18.1 What is baptism?
ANSWER:
Baptism means "dipping". It involves the complete immersion of a person in water. See Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-10; John 3:23; Acts 8:36-39.

18.2 What does baptism mean?
ANSWER:
It means several things:
(a) It reminds us that Jesus was buried and rose again, and thus it shows us that we can be saved through his death and resurrection. See Romans 6:3-4.
(b) It reminds us that because we are sinners, we deserve to die (if we were kept under the water we should certainly die!). See Romans 6:5-7.
(c) It reminds us that because God is merciful, He wants to save us from death by resurrection. Baptism is therefore a sort of "death" - a "burial" in water - and a sort of "resurrection". It is an acted parable. See Colossians 2:12-13.
(d) It reminds us that, just as water washes away dirt, so God puts away the sins of those who obey Him. When we are baptised, God forgives us all the sins we have ever committed. Thus we make a fresh start as disciples of Jesus Christ. See 1 Peter 3:21; Acts 22:16.
(e) It is the token by which we become children of God and members of the seed of Abraham in Christ Jesus through the everlasting covenant. See Galatians 3: 26-29.

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