Baptism is the ceremony that allows our spirit to be born again. Through it, God buries our sin in water and we can live a new life in Christ (
Ro 6:1–4).
Jesus’ crucifixion represents our recognition and repentance of sin. Jesus’ burial symbolizes the burial of our sins in water through baptism. And, Jesus’ resurrection corresponds to our commitment to living a new life following Christ. In return for our pledge to live a new life, God promises us salvation (
1Pe 3:21).
God promised us numerous blessings in baptism: entering the Kingdom of Heaven (
Jn 3:5), receiving the forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit (
Ac 2:38), and becoming a child of God (
Gal 3:26).
Baptism is not simply a ritual, but part of the New Covenant. Jesus taught us not only to be baptized but to also follow the teachings of the New Covenant. This includes
the Sabbath Day,
the Passover, and the rest of the
Feasts of God.
Lastly, the baptism through which we can receive all of God’s promises must be performed according to the criteria Jesus left for us 2,000 years ago: in the
three names of God.
