Baptism, therefore, has a spiritual significance. And again, consider the criminal who was crucified with Christ: (10:14)

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise. (luk 23:43) (10:15) see

Clearly, this man was saved-through the promise of being with Christ that day in paradise-but was not baptized with water. (10:16)

The Baha'i Writings explain:
Man cannot free himself from the rage of the carnal passions except by the help of the Holy Spirit. That is why He says baptism with the spirit, with water and with fire is necessary, and that it is essential-that is to say, the spirit of divine bounty, the water of knowledge and life, and the fire of the love of God. Man must be baptized with this spirit, this water and this fire so as to become filled with the eternal bounty. Otherwise, what is the use of baptizing with material water? No, this baptism with water was a symbol of repentance, and of seeking forgiveness of sins. (10:17)

But in the cycle of Baha'u'llah there is no longer need of this symbol; for its reality, which is to be baptized with the spirit and love of God, is understood and established. (saq 92) (10:18)

So, although Baha'is realize that baptism is an essential aspect of salvation, and that they themselves need this grace, their interpretation of the meaning of baptism is clearly not the baptism of John, which was with physical water, but the baptism whereby the Christ was to baptize. (10:19)

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