One Baptism for Forgiveness of Sins

Peter preaches the first full NT sermon on Pentecost in Acts 2. The people were brought under conviction and "cut to the heart." Peter tells them how to respond: "repent, be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, and receive the Holy Spirit." To repent involves turning one's heart and mind away from idols to the living God - from self-centeredness to God-centeredness. Baptism reflects one's repentance and faith - the inward spiritual experience should be joined to the outward physical rite. The immersion in water does not save; it is Jesus that saves. Baptism, not walking the aisle or saying the sinner's prayer, is the NT way to confess and declare one's faith in Jesus the Messiah. Two voices speak at a baptism: the voice of the believer pledging to serve Christ, and the voice of Christ receiving the penitent sinner based on his own shed blood. In the NT baptism is the meeting point of repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Baptism in the outward sign of our inward pledge to be Christ's servant forever.