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Water baptism: Difference between revisions

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'''Baptism is identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.'''
'''Baptism is identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.'''
:''Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection:''  (Romans 6:3-5)
:''Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection:''  (Romans 6:3-5)
=What is the effect of baptism?=
Baptism is not salvational... it does not save a person.  This is clearly demonstrated in scripture:
Acts 8:9-23
:''8 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great...
:''13 Even '''Simon himself believed; and after being baptized''', he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.
:''18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
:''20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
:''21 “'''You have no part or portion in this matter''', for your heart is not right before God.<ref>New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Ac 8:20–23.</ref>


=Should Christians be Immersed?=
=Should Christians be Immersed?=
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=Is baptism required for salvation?=
=Is baptism required for salvation?=
Baptism is not salvational... it does not save a person.  This is clearly demonstrated in scripture:
Acts 8:9-23
:''8 Now there was a man named Simon, who formerly was practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, claiming to be someone great...
:''13 Even '''Simon himself believed; and after being baptized''', he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.
:''18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,
:''20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
:''21 “'''You have no part or portion in this matter''', for your heart is not right before God.<ref>New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Ac 8:20–23.</ref>


Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Jesus Christ performed once as the initiation of the believer into a community of believers, the church.  Baptism signifies the believer’s confidence that Christ’s work was complete for his forgiveness and justification and indicates his desire for unity with the church, Christ’s community of the new covenant, purchased at the price of his blood.   
Baptism is the immersion in water of a believer in Jesus Christ performed once as the initiation of the believer into a community of believers, the church.  Baptism signifies the believer’s confidence that Christ’s work was complete for his forgiveness and justification and indicates his desire for unity with the church, Christ’s community of the new covenant, purchased at the price of his blood.