Peter replied, "REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED, EVERY ONE OF
YOU, IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE
FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS. AND YOU WILL RECEIVE
THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT."
( ACTS 2:38 *NIV )
Baptism parallels the death, burial, and resurrection
Of Jesus Christ. For it is written, "HAVING BEEN
BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM AND RAISED
WITH HIM THROUGH YOUR FAITH IN THE POWER
OF GOD, WHO RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD.
WHEN YOU WERE DEAD IN YOUR SINS GOD MADE
YOU ALIVE WITH CHRIST. *HE FORGAVE US ALL
OUR SINS, HAVING CANCELED THE WRITTEN CODE,
WITH ITS REGULATIONS, THAT WAS AGAINST US
AND THAT STOOD OPPOSED TO US; HE TOOK IT
AWAY, NAILING IT TO THE CROSS."
( COLOSSIANS 2:12-14 )
Therefore Baptism should also represent the death
And burial of our sinful old way of life. For remembering
That our old sinful life is dead and buried with Christ,
Gives us a very powerful motive to resist sin. And not
Wanting the desires of the past to come back to power
In our lives, we can consciously choose to treat our old
Desires as if they were dead.