Baptism is not something that you do to proclaim your faith (nor is faith a work that we do), but it is something that God does to give you faith and grants entrance into his kingdom.
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV
Baptism is entrance into the Kingdom of God
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
John 3:5
One does not need to be baptized to die and go to heaven (we think of the thief on the cross [extreme circumstance]), but in the normal life of the Christian, God guides them to Baptism and gives them faith in their Baptism once for the remission of sins.
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved
Romans 10:9
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38 ESV
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 ESV
Baptism saves us in that God uses it to seal us with the Holy Spirit and his name, naming us His sons and daughters, starting the process of sanctification (Becoming more like Christ)
“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…”
Matthew 28:19 ESV
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:16 ESV
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:4 ESV
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says,
“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,
and he gave gifts to men.”
Ephesisan 4:4-8
I believe in one, holy, catholic (universal) and apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
-end of the Nicene Creed
What benefits does Baptism give?
“It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare.” -Luther’s Small Catechism
Q. 94. What is baptism?
A. “Baptism is a sacrament, wherein the washing with water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, doth signify and seal our ingrafting into Christ, and partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace, and our engagement to be the Lord’s.” -Westminster Smaller Catechism
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