"Okay," you might say. "We baptize (and receive baptism) because Christ commanded it. But that doesn't make it more than just a symbolic act of initiation!"
You would be quite right... given what we've said so far. But there's more. And the "more" is what makes Holy Baptism more than just an initiation.
In Mark 16:16, Christ our Lord says, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Peter wrote in his first letter, "This water [of Noah's flood] symbolizes baptism that now saves you also... It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." And earlier, in the earliest days of the church, Peter said to a crowd on Pentecost: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins."
Because of verses like these, the Reformers concluded that baptism conveys great gifts: "It works forgiveness of sins, rescues from death and the devil, and gives eternal salvation to all who believe this, as the words and promises of God declare."
When was the last time a Junior High Honor Society initiation or citizenship ceremony did all of that!?! Clearly Holy Baptism is more than just an initiation.
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