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I am sorry but I am interpreting that passage differently than you do. It says (much better than I am able to verbalize) "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also-not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God"

I think we are at different points in our journey on the path (He who has more will be given more Matt 13:12). I am still new to scripture so He has only revealed to me the importance of the washing with water (baptism) in this reference.

Matthew is one of my favorite stories in the bible. Doesn't he remind you of Elisha? He allowed greed/money to corrupt him but when Jesus called him, he prepared a dinner (as Elisha did with his ox and plow) and then simply walked away. He left everything he thought was so important behind to...

Don't most people announce their engagement and then spend a year preparing for the marriage ceremony?

No but he did need to show us the path we were to walk, correct?

Oh, I see your point. But then why did he feel the need for water baptism? Not only for himself but for the others he himself baptized 1 Cor 1:13?

And you don't think asking John to baptize him in water was him showing you way of water baptism?

I don't agree with this statement: you fulfill this pledge every time you chose to serve him and others, but you make the declaration of your commitment to him at the baptism. I also don't necessarily agree with the more we grow the more we do because the more we trust. I think I did it...

Agreed. Not just to friends and family but to God Himself. You are declaring you acknowledge his sacrifice and pledge to worship him and follow his path. Like a wedding ceremony

But the John 3 reference you gave states "Jesus answered "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit" So if there is no water to symbolize walking the righteous path, what water is Jesus referencing here? And unfortunately, I still...

Oh, now I see your point. I agree you cannot cleanse your soul, only God/Jesus can do that. But the baptism is you acknowledging/declaring your sins have been washed away and you are living a new life in Christ. Making a covenant if you will to live/walk with God .

Sorry...I really am trying to understand but what you are saying just not clicking for me. Are you saying by believing in Jesus, God has given you new life (baptized your spirit)--no Holy Spirit, no cleansing required?

we are saved before, the washing after is symbolic of the "new" birth

The last part "water baptism symbolizes the act of God washing you and making you white as snow. I do not agree with the Adam and Eve reference though. Adam and Eve covered themselves with fig leave in sin and shame, there was no washing/cleansing

Oh no. I am so sorry I didn't explain myself well. I don't believe baptism atones for anything. Only the blood of Jesus atones for our sins. What I am saying is once the sins are atoned for, we wash and put on new clothes (baptism)

So if I am to understand what you are saying here: the baptism is not water or oil but the Holy Spirit when we receive it? Please note I am not trying to contradict anyone here or arguing one way or another. I am trying to learn and get fresh perspectives.

I agree with what you have said here. Whoever believes will have eternal life (you left out the most obvious: the sinner on the cross beside Jesus) but I believe the baptism is "the putting on the clothes" like Joshua and the Israelites before going to the base of Mount Sinai.

Would you elaborate on your point. I don't understand.

I do believe Jesus was/is without sin. Even John objected to baptizing Jesus (Matt 3:13) because Jesus was without sin. But I do believe that Jesus needed to experience everything mankind experiences (pain, deprivation, etc) so that when we try to excuse our sins by saying "because of this or...

Sorry, I am new here. How do I find the explanation. I didn't ignore it, just didn't see it.