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Is Baptism Just a Symbol?

  If we, for a moment, put aside what we have been taught by others about baptism and look at what the scriptures say we may be surprised. It seems to me that when we allow the scriptures to speak, baptism becomes something far more important than just a symbol that we do just because Jesus told us to.  I ask you first to read these scriptures and consider the parts in them that refer to baptism carefully. Do they match with what people have been telling us? Sometimes something is repeated so often that we take it for granted that it is scriptural, when in fact it might not be.  Here are just 11 scriptures on baptism; there are more in the New Testament: ‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15‭-‬16‬ ‭ESV‬‬ And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.  Acts 2:38 (ESV) -  "And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
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Beyond Forgiveness

  Very often we are taught the first half of the Gospel. It goes something like this: All of us are broken sinners unable to save themselves and in need of a savior. Without Christ, people are enemies of God who have broken his laws and are eternally separated from him. No matter how many good works you do, you cannot earn your salvation. God therefore in his love and mercy, sent his Son to save sinners. As a result of the work that Jesus did on the cross, we have forgiveness of sins and eternal life. Not because we deserve it, but because he is worthy. This is indeed the first half of the Gospel. It is the good news that Jesus came to save sinners and all of it is true. However, we often neglect the second half of the gospel. Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eter
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