Romans 6:3-4 (KJV)

³ Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

⁴ Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Baptism has been a topic of debate for centuries. Some denominations believe if you aren't baptized in water, you will go to hell regardless of your belief. Others believe that it's not as important as keeping the commandments. The concept of baptism can be understood in two different ways: water baptism, which is an outward symbolic act, and spiritual baptism, which is an inward transformation.

While water baptism has been practiced as a public declaration of faith, the Bible places far greater emphasis on spiritual baptism. Spiritual baptism is the act of being spiritually united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection aka believing the gospel. Romans 6:3-4 tells us that when we are baptized into Jesus Christ, we are baptized into His death.

Spiritual baptism is not about being immersed in water. It's about being immersed in the blood of Jesus Christ.

Through spiritual baptism, we participate in the death of our old sinful identity and rise to newness of life, clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Spiritual baptism is about accepting Jesus Christ and His sacrificial death on the cross. When we place our faith in Jesus, His blood purifies us from all sin—past, present, and future.

This purification is a one-time, complete and eternal act that does not require any additional work.The blood of Jesus is sufficient to cleanse us fully and eternally.

The story of the thief on the cross is a powerful testament to the truth of spiritual baptism. The thief recognized that Jesus was innocent and that He was dying not for His own sins but for the sins of others, including the thief’s own sins.Though the thief was not water baptized, Jesus assured him, "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." This assurance was based solely on the thief’s faith in Jesus, not on any ritual or external act. The thief's salvation highlights the truth that it is not the act of water baptism that saves us, but our faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. We must be united with Christ through faith and receive the forgiveness of sins.

Water baptism, while a meaningful symbol, is not necessary for salvation. What is necessary is faith in the blood of Jesus that washes away all sin. 

As believers, we should focus on the true spiritual baptism. It's not about rituals or religion, it's about relationship and accepting that Jesus washed the whole world's sin through spiritual baptism.

Amen!