07/09/2024
I believe so strongly that water baptism is an essential part of the salvation process.
In the Book of Acts 2:38, the scriptures said,
"Peter replied, “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. "
Jesus Himself never downplayed on the necessity of water baptism. Hence, He allowed Himself to be baptised by John the Baptist at the river Jordan. (Luke 3:21-22)
Water baptism is a major requirement for the body of sin to be crucified and destroyed that we might be no longer slaves to sin aided by our old man, I.e. the corrupted and fallen version of man occassioned by the deceit of satan in the garden of Eden. (Roman 6:6, Gal. 2:20)
To put on Christ and get rid of the old man (sinful man) to experience the full provisions of salvation, we must be baptized into Christ. (Gal. 3:27).