What is the spiritual meaning of baptism?
The sacramental view holds that baptism is a means God uses to convey grace. The person baptized is set free from the power of sin and given a new spiritual life (John 3:5-7). Roman Catholics and Lutherans hold this view of baptism. The covenantal view holds that baptism is not a means of spiritual rebirth, but a sign and seal of God’s covenant of salvation. Baptism depicts the freeing from sin that occurs with repentance (Acts 2:38), and serves the same covenantal purpose for Christians that circumcision does for Jews. The symbolical view holds that no spiritual benefit results from baptism, itself. Rather, it is a public symbol of a spiritual rebirth that has already occurred in the person being baptized.
