We at the Good News regularly receive questions about baptism, so here is an overview of the subject.
Answer:
In preparing for water baptism, we first need to understand that God the Father decides whom He will call to eternal life now in "this present evil age" (Galatians 1:4). The Father is "the Lord of the harvest" (Matthew 9:38). This is said in context of those whom our Creator is calling tosalvation, His firstfruits now in this age of man.
The Father takes the first step by calling whom He will (see John 6:44, 65). And Christ has made possible the forgiveness of our sins—transgressions of God's law—through His sacrificial death on our behalf.
The first requirement on our part for water baptism is true and genuine repentance. True repentance is a positive process that results in change, rather than the selfish sorrow of this world (see Acts 2:38; 3:19). Yet fulfilling this requirement is not possible without our Creator's help. Scripture says that the goodness of God leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). God is the one who grants us repentance if we sincerely ask and earnestly desire to turn our lives over to Him.
Repentance involves an honest recognition of the errors of the past, genuine sorrow for that wrongdoing and a resolute determination to change our lives. It leads to a change of mind, a change of heart and a change of lifestyle.
After we are led to truly repent of our sins and the pulls within us that cause us to sin, God has bound Himself to completely forgive us.
Notice King David's explanation of God's extraordinary mercy in Psalm 103:8-12: "The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us."
Repentance and forgiveness go together. Jesus Christ said that He would use the apostle Paul "to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins" (Acts 26:18, emphasis added). God forgives us because the sacrifice of His Son has abundantly satisfied the penalty for our past failures to keep God's law. Jesus Christ shed His own precious blood to pay the price for our sins—sin being the transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4).
What are the requirements on our part? They consist of true repentance and living faith followed by water baptism (all with God's generous guidance and help). The final part of the baptismal ceremony consists of the laying on of hands of the ministry—the biblical method God uses to impart His Holy Spirit, which empowers us to resist and overcome sin (Acts 8:14-17; 19:5-6).
The Holy Spirit is the down payment, and its presence within us becomes the assurance of everlasting life to follow in God's Kingdom. Rest assured that God is more willing to give us His Holy Spirit than we are to give good gifts to our children (Luke 11:13). Christ said that it is the Father's good pleasure to give us the Kingdom (Luke 12:32).
If you would like personal counsel in regard to water baptism, please contact our office nearest you listed on page 2. We will be happy to arrange an appointment with a minister of the United Church of God. If possible, please include a contact telephone number or e-mail address. For further study about water baptism, you may also wish to request our free booklets The Road to Eternal Life , Transforming Your Life: The Process of Conversion and You Can Have Living Faith .
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