What Does Baptism Do?

Baptism identifies you with the Kingdom of God. Paul says that baptism is the sign of the New Covenant, in the same way, circumcision was the sign of the Old Covenant. The imagery is the removal of flesh- putting off the body of flesh) / Denyal of flesh (Identifying with the Kingdom of God means cutting off the flesh with its desires. Although we don’t cut off any flesh in baptism, we symbolically cut off the flesh by denouncing the flesh’s desires for the desires of God. So, baptism is a leaving of the Kingdom of the world, with the world’s ways, and identity with God’s Kingdom.

Baptism brings you into the Kingdom of God. Baptism is done by the church.; it’s not something that the person does. Baptism is something the church does to bring people into the Kingdom of God. Baptism is a rite the church performs to bring you into God’s Kingdom; it is not just a demonstration of faith or a personal faith experience. It is a commitment to Christ and membership in his body. 

Baptism is also allegiance to the Kingdom of God. As one who has been identified with God's Kingdom brought into the Kingdom, we are to now live under the King of God's Kingdom, Jesus. What we proclaim that saves us is allegiance to King Jesus. The allegiance may be the most important part of baptism.