Baptism III — Spiritual Growth for New Believers

2. Baptism Brings the Forgiveness of Sins

Acts 2:38 records that the apostle, on the day of Pentecost, said to the Jews, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” This may be hard for Protestants to accept, but it is exactly what the apostle clearly said: Be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus so that your sins may be forgiven. The emphasis in the apostle’s words is not on believing, but on being baptized—which is indeed surprising.

Let me ask you: In Peter’s message in Acts 2, did he urge the people to believe? No. So then, does that mean Peter was worse at preaching the gospel than we are? The whole Bible emphasizes faith as essential for salvation—how could Peter have overlooked that? While it might be acceptable to omit other doctrines, how can one skip over faith? But Peter didn’t speak of faith—he spoke of baptism. And the Holy Spirit caused the listeners to be cut to the heart. What about us? We say, “Just believe and you will be saved”—this is the classic Protestant teaching. But Peter said, “Be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Why did Peter only speak about baptism? Because the people he was addressing were the very ones who had shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” fifty days earlier. These were the ones who had stirred up the crowds in Jerusalem. Now, they had to separate themselves from the multitude of Jews. So Peter didn’t need to tell them to believe—they only needed to be baptized. Once baptized, they publicly separated themselves from that group. By being baptized, they declared they were no longer part of that community. Baptism cleansed them of their sins and set them apart. That’s why Peter said, “Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Baptism was their way out—and once out, the problem was solved.

You need to see that you were once part of the world, enemies of the Lord, but once you step out, you are saved. You must declare before God and before people: “I have stepped out. I have nothing more to do with that group. It’s finished.” “Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” I tell you, this is the central message of Pentecost. Let your thinking be shaped by God’s word—not by Protestant theology.

3. Baptism Washes Away Sins

We also see this truth in Paul’s experience. Ananias came to Paul and said, “Now why do you delay? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16).

Paul was Christianity’s first teacher, first prophet, and first apostle—and also its greatest. If something was off in his experience, what then? Sometimes, even if our teachings are correct, our experiences may not align—what then when we give testimony? And if others follow our example? A teacher’s testimony is crucial—what if it leads others astray? So, could the first teacher of Christianity have had the wrong experience?

“Why do you delay? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins.” Take note—this Scripture says baptism washes away your sins. The Catholic Church quotes this verse and applies it to personal matters before God, saying that if someone is baptized—even at the point of death—their sins are washed away. But they misunderstand. The issue here is not about one's standing before God, but before the world.

Paul had once been part of the world. Now, having believed in and seen the Lord Jesus, he needed to rise and be baptized. In doing so, his sins were washed away. Once the connection to the world was broken, his sins were gone. If you believe secretly but do not get baptized, the world still considers you one of their own. You may say you are saved, but the world won’t acknowledge it. You say you believe in Jesus, but they say, “We don’t see it.” But once you go down into the water, they see it. They know you have believed—otherwise, why would a “normal” person willingly go into water like that? Baptism visibly breaks your connection to the world. Through this act, you are cut off from it.

If someone believes inwardly but shows no outward change, the world still claims him. For example, in Guling, Fujian, during the annual idol-worshiping season, everyone is expected to contribute. If someone says they believe in the Lord, no one takes it seriously. But once baptized, everyone knows: “He’s out.” Baptism is the best way to separate from the world. If you want to break ties with it, you must be baptized. You must declare, “I’m done with you.” That’s what it means to step out of the world.

Baptism is a public testimony. So, it’s not something to be hidden—nonbelievers can and should attend. Recently, in Fuzhou, during baptisms, a brother said, “We don’t like how chaotic these meetings are, with so many onlookers.” But if that’s the standard, even John the Baptist would have to come learn from us—his baptisms were even more chaotic! On Pentecost, three thousand were baptized—imagine that crowd! The issue isn’t whether the meeting is “messy,” but whether we understand what we’re doing. Baptism services should be open for the world to see.

4. Baptism Saves Through Water

God’s Word always follows the same principle. 1 Peter 3 says, “Noah’s time… they were saved through water—only eight people” (original text). This shows us that baptism saves us. The Lord Jesus said, “Whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved.” Peter at Pentecost said that through baptism, sins are forgiven. Paul showed us that through baptism, sins are washed away—not just forgiven, but cleansed—because you’ve broken ties with the world. And now in 1 Peter, we read that you are saved through water.

Let me tell you: If you haven’t gone through the water, you haven’t truly been saved. In Noah’s time, everyone got wet—but only eight came out alive. All were immersed, but only eight emerged from the water. In other words, the water was death for them, but salvation for Noah and his family. The floodwaters buried everyone else—but those in the ark came through. So Peter’s words here have a deeper meaning: The flood came, and all perished—only eight, safe in the ark, emerged. They were saved; the rest were destroyed. Today, the whole world is under God's wrath. But when I am baptized, I pass through that wrath—and I come out alive. My emergence is the sign of my salvation. That’s what baptism is.

Baptism involves both going down and coming up. Baptism is not just about going into the water—it’s about coming out. Everyone goes into the water; only a few come out. That’s the emphasis—coming out. Today, through baptism, we are also saved. Why? Because I didn’t remain under the water—I came out. That’s what makes me different. I came out of the world through the water. I testify to others: I am not like the world.

5. Baptism Separates a Person from the World

These four passages clearly show us what baptism is. Once I’m baptized, I’ve left the world behind. I don’t need years to gradually disconnect. For a new believer, the first step is baptism. You must see the world’s standing before God. Once you’ve cut ties with your former position, you are saved. You must fully separate from the world. From that point on, you are on the outside.

So, once we believe in the Lord, we must see ourselves as people no longer belonging to the world. Our baptism is the declaration of that separation. It puts a different color on us. From now on, I live in the ark—I belong to the other side. I don’t just tell people I believe in Jesus and therefore can’t do certain things—I say, “I’m a baptized person; that’s why I can’t do this.” Because I’ve crossed over. I’m on the other side now.

We must recover the meaning of baptism before God. What does baptism mean? It means coming out of the world—it is the formal act of separation. When you’re baptized, you’re telling people, “I’ve left.” Just like the hymn says: “Down to the tomb, loved ones weep around, knowing there’s no more hope.” (Hymn 469). They know you’re finished, with no path back—you’re done. That kind of baptism is meaningful. If not, your baptism is too light, too unreal. You must truly see that you’ve left the old circle—you’ve come out from it. Eternal life refers to your spirit’s relationship with God. Salvation refers to your disconnection from the world.