Baptism

Late one night, Jesus met with a man named Nicodemas. Nicodemas was a Pharisee who found himself drawn to Jesus, though most in his order were against Him. The other Pharisees strongly denounced Jesus for claiming to be the Son of God. Though the miracles that took place at His word, His touch, His command, were unlike anything they had ever seen, these did not sway their opinions that Jesus was a false prophet. But Nicodemas was being swayed. He asked to meet with Jesus under cover of darkness.
It was at this meeting that Nicodemas—and all of us—received his first indication that the baptism of John was, like everything in John’s life, preparing the way for something greater. John the Baptist preached about repentance. Those who were convicted by his words would come to him and he baptized them in the Jordan River. But even John admitted that he was preparing the way for the One who was to come, “the straps of whose sandals I am unworthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Luke 3:16
Jesus told Nicodemas, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” John 3:3. This was very confusing to Nicodemas, who thought about this in human terms. But Jesus was speaking about spiritual things, and a spiritual kingdom.
The phrase “born again” is not a metaphor. It is a spiritual truth about what must happen to a soul for it to be saved. It must be crucified. It must die. It must be raised up. God, according to His powerful grace, completes this process through water baptism and the gift of faith. The problem of sin—as it regards the souls of mankind—is much greater than a behavior problem. Our souls were overcome by the darkness of self, selfishness, and self-righteousness. There was no remedy for this, but God made a way. He made a way for a soul to die, but also to be brought back to life.
Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were, therefore, buried with Him in baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:3, 4
So it is the cross of Jesus that made the way. Faith in Jesus brings forgiveness of sins. Baptism with water into the name of Jesus separates a soul from the sinful nature that once held it captive to the lie of self-righteousness.
Faith and baptism gives the recipient a new identity: It is the identity of Christ. Because of these, God calls him/her “holy.” He truthfully says he/she is, “free from sin,” and “blameless.” Baptism so completely removes sin that the Holy Spirit is then sent to cover, seal, and protect this now redeemed soul. For life on this earth, the Spirit is also power for living by faith. He is our Guide, Teacher, and Comforter.