BAPTISM IS MORE THAN GETTING WET IN CHURCH
BAPTISM IS MORE THAN GETTING WET IN CHURCH What is baptism? Baptism is preceded by a public confession of true faith, belief and repentance followed by immersion in water for the forgiveness of sins and a receiving of the gift of the Holy Spirit, which was offered by the Lord Jesus Christ as stated in Acts 2:38. Baptism is a New Testament commandment. It is symbolic burial in recognition of Jesus death, burial and resurrection. Through baptism sins are washed away and the new creature in Christ receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. Scripture compares baptism to Noah's ark: "In it only a few people, eight in all,were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him" (I Pet. 3:21-22). God cleansed the