Many Christians believe a myth about baptism—namely, that the sacrament of baptism washes away our sins, thus bringing us into right standing with God.

But what it really teaches is that we are connected to Christ through the new birth in such a way that we actually become joined to Him. And having become united with Him, we now enjoy all the benefits accomplished on the cross—just as if we had suffered the punishment of death for sin ourselves.

Water baptism, then, is a powerful symbol of the spiritual reality of being joined to Christ, both in His death and in His resurrection. We are commanded to perform the ritual of baptism as a public acknowledgement of our decision to step forward into this new life in Him. (Romans 6:3-5)