Is baptism just an outward sign of an inward condition?

Question

Does baptism (done correctly) cleans us of our sins, and brings the indwelling of the Holy Spirit or is it just something we do to obey Christ when He said to "go into all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit"?

For those who say that baptism is just a sign. Then what do you make of these verses speaking of the forgiveness of sins and reception of the Holy Spirit:

Ezekiel 36:25-27 "I will SPRINKLE clean water on you and make you clean from all your filthiness and everything else that has defiled you. I will give you a new heart and a new mind... I will put MY SPIRIT in you"

Acts 2:38 "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."

Acts 22:16 "Get up and be baptized and have your sins washed away"

Answer 1

Baptism actually saves; it is not just symbolic.

Mark 16:16. Jesus said "He who believes AND is baptized will be saved." Jesus says believing is not enough. Baptism is also required. This is because baptism is salvific, not just symbolic.

Matt. 28:19-20. Jesus commands the apostles to baptize all people "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

Acts 2:38. Peter commands them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ in order to be actually forgiven of sin, not just to partake of a symbolic ritual.

John 3:3,5. Jesus teaches that unless we are "born again" of water and Spirit in baptism, we cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Baptism brings about salvation, not just a symbolism of our salvation.

Acts 8:12-13; 36; 10:47, 16:15; 31-33; 18:8; 19:2,5. New Christians are instantly baptized after learning of Jesus, which is inconsistent with the doctrine of faith alone.

Acts 9:18, Acts 22:16. Even Paul, though he was directly chosen by Christ and immediately converted to Christianity, still had to be baptized to be forgiven his sin.

Rom. 6:4. In baptism, we actually die with Christ so that we, like Him, might be raised to newness of life.

1 Cor. 6:11. Paul says they were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, in reference to baptism. The “washing” of baptism gives birth to sanctification and justification, which proves baptism is not just symbolic.

Gal. 3:27. Whoever is baptized in Christ puts on Christ. Putting on Christ is not just symbolic. Christ actually dwells within our soul.

Col. 2:12. In baptism, we die with Christ and are raised with Christ. It is a supernatural reality, not just a symbolic ritual.

Titus 3:5-7 – “He saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit, which He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ, so that we might be justified by His grace and become heirs of eternal life.” Baptism, the “washing of regeneration” “saves us.”

1 Peter 3:21. Peter expressly writes that “baptism, corresponding to Noah's ark, now saves you; not as a removal of dirt from the body, but for a clear conscience. “ Hence, the verse demonstrates that baptism saves us; it deals with the interior life of the person (purifying the conscience, like Heb. 10:22), and not the external life (removing dirt from the body). Baptism is now the “circumcision” of the new Covenant (Col. 2:11-12), but it, unlike the old circumcision, actually saves us, as Noah and his family were saved by water.

Note there are special exceptions: The baptism of desire (Luke 23:43, the good robber) and the baptism by blood (e.g., Matt. 20:22-23; Mark 10:38-39; Luke 12:50, the Holy Innocents). Those martyred for the faith may be saved without water baptism.

Answer 2

Baptism is an outward expression of an inward experience, and yes, you have it right, baptism is required. Baptism by imersion is biblical, not sprinkling on the forehead. Baptism is the symbol of you old man dying and a new baby in Christ being born. Jesus said to a man in one of the Gospels :you must be born again" and the man replied :how can I climb back into my mothers womb and be born again". Jesus said, "you must be born again of water and then by the Holy Spirit" (or something like that). Philip was taken by the Spirit to the eunick in the desert who was riding on a cart studying Isiaiah for the purpose of his baptism. Baptism is important. Paul calls new Christians "babies" who need to be fed the word of God for growth. At baptism your name will be written in the "Book of Life" in Heaven, however, if you are not obedient to God's word and His Law, your name may be "blotted out". God Bless, may the Spirit lead you into all truth.

Answer 3

Many people in Christendom have the same fundamental misunderstanding about baptism.

This comes from the reformation heritage of Protestantism that is rooted in Sola Fide (“faith alone”). This was a reaction to the abuses of the Catholic church in teaching that you must earn salvation through meritorious works, penance, indulgences, etc.

The New Testament definitely makes it clear that salvation is centered in our faith. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” How much clearer could Paul be?

Because baptism is a physical act (physical water, physical dunking, etc.), it is misperceived by many folks as a work, as something separate and apart from faith.

Now, you have to look at the context to understand the meaning of the word “work.” Romans 4 tells us that Abraham was justified by faith apart from works, but James 2 tells us that Abraham was justified by faith and works. The two different writers were just using the same word to mean two different things. Even belief is called a work in John 6:29, so you just have to look at the context. A work (in Eph. 2) is something that you do to earn salvation. I need to underline that word “earn.” There have always been people who think they can earn salvation by doing enough good deeds (which, of course, you can’t).

The thing is, baptism is presented in the Scriptures, not as a work to earn salvation, but as a response of faith—as an act of submission.

And just as a side note, the only place in the Bible that says “faith alone” is in James 2:24 which says “not by faith alone.”

Answer 4

Baptism makes us children of God and as such are saved by God's grace, through faith. We go into Holy Baptism a sinful creature, and come out a reborn child of God. It is a spiritual rebirth, and a gift from God. There is nothing that we can do to save ourselves, it is only through our baptism and God's grace that we are saved.

Answer 5

Baptism yes is an outward expression of your devotion to the Lord God Almighty. It holds no presedence over whether or not you will make it to Heaven.

Answer 6

Water baptism doesn't save and is not required for salvation. It is for the already saved.

The only way to be saved and go to heaven and not eternal hell is by believing that Jesus, who is God, died for our sins on the cross and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Answer 7

Done correctly......is the moot question..........Jesus told Nicodemus ...one should be baptized in water and spirit.........it is my humble opinion.....He meant His word (water) and Him indwelling in us as Holy Spirit............both will make us new

Answer 8

Baptism is an outward show that you have dedicated your life to God.

Answer 9

Thank you, your question helped me to remember something from the past.

i.e; my baptism.

And yes, i ave' that kind of memory,

Answer 10

you dedicate your self to god baptism is just to show it publicly