Why do people think baptism washes away sin?

Question

I'm getting some really good answers here,Thanks so much.
I believe that it is through the Blood of Jesus that we are saved as well.I just can't understand why anyone else would think differently.

Matt D you sound almost like a catholic. Jesus done it to set an example.John said that he was the one that needed baptized by Jesus, have you ever heard that part of the scripture? Also please bear in mind that Jesus did not need to have His sins washed away.Sorry if my comment about being catholic was offensive its just that they never use scripture and you didn't neither.

AMDG you just proved yourself official.
You are a Catholic.You said all of that without using one scripture. Congradulations!!! LOL

DougLawr: I need but one verse that isn't tristed as you have this one.It says "REPENT" and be baptized,not penance or ten hail Marys and light a candle.Note repentance is first neccessary before being baptized.How does the babies your church baptizes repent or do penance as you put it?Don't forget to use scripture.

AMDG:When you see Pope Innocent III would you tell him the Bible says: "Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God" 1 Corithians 7:19

Answer 1

Jesus said to the disciples at the last supper, "Drink of this fruit of the vine, this is my blood that is shed for many for the remission of sins.".

Later in the NT it is written that he who believes & is baptized for the remission of sins shall be saved. The thing is that the baptizm isn't what washes away our sins. The blood of the lamb of God washes away our sins. The baptizm represents Jesus blood washes away our sins. Baptism is an act of faith, but dipping in a baptism pool doesn't wash anyones sins away.

Also we are to wash in the Word of God. That is renewing our mind in the Word of God. When Jesus washes away our sins, we are born of His Spirit, cleansed by His Blood, joint heirs with Jesus, part of the family of God. Our spirit is born of God and is blended with our soul in our present body. Our bodies mind still needs renewing in the Word of God. The Truth sets us free from mental bondages & wrong thinking.

Water baptism represents the old man goes down and dies and the new man raises up alive forevermore in Jesus Christ (death & resurrection). The new man is the spiritual birth. It is everlasting life in the born of God Christian.

Of course there are two baptisms, one is water, and one is of fire & the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the baptism the Lord baptizes with. And with that is gifts of God. The Spirit of God is given to everyone born of Gods Spirit. It is the anointing and seal unto the day of redemption complete.

Answer 2

One of the most nagging questions in Christianity is whether or not baptism is necessary for salvation. The answer is a simple, "No." But you might ask, "If the answer is no, then why are there verses that say things like ‘. . .baptism that now saves you . . . ‘ (1 Pet. 3:21, NIV) and ‘ . . . Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins . . ." (Acts 2:38, NIV)? This is an honest question and it needs a competent answer. But, before I tackle this I need to lay a foundation of proper theology, then I'll address some of those verses that are commonly used to support the idea that baptism is necessary for salvation.

But I don't want to cut-n-paste any more than that , just go to this link to read the rest.

http://www.carm.org/questions/baptnec.htm

Answer 3

The shed blood of Christ provides the Church with the power to forgive sins in his name, and baptism is the typical way one becomes a member of the church, a temple of the Holy Spirit, an adopted child of God, and co-heir with Jesus Christ.

Peter sums it up quite nicely here, when he spoke at Pentecost:

Acts 2:38 But Peter said to them: Do penance: and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Church has known from the beginning that baptism replaces sin with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

How many more Bible verses do you need?

Answer 4

Baptism is the sacrament that frees man from original sin and from personal guilt, that makes him a member of Christ and His Church. It is thus the door to a new and supernatural life.

This sacrament has been undisputed in the Church since the beginning of Christian tradition. It has never been rejected by any heresy intending to remain on a Christian basis. Doubts could arise only about the ways and means of administering it and on its effects and way of operation. These things are therefore in essence what Church documents about baptism deal with.

THE CHURCH TEACHES:
Baptism is a true sacrament instituted by Christ. It is administered by washing with natural water and at the same time invoking the Most Holy Trinity. Anybody, even an unbeliever or a heretic can validly administer baptism. Since it confers grace by the signs' being properly carried out children can and should be baptized even while still infants. Baptism is necessary for salvation. Baptism effects the remission of original sin and actual sins and of all punishment due to sin; it confers sanctifying grace, membership in Christ and in the Church and the obligation to obey the Church's laws, and give an indelible character.

Note: from Pope Innocent III AD1201. The baptism of young children is not profitless. As circumcision made men members of the People of Israel, so baptism gives them entry to the kingdom of heaven......

Answer 5

It is symbolic. What is the most pure thing on the earth, used for anything and everything? The element of life? Water. It is used to dilute, cook, preserve, clean, hydrate, moisten, etc. Baptism is a ritual that is performed when a person is saved from their sin. The dunking of the body into the water is symbolic to washing away the sin of the old life and re-creating a new life. It is a means to cleanse the soul.

Answer 6

Because the Scriptures tell us as much. Baptism is a sign we are a believer, and cleansing of the spirit through a pledge toward Jesus.

If baptism is worthless and meangless, why did Jesus spend so much time DURING HIS MINISTRY NO LESS to do it? Was Jesus in the habit of wasting time?

Answer 7

It doesn't wash away sin. It points to the washing away of sin through the blood of Jesus. Some people get this confused.

Answer 8

the bad part is that baptisms are done the first couple of months of your life- how many sins have you done in the first months of your life? pooped one too many times? peeing on your diaper changer? puked up some sour milk? cried one too many times because you had colic? or didn't smile at your dad just because you still don't have a clue what that big thing is in front of you!

baptisms should be later in life so that can get rid of real sins , like shoplifting because your parents said"" no"" to the toy you wanted, secretly swearing when your mother tells you to clean your room, or have sex with someone at the ripe age of 14! treating ppl bad so you can be in the popular clique in school!

Answer 9

Baptism is a command of Christ. He said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16)

Many will tell you that someone believes, is saved, and then he shall be baptized. This is not the same thing Jesus said. It is not in the same order.

What would Jesus have said if he had meant, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved”? I believe he said what he meant and meant what he said. I believe Jesus! “He that believes not shall be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

Many agree that baptism is commanded by Christ, but they say it is not necessary for salvation. Hebrews 5:9 says, “He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”

Acts 2:38 says that baptism is “for the remission of sins”, “unto the remission of sins” or “so that your sins will be forgiven”. (Depending on which translation you read.) I Peter 3:21 says baptism now saves!

In the conversion of Saul (Paul), Acts 22:16 says he was commanded to be baptized and wash away his sins. Can we be saved if our sins remain? The blood of Christ washes away sins (Revelation 1:5).

Romans 6:3-4 says we are “baptized into Christ”. Can we be saved outside of Christ? (See Gal. 3:27 also.) These verses in Romans also say we are “baptized into his death”. At Christ’s death is where his saving blood was shed and offered for our sins. We must contact His death to contact that blood! Can we be saved if we have not contacted His death?

Romans 6:3-4 also say that at baptism we “rise to walk in newness of life.” At a birth there is a new life. Can we be saved if we have not been “born again” to this new life?

In the New Testament after Jesus gave the command about baptism, every example of a conversion specifically mentions baptism. None of these converts ate, drank, slept, or continued their journey until they were baptized. It was always immediate.

Saul who I mentioned earlier, spoke to Jesus. He called Jesus “Lord” and he asked what he needed to do to be saved. Jesus told him to go into the city and it would be told to him what he “must do”. In the city he fasted for three days and he was praying. (Acts 9:9-11) Many would say he was saved at that point, but he still had not been told what he “must do”. Then he was told to be baptized and wash away his sins. Please note, even though he had not eaten or drank for three days, he was baptized before he took food. (Acts 9:18-19) This shows the urgency of baptism.

After one believes, repents and confesses Christ, baptism is the point at which we come “into Christ”. The act of being immersed in water and rising up out of the water symbolically recreates Christ's death, burial, and ressurection. It is this way God has appointed for us to contact Christ's death and be forgiven of our sins. Baptism is “for the remission of sins”.

Some point to the thief on the Cross and say this shows baptism is not necessary.

The theif on the cross lived in a time when the Law of Moses was in effect. He died before Jesus rose from the dead to establish the New Law (the New Testament) and before Jesus gave the command about baptism (Mark 16:16). We now live in subjection to the New Testament. The theif could not have obeyed a form of baptism that had not yet been commanded.

Secondly, the death, burrial, and ressurection that baptism now represents (Romans 6:3-4) had not completely occurred at the time the theif died.

Third, the theif was in direct contact with Christ at his death and was able to make his appeal directly to him for forgiveness. We are not in that position. Through baptism, we contact Christ's death (where his saving blood was shed)(Romans 6:3-4, Col 2:12). Baptism is our appeal for a good conscience. That is why 1 Peter 3:21 says baptism "now saves".

Notice this verse: " 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." (1 Peter 3:21 NASB)

Without baptism today, we have not contacted Christ's death (saving blood). This is why baptism washes away sins (Acts 22:16) and is "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38) today.

Jesus commanded baptism, and obediance to him is necessary for salvation (Heb. 5:9)

Answer 10

It is strictly symbolic.
There are many people that go into the baptismal tank a dry sinner and come out a wet sinner.