"What Can Wash Away My Sins"?

I know that some of what I write here from time to time might cause you to think that I have a problem with “my tribe” as I lovingly call them, but the reality is that I love “my tribe” and am grateful for much of what I was taught that has brought me to where I am today. One of the issues that cause us to stand out from most of the rest of the religious world is our teaching on Baptism. While I readily admit that some of our number sound like they believe in baptismal regeneration, I have never believed that, and our tribe does not believe that either. Those who would accuse us of teaching baptismal regeneration believe that we believe that baptism is a work of merit that in some way earns us salvation. Nothing could be further from the truth. “What can wash away our sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus”. I believe those words with every fiber of my being. While reading Ben Overby’s blog today concerning grace and trust he made a powerful statement. “Some of us want to suppose that because of God's grace, we do nothing. The truth, however, is that because of God's grace we earn nothing. Grace is a gift ready to be taken by those who trust!” While Ben was not speaking of Baptism, the principle applies. Our response to Him in Baptism is an action of trust, not merit. Paul after spending three days in prayer, and obvious repentance, was told by Aninas, “Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.” Acts 22:16. Baptism is a plea of trust that results in the washing away of sins. In baptism we are asking –calling on His name – to be cleansed by the Blood of Jesus. This same principle is seen in another often misunderstood verse from I Peter 3:21, “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” How does baptism save? (Holy Spirit’s Words, not mine). Baptism is an appeal to God for guilt removal that is made possible by the fact that Jesus was raised from the dead and became our substitute. It is high time for folks to get over this “water salvation issue”. I don’t know anyone who believes that there is salvation in water apart from the Blood of Jesus. The Catholics are often accused of this, but I am not sure they believe it either. What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!