Baptism is meant for those who have personally placed their faith in Christ, as Scripture emphasizes the need for belief before baptism.
The affirmation that baptism is exclusively for believers is rooted in the understanding of its purpose and the examples provided in Scripture. In Acts 8:36-38, the Ethiopian eunuch clearly states his belief in Jesus Christ before being baptized by Philip. This pattern illustrates that baptism is not a means of initiation but a declaration of faith. Furthermore, Romans 6:3 underscores that those baptized are those who have died with Christ and are raised to new life, which presupposes an understanding and acceptance of the gospel. Therefore, only those who have faith and can articulate their belief in the gospel are eligible for baptism.
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