John the Baptizer baptized Jesus in the Jordan River (Mark 1:9–11). Jesus’s disciples baptized by Jesus’s instruction (John 4:1–2). John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 19:3–5). When Jesus resurrected from the dead, He commanded baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit to become a disciple of Christ (Matthew 28:19–20). Peter preached and commanded this baptism when the apostles received the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. Peter instructed, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38 ESV). This must be the “one baptism” that Paul noted in Ephesians 4:5.

Baptism is not sprinkling or pouring of water in the Bible. Baptism in Jesus’s name is a burial as Jesus commanded (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:12). Baptism comes from the Greek word in the Bible meaning “immersion,” and baptism needs much water (John 3:23). The apostle Paul explained that baptism unites the repentant believer with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4; cf. Galatians 3:27). The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is the gospel that saves Christians from death and separation from God by their sins (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). Both Peter and Paul taught that baptism is when God does the work of forgiving sins (Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:12–13).

Why would Jesus command baptism in water? Water has always been associated with cleansing, so baptism is symbolic of God’s spiritual work. However, baptism is no mere bath to clean the body but it is an appeal and a call to God for a clear conscience and forgiveness of sin (Acts 22:16). Peter taught, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). Evidently, baptism is essential to salvation and the moment that God forgives sins.

Thank God that He forgives our rebellion and degrading of others. “All have sinned fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23; 5:12). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Jesus died for us and overcame the consequence of death due to everyone when He resurrected (Romans 6:9–10). Jesus brought peace and overcame the consequence of sin (Romans 3:23–26; 4:22–25).