Does your water baptism wash away this “wounded nature inclined to sin”?
Actually, a better word would be “regeneration”. Baptism does wash away sins, but the HS also regenerates the heart, so that a person is no longer a slave to sin.
I think maybe there is more to the role of baptism in God’s plan than you are giving credit:
1 Peter 3:18-21
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which he went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience
Acts 22:16 – Ananias tells Saul, “arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins.”
Titus 3:5-6 – Paul writes about the “washing of regeneration,” which is “poured out on us” in reference to water baptism. “Washing” (loutron) generally refers to a ritual washing with water.
Heb. 10:22 – “Having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Acts 2:38 - Peter commands them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ in order to be actually forgiven of sin, not just to partake of an empty ritual.
Baptism brings about salvation, not just a symbolism of our
salvation.
Acts 8:12-13; 36; 10:47 - if belief is all one needs to be saved, why is everyone instantly baptized after believing in Jesus?
Acts 16:15; 31-33; 18:8; 19:2,5 - people believe in Jesus, and then immediately are baptized. If accepting Jesus as personal Lord and Savior is all one needs to do to be saved, then why does everyone in the early Church immediately seek baptism?
Acts 9:18 - Paul, even though he was directly chosen by Christ and immediately converted to Christianity, still had to be baptized to be forgiven his sin. This text demonstrates the salvific efficacy of water baptism, even for those who decide to give their lives to Christ.
Acts 22:16 - Ananias tells Paul, “arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins,” even though Paul was converted directly by Jesus Christ. This proves that Paul’s acceptance of Jesus as personal Lord and Savior was not enough to be forgiven of his sin and saved. The sacrament of baptism is required.
Acts 22:16 - further, Ananias’ phrase “wash away” comes from the Greek word “apolouo.” “Apolouo” means an actual cleansing which removes sin. It is not a symbolic covering up of sin. Even though Jesus chose Paul directly in a heavenly revelation, Paul had to be baptized to have his sins washed away.
Rom. 6:4 - in baptism, we actually die with Christ so that we, like Him, might be raised to newness of life.
1 Cor. 6:11 - Paul says they were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, in reference to baptism. The “washing” of baptism gives birth to sanctification and justification, which proves baptism is not just symbolic.
Gal. 3:27 - whoever is baptized in Christ puts on Christ. Putting on Christ is not just symbolic. Christ actually dwells within our soul.
Col. 2:12 - in baptism, we literally die with Christ and are raised with Christ. It is a supernatural reality, not just a symbolic ritual. The Scriptures never refer to baptism as empty ritual.
What does this verse mean to you?
Rom 5:18
Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life.
This is a good question. We all bear the consequence of the sin of Adam, though only Adam and Eve bear the guilt of their sin. We are under condemnation because of the fall. Christ reverses the effects of the fall by providing a way out. You know yourself that, although Christ’s work on the cross is efficacious to justify all, the free gift of righteousness does NOT come upon all men unto justification. It only comes to those that choose it.
You’re supposed to flock to Jesus for salvation. If you turn to Him faith, you’ve become a born-again believer and joined His Church.
You are right, that we are to come to Jesus for salvation. However, Jesus teaches that one must be born again from above, by water and the spirit. This (baptism) is what makes people members of His church.
