The Baptism of Water
Over the course of human history, the atonement of guilt by the shedding of blood is found in many religions. Despite the piety of the worshipers, the blood of animals or even that of human beings cannot remove sins. Only the blood of Christ Jesus, who died on the cross in our stead, has the power to cleanse. But after almost two thousand years, where can we find His blood today? The answer is found in water baptism, where the wonder of God's miraculous cleansing takes place.
A Redeeming Fountain
"One of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water" (John 19:34)
The sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus on the cross opened a fountain for cleansing that flows to this day. Anyone who believes in the Lord Jesus and repents of his sins may be washed freely through water baptism.
When performed according to the biblically prescribed mode and in the name of Jesus Christ, baptism carries the marvelous power to remove all sins, for the precious blood of our Lord Jesus is present in the water by the Holy Spirit's witness. God has confirmed the baptism in the True Jesus Church by showing countless visions of Jesus' blood in the water and by working miracles of healing.
Water, Blood, and the Holy Spirit
If baptism were merely immersion in water, then it would be nothing but a religious rite, since water cannot take away guilt. But the mystery of baptism lies in the profound unity of water, blood, and the Holy Spirit.
"This is the one who came by water and blood -- Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the Truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement" (1 John 5:6-8).
With the presence of the Holy Spirit, the precious blood of the Lord Jesus is still in the water during baptisms performed by the Church. Baptism, therefore, is far more than a symbolic act.
Why Should I Be Baptized?
Most believers of Christ claim that baptism is simply a rite for becoming a church member of just an expression of a person's belief in Christ. This assumption makes water baptism unnecessary for salvation. But what does the Bible tell us? Let us look at what the Bible says about the effects of baptism.
extracted from True Jesus Church: Our Basic Beliefs - an Introductory Brochure
