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As there was a cleansing accomplished by the many washings of the Old Testament order, so with the New Testament baptism, there is a work of washing, cleansing. Ananias urged Paul to be baptized and in the process to wash away his sins. Acts 16:22 As there was a physical washing of the leper for healing, so there is a cleansing effect in water baptism. A drinking vessel may have been contaminated but when it is washed it may be used again with the assurance that it has been cleansed. Our bodies are the bodies of sin and need to be washed and thoroughly cleansed. We now may enter into the presence of the Lord when our hearts have been sprinkled and purified by His blood. Plus, having had the body of sin cleansed in the waters of baptism. Heb. 10:22.
Water baptism is more than a religious act. It is more than a public confession of repentance and new birth. As every child is born into this world by water and blood, so every son of God is born of the water, the blood and the Spirit. This message comes from none other than the Lord Jesus, Himself. He plainly stated that except one be born of the water and of the Spirit they would not enter the kingdom of the Lord. John 3:5 The same process is predicted by the Lord through the prophecy of Ezekiel. Water was used to cleans from all impurities. A new heart and a new spirit would be given to replace the old. The Lord would implant His Spirit within His people that they might walk according to His perfect will. Eze. 36:25-27.
Water baptism is death. Death to the old man, the past life of sin and iniquity. In his letter to the Romans Paul was a little bit sharp concerning an apparent lack of knowledge of the reason for water baptism. He unequivocally expressed the true doctrine of the Word pertaining to water baptism. To be baptized into Jesus Christ is to be buried with Christ for we are baptized into His death. He took our place in providing salvation for us. Now we are privileged to follow Him in every experience which He had here on earth. Every step of the way is designed to destroy all the effects of the past life, the life of sin. In this process we are to be crucified with Christ. This is not to be a physical experience but is a spiritual work whereby we are delivered from the life of sin with all of its bondage’s and habits. We are set free by becoming one with Him in His crucifixion. Victory over the past life may only be achieved when we are dead to sin. Rom. 6:6.