"Baptism and New Birth – Part 2" centers on one big idea: baptism is the place of God’s work. John Mulligan shows from Scripture that Jesus invites us to a conscious, faith-filled meeting point where God does what only God can do—wash away sins, give the Spirit, and raise us into a new life. Like finding the correct gate before a flight or showing up in the operating room for surgery, the point isn’t our performance but being in the place God designated. In Acts 2:38 , those cut to the heart are told to repent and be baptized “for the forgiveness of sins” and to receive “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Paul’s own story echoes this: “Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16 ). Peter is just as direct: “Baptism…now saves you—not the removal of dirt…but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—it saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 3:21 ). Titus calls it “the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Tit 3:4–7). And Colossians frames it as burial and resurrection “through your faith in the working of God” (Col 2:11 –12).

From these texts, several clarifications rise. Baptism isn’t a work that earns salvation; it’s the humble, trusting place where we receive it. It isn’t for infants or those unable to understand; it’s a conscious act tied to faith, repentance, and confessing Jesus as Lord. It isn’t a later badge that says “I was already saved”; biblically, it’s the moment sins are remitted and the Spirit is given. Nor is it a mere rinsing—Scripture ties it to Christ’s death and resurrection, a real new birth that changes our status and launches a lifelong transformation. Edge-case hypotheticals (the person “on the way to be baptized”) shouldn’t become excuses to delay obedience; we trust God’s character in uncommon scenarios, but we must not ignore His clear instructions for those fully able to respond now.

So the call is both simple and searching. If you’ve been baptized as Scripture describes—immersed in faith, turning from sin, confessing Jesus—remember what God did there and live from it: purified, Spirit-indwelt, and confident in grace. If your “baptism” lacked understanding or faith (done to you, not by you in trust), consider revisiting it in light of God’s word—this isn’t about pride or perfectionism but about meeting Jesus where He promised to act. And if your heart is cut today, answer like the Ethiopian official: “Here is water—what prevents me from being baptized?” When we step into the water in faith, God does the surgery, God flies the plane, and we rise rejoicing—born again to a new life with Him.