acts 1:5).

 

 

Acts 2:38: And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 3:11: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

1 Cor. 12:13: ...For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free-and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

1 Peter 3:21: There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ...

Col. 2:12: ...buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

Acts 1:5: ...for John truly baptized with water; but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.

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"For as long as we live we are continually doing that which baptism signifies, that is, we die and rise again. We die, not only mentally and spiritually by renouncing the sins and vanities of this world, but in very truth we begin to leave this bodily life and to lay hold on the life to come, so that there is, as they say, a 'real' and bodily passing out of this world unto the Father" (Luther, Baptism and Faith, Hodgson and King p. 277-278).