Baptism, as an act, does not produce or accomplish anything in the Kingdom of God. It does not excuse our sin. It does not guarantee us a place in heaven. It does not give us power and courage to not make any more mistakes. Baptism is an act of obedience that follows belief in Christ, salvation, and professed commitment to God’s will in one’s life. It is an outward showing for humanity to see what God already sees in a person’s heart, and a milestone to reflect upon when doubt and insecurity inevitably come our way. Before Jesus gave His first lesson, before performing His first miracle, He was baptized. If we are to follow Him, what better first step can we take?
Romans 6:1–14; Isaiah 11:6; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8; John 1:9–13; Ephesians 2:1–9
