WHAT IS BAPTISM
Baptism is a washing that symbolizes the cleansing work of the forgiveness of sins by faith (Acts 2:38). The Bible describes this cleansing work as having been (1) accomplished for believers by Christ, and (2) applied to believers by the Holy Spirit.
As a work accomplished by Christ, baptism symbolizes the cleansing blood of Jesus shed for us at the cross (1 John 1:7). Like the sprinkled blood of Old Testament sacrifices, Christ’s sprinkled blood cleanses us of our sin (Heb. 9:11–28; 12:24; 1 Pet. 1:2). Baptism by sprinkling symbolizes the cleansing, sprinkled blood of Christ: “…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb. 10:22; cf. Ezek. 36:25).
As a work applied by the Holy Spirit, baptism symbolizes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus instructed his disciples to remain in Jerusalem to await the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which is symbolized by water baptism (Acts 1:5). On the Day of Pentecost, Peter explained all that had happened in this way: “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing” (Acts 2:33; cf. Isa. 44:3; Joel 2:29; Acts 10:45, 47–48). Baptism by pouring symbolizes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, whom Christ gave us on the Day of Pentecost, according to the promises of the gospel.
