Peter explained what happens at baptism when he said, "Repent, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus
Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38 ). But he didn't restrict this
teaching only to adults. He added, "For the promise is to you and to your
children and to all that are far off, every one whom the
Lord our God calls to him" (2:39). We also read: "Rise and be baptized, and wash
away your sins, calling on his name"
(Acts 22:16). These commands are universal, not restricted to adults.
The connection between baptism and salvation is clear, not only because of these
passages, but because of other explicit
passages such as 1 Peter 3:21: "Baptism . . . now saves you, not as a removal of
dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for
a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
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