Like circumcision, baptism is a religious rite that was designed to symbolize a spiritual
reality.
Circumcision symbolized the removal of the condemnation and domination of the flesh (sin) in the life of an
Old Testament believer.
Baptism symbolizes two spiritual realities:
The Washing Away of
Our Sin
John
Acts
Christs Death,
Burial, and Resurrection on our Behalf
Romans
6:3-4 - Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into
Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him
through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the
dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Colossians
2:12 - Having been buried with him
in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him
from the dead.
Some Jews mistakenly believed that the physical act of circumcision assured them of right standing before God. In Romans 2 Paul tells
us that it is the inward spiritual state of a man that counts before God, not an outward religious
ritual.
Romans
Likewise, some people mistakenly believe that the physical act of
baptism saves them. The Bible teaches that you are not saved through the outward physical ceremony of baptism that washes
dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a good conscience (that is, a request for the forgiveness of
sins based
on the work of Christ which baptism symbolizes).
1 Peter 3:21 (NASB) - Baptism now saves you-- not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but
an appeal to God for a
good conscience-- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
The Bible teaches that we are saved and forgiven of our sins when
we repent of our sins and believe in Christ. Notice in
each of the passages below that Jesus tells the person who has believed that
they are saved and/or forgiven of their sins. Notice that in each case the
salvation/forgiveness occurs without the person ever being baptized in water.
Mark 2:5,10-11
- When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven . . . But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on
earth to forgive sins...." He said to the paralytic, "I tell you, get
up, take your mat and go home."
Luke
Luke 23:39-43 - One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at [Jesus]:
"Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal
rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under
the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are
getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come
into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."