It Pictures Something and It Accomplishes Something

Each of the ordinances has a distinct purpose and a distinct role in the life of the Christian. Baptism is an initiatory rite, a means by which a person publicly identifies with Christ Jesus—an occasion of joy and blessing not only for the person being baptized but for the entire church. This act pictures something, but it also accomplishes something. In the washing with water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we see a picture of being cleansed from sin, of being raised from death