Article • Forgiveness & Redemption
Sin, Forgiveness, Cleansing, and Redemption
Isaiah 44:22 and 1 John 1:9 speak directly of sin, forgiveness, cleansing, and redemption, yet neither says one word about baptismal water. God forgives, Christ’s blood redeems, and faith receives the saving promise.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9 (KJV)
Isaiah 44:22 and 1 John 1:9 speak directly and unmistakably about sin, forgiveness, cleansing, and redemption, yet neither passage says one word about water baptism. God declares in Isaiah 44:22 that He has wiped away transgressions like a thick cloud and sins like the morning mist. The image is powerful. God removes the entire record of guilt so completely that it disappears. He then calls His people to return to Him because He has redeemed them. Redemption is God’s work, not the work of baptismal water.
In the same way, 1 John 1:9 says that when I confess my sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. John does not tell me to enter water to receive cleansing. He points me directly to God’s faithfulness and to the blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanses from all sin according to 1 John 1:7.
Jesus said that His blood was poured out for the forgiveness of sins in Matthew 26:28. Paul said that in Christ I have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of my trespasses in Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14. Peter declared that everyone who believes in Christ receives forgiveness of sins through His name in Acts 10:43. Paul preached that through Christ forgiveness of sins is proclaimed and that everyone who believes is justified in Acts 13:38 and 39.
The biblical message could not be clearer. God forgives sin. Christ’s blood provides redemption. Faith receives the saving promise. Confession restores fellowship with God. Water baptism is an important act of obedience and public identification with Christ, but Scripture never presents baptismal water as the power that erases guilt, forgives sin, cleanses the conscience, or purchases redemption.
Isaiah points to God. John points to God’s faithfulness and Christ’s blood. The apostles point to faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, I will not give baptismal water the saving power that Scripture gives only to God through the shed blood of His Son.
Salvation is only through a personal relationship with God the Father by grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. At the moment of saving faith, the believer is instantly and permanently indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who regenerates, seals, leads, guides, empowers, and sanctifies in their walk with God.
Common Questions
Does 1 John 1:9 mention baptism?
No. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Forgiveness and cleansing are both named, and water is not.
What does Isaiah 44:22 say about guilt?
God declares that He has blotted out transgressions like a thick cloud and sins like a mist, and then calls His people to return to Him because He has redeemed them. The record of guilt is removed so completely that it disappears.
Whose work is redemption?
God's. Redemption is God's work through the blood of Jesus Christ, received by faith in Jesus Christ, and not the work of baptismal water.
“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
2 Corinthians 5:18-21 (KJV)
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