The Symbolism of Immersion Promises these Spiritual Benefits
- Acts 22:16, Hebrews 10:22 Sins washed away; bodies washed with pure water.
- Jesus was sacrificed once (Romans 5:6 – 8, 6:10, 2 Corinthians 5:14 – 15, Hebrews 7:27, 9:12, 9:26 – 28, 10:10, 1 Peter 3:18) for the sins of all people, not just for the faithful (1 John 2:2).
- From God’s point of view, the right-and-wrong system has been paid off, so no accumulation of sins has needed to be washed away since Jesus completed His sacrifice by offering His blood in the original tabernacle in heaven. If the action of baptism causes sins to be washed away, then Jesus’ offering was ineffective, and we are capable of manipulating God into accepting us.
- Rather, the washing away of sin must be from the point of view of the one being baptized, that the person is accepting the fact that Jesus already washed sins away. Many people travel through life with a burden of guilt for their bad choices. Baptism is a symbol of releasing that baggage.
- Acts 2:38, baptized into the forgiveness of sins and receiving the Holy Spirit
- The preposition has been translated in various ways for the purpose of supporting various doctrines. The literal word is “into.” Translators have made the ridiculous claim that this preposition could be represented by a half-dozen different English words, leading to the conclusion that the Scriptures are entirely unclear.
- To be immersed “into” forgiveness yields a picture that the individual is accepting that God will move the bad choices of the past out of the line of sight (forgiveness) so that a relationship may be built without hindrance, so that trust by God of that individual may be established.
- Since we are to ask for the Spirit (Luke 13:3) and endeavor to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), one must acknowledge the work of the Spirit to make it functional. The gift of the Spirit and baptism in the Spirit are the same thing.
- 1 Corinthians 6:11, Ephesians 5:26 I am declaring that I am reserved for godly purposes (sanctified). I have been declared debt-free with regard to justice (justified).
- Galatians 3:27 I am declaring that I am being transformed into the image of Jesus (put on Christ)
- Romans 6:3, 12:1 I am declaring that I become a sacrifice like Jesus.
- Romans 6:4 I am declaring that I walk in newness of life.
- Romans 6:5 I am declaring that I will be raised on Judgment Day.
- Romans 6:6 I am declaring that I am freed from slavery to sin.
- 1 Corinthians 12:13 I am declaring that I am dedicated to miraculous unity.
- Colossians 2:11 – 14 I am declaring that I am buried with Him and raised, redeemed, forgiven.
- Titus 3:5 I am declaring that I am being renewed by the Holy Spirit
- 1 Peter 3:21 The water rescued Noah from an evil world as baptism rescues me.
When I choose to be baptized, I am announcing that I will live according to these miraculous promises and am fully assured (have faith) that God will do all of these spiritual things for me.