Total Cleansing
Baptism is not invented by man. It
is an act of God which he commands us to receive. Jesus promises that "he
who believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mark ). There is saving effect in the
cleansing power of baptism.
The outward action of baptism,
which Jesus and his disciples demonstrated, involves going into natural flowing
water, head bowed, and being totally immersed in the water. Baptism must also
be performed in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The inward effect of baptism is
the cleansing of the soul by the blood of Christ. Baptism is that key moment in
your conversion when Jesus' blood will take effect on you and restore your
relationship with God, making you his child once again.
No sin is too great to be
forgiven. God is ready to pardon everyone who turns back to him and seeks
cleansing. But you must first accept Jesus Christ and his gospel of salvation,
confess your sins before God, and determine to follow his words.
It is during baptism that you come
before your Savior with your heavy burden of sin. As you are immersed in water
in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, his blood, which was shed on the cross,
will cover all your sins. There, on account of Jesus' sacrifice, God will
pardon every sin that you've ever committed in your life.
Therefore, baptism, along with
faith and repentance, is necessary for the forgiveness of sins. For this
reason, Peter, a disciple of Jesus, commanded the believers to be baptized.
"Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for
the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts ).
