Water baptism, can you agree with this statement?

[staysharp]

Originally Posted by Brother Price

Is water baptism essential for salvation? I say yes. I believe wholly that the message of salvation is repeated throughout the pages of scripture, water baptism being an integrated part of the process.

Dear BP;

The old covenant required sacrifices of all kinds. A specific sin required a specific sacrifice. All old covenant sacrifices were "weak" or insufficient for the removal of sin. A new sin required a new sacrifice.

The ceremony of baptism under the old covenant required continual cleansing. Somewhat of a religious bath. If you were unclean, you needed a new bath. These baths were "mitzvahs" and are still visible under many ruins in Jerusalem and throughout the region.

When Jesus died, he was the perfect sacrifice and forever perfected them which are sanctified. He became the final and complete sacrifice. I know you know this, but here is the difference.

If baptism could save you, you wouldn't need the cross. If your analogy is correct, and baptism does "wash or remit sin", then what happens the next time a person sins? Yep, they would need to be re baptized. Well, then we are back under the law and might as well institute circumcision, and everything else.

Baptism is a sign of a committed heart to Jesus Christ and identifies with His sacrifice for us. It's what we do for Him, because of what he did for us. Acts 2:38..."For the remission of sin", Or For the sake of the Cross.