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Matthew 28:19: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost..."
Mark 1:15: "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
Acts 2:37-38: "What shall we do, men and brethren?" "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
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From these Bible verses, it is clear that water baptism is a command of the Lord Himself, His ordinance. The Apostle Peter also speaks about this to the gathered Jews in response to their question — "What shall we do, men and brethren?".
"Teach all nations..." — this phrase indicates that before water baptism, a person must know about Christ: who He is, why He came into this world, what His death and resurrection mean for us, and what it means to be baptized in His name. Otherwise, what is the purpose of baptizing someone who does not know this? What meaning would it have? — There would be no result from such a baptism.
The Apostle Peter says that one must repent: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you...". The Lord says:
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Luke 24:46-47: "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
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From these passages of Scripture, it follows that repentance is necessary before water baptism. This raises further questions.
We have spoken much about baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. We understand that this baptism (immersion) into His death means that through faith, we are united with Him in His death and resurrection. This is clearly and thoroughly explained in Romans 6. Those who follow this teaching receive forgiveness of sins and freedom from sin.
It is clear that faith comes first, followed by the act of water baptism. Water baptism serves as a visible expression of a person’s faith, as if declaring their belief and making a pledge to God of a good conscience.
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**1 Peter 3:21: “**There is also a symbol which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God)”
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What about repentance? When reading the Bible or listening to preaching, a person begins to realize that they are a sinner deserving of punishment.
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1 Corinthians 14:24-25: "But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face, he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth."
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Repentance is a gift from God.
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2 Timothy 2:25: "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will."
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