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Water Baptism

I'd say that Jesus' baptism was for empowerment.
We are forgiven at salvation and justification...
We are empowered when baptized.
Amen. There is no other baptism linked to salvation moment when one is born again f the Spirit.
As stated above, I DO believe baptism is more than just a sign.
You stated Acts 10:43, which states that everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins.
They receives the remissions of sins when they believe in Him.
But Acts 2:38 tells us that everyone that is baptized in the name of Jesus received forgiveness of sins and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I believe baptism is more than just a sign to show that one is a follower of Jesus.
Since scripture does not go against scripture and there can only be one gospel, then what was clearly said to the Gentiles be believing in Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, has to be the same for the Jews. And since the Gentiles had received the promise of the Holy Spirit at their salvation moment before water baptism, then it has to be the same for the Jews.

So Ats 2:38 of "repent" has to mean to those Jews that had crucified Jesus in unbelief for why they were cut to the quick, that to repent from unbelief by believing in Him is how they too had received the remission of sins.

The water baptism interjected in between repent and what that repenting from unbelief by believing in Him actually does is why many today believes water baptism is how one receives remission of sins, but it is not.
I used to believe this myself.
But, so, you're baptized by your church and the members may be present, or most of them. So they know you are a disciple of Jesus.

Wouldn't they know it anyway?
And what about all those that do not see you being baptized?
There is that song and scripture confirms, "they will know we are Christian by our love.." Water baptism may testify of new believers that day in being His disciples, but how others know them is by their love.

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 John 5:1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

Now when we see someone professing Him and has trouble loving someone because of a wrong or whatever, loving our enemies is not natural reaction for us to do. This is why scripture is needed to show that believer to ask Jesus for help to forgive others for they know not what they do just to be set free from the devil's devices in getting a hold on our anger to tempt us to sin.

1 Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Ephesians 4:25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

By His help & by His grace, love in action is how people will know we are Christians.

But I digress.

Water baptism may serve as an outward public witness of new believers in taking the first steps in being His disciples in following Him, but His love paves the way we walk.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
 
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