1. We receive salvation by faith in the atoning sacrifice of Yeshua (Jesus)
2. After receiving salvation, believers are baptized in obedience to Yeshua’s (Jesus’) command.
3. Baptism is done by immersion in water.
4. The purpose of baptism is to obey the will of YHWH, to be purified of our past life of sin, and identify ourselves as believers in Messiah.
What is Baptism
βάπτισμα (Baptisma) — Immersion or submersion
Baptism is a ritual washing by immersion in water. Early roots of baptism can be seen in Numbers 19, where one who becomes unclean is required to bathe his or her body and clothing in water. Numbers 19:9 tells us this ritual washing is for the purpose of cleansing and purifying one from sin.
John the Baptist actively called people to repentance and baptism in preparation of the Messiah’s arrival. The purpose of John’s baptism was to announce the Messiah’s imminent coming and urge the people to acknowledge their sin, turn away from sin, and be purified in preparation of his arrival. Matthew 3:5-6 tells us people from Jerusalem and all over Judea went to John to confess their sins and be baptized. People understood the purpose of the baptism, and those who believed the Messiah’s arrival was at hand sought purification and preparation to meet him.
Why Get Baptized Today?
The Messiah wants us to be baptized.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20, ESV)
What is it the Messiah wants of everyone? First to believe him and receive his salvation (become a disciple), then be baptized into him (be cleansed of sin, initiated into his covenant, and identified with him), and finally to carry out all his commands.
Does Baptism Really Wash Away Our Sin?
The penalty for our sin is resolved through faith in the Messiah. Jesus died as a sacrifice on our behalf to atone for our sins before YHWH. If we genuinely believe Jesus and trust that his sacrifice is recognized by YHWH as our atonement and righteousness, then we receive forgiveness for our sins.
We are baptized in response to our salvation as an act of trust and obedience. After we believe and have salvation we want to obey everything the Messiah commanded, we want to turn away from sin and be purified, and we want to be identified with the Messiah. So, we undergo baptism after we receive salvation.
Physical water cannot take away our sin, it never could. What God has always wanted from us is trust and obedience. Anyone can be submerged in water, but without faith and obedience one is merely getting wet. It’s when we act in faith and obedience that God recognizes our response to His word and credits our faith as righteousness.