No — baptism has no cleansing effect today; water could never take away sin, and cleansing comes by the Word.
Water baptism, even in John's day, was symbolic — it pointed to the need for spiritual cleansing but could not accomplish it (Clip 0). Les Feldick teaches that the "washing of water" in Ephesians 5:26 is not baptismal water but the Word of God, which is how believers are cleansed today (Clip 7). By the time of Paul, even the baptizer changed: the Holy Spirit now baptizes believers into Christ (Clip 6).
Ephesians 5:26 — Directly names the agent of cleansing — the washing of water by the Word — which Les clarifies is not baptismal water.
Matthew 3:11 — Shows John's water baptism was unto repentance and distinct from Christ's baptism with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
The Old Covenant system of offerings and washings was temporary and never cleansed the conscience. Hebrews 9:9–10 states the gifts and sacrifices offered "could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience," and that the system stood "only in meats, and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation." The New Testament distinguishes John's water baptism from the baptism that would come through Christ. Matthew 3:11 records John saying, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire." Acts 1:5 repeats the distinction: "For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." And for the church, Ephesians 5:26 identifies how Christ cleanses His own: "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word."
Les Feldick teaches that water could not take away sin in any era. Even under the Old Covenant, the ceremonial washings — the same Greek word translated "baptisms" — were symbolic, standing "in meats, and drinks, and baptisms" until the time of the Reformation (Clip 0). He is emphatic: "The water couldn't take away sin, but it was a symbolic gesture indicating a need for a spiritual cleansing" (Clip 0). When John the Baptist appeared, his baptism was "with water unto repentance" and was directed to Jews who were preparing their hearts for the King and His Kingdom (Clips 1, 2). John baptized with water, but he pointed ahead to the One who would baptize "with the Holy Spirit, and with fire" (Clip 1). Even Jesus' baptism was symbolic — He had no sin to repent of, but He symbolically fulfilled the washing of the priesthood and identified Himself with His covenant people, Israel (Clip 3). By the time of Paul's letters, there is a complete change of operation: the Holy Spirit, not Jesus, is now the baptizer, and He baptizes believers — predominantly Gentiles — into Christ (Clip 6). And for cleansing today, Les points to Ephesians 5:26 and makes clear the "washing of water" is "not baptismal water" but the Word: "This is how we're cleansed. We just literally inundate ourselves with the Word, and it has a cleansing effect" (Clip 7).
Les Feldick points to Ephesians 5:26 and makes a careful distinction: the "washing of water" in that verse is "not baptismal water" — it is the Word. "This is how we're cleansed. We just literally inundate ourselves with the Word, and it has a cleansing effect" (Clip 7).
John's baptism was a water baptism connected to repentance. He addressed Jews and told them he baptized "with water unto repentance," while the coming Messiah would baptize "with the Holy Ghost, and with fire" (Clip 1). Les explains that these Jews were showing saving faith that "the King and the Kingdom" had arrived, and that the baptism of repentance could not be separated from that faith (Clip 2). Even then, the water was only symbolic — "the water couldn't take away sin" — it "was a symbolic gesture indicating a need for a spiritual cleansing" (Clip 0). Those baptized in the Jordan were "baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins" (Clip 4).
Les shows from Acts 1:5 that the word "but" marks a flip side: John baptized with water, but believers would be "baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence" (Clip 5). By the time of Paul's letters, there is "a complete change of operation": it is no longer Jesus baptizing Jews into the Holy Spirit; the Holy Spirit is now the baptizer, and He baptizes believers — predominantly Gentiles — into Christ (Clip 6).
Jesus had no sin to repent of, so His baptism was not for cleansing. Les explains it was symbolic: He symbolically fulfilled the washing of the priesthood and identified Himself with His covenant people, the nation of Israel (Clip 3).
Water Could Not Cleanse
Les explains that the ceremonial 'washings' (baptisms) under the Old Covenant were symbolic only — the water could not take away sin, but pointed to the need for spiritual cleansing.
John's Water Baptism vs. Christ's Spirit Baptism
John baptized Jews with water unto repentance, but he pointed to Christ who would baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire — showing water baptism was never the cleansing agent.
Baptism of Repentance for the King and Kingdom
John's baptism was a required public proof of saving faith that the King and Kingdom were present — inseparable from repentance, not a cleansing rite.
Why Jesus Was Baptized
Jesus needed no repentance or cleansing; His baptism symbolically fulfilled the washing of the priesthood and identified Him with Israel.
Baptism's Controversial Nature
Baptism is one of the most controversial subjects in Christianity, and it was connected with confessing sins at the Jordan — context that helps frame what baptism can and cannot do.
The 'But' in Acts 1:5
Les highlights the word 'but' as the flip side: John baptized with water, but believers would be baptized with the Holy Ghost — a change from water baptism to Spirit baptism.
Baptism's Total Reversal in Paul
By Paul's letters, the Holy Spirit is the baptizer who baptizes believers into Christ — and baptism in Scripture does not always mean water.
Cleansing by the Word, Not Baptismal Water
In Ephesians 5:26 the 'washing of water' is not baptismal water but the Word of God; this is how believers today are cleansed.
Ephesians 5:26: That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Shows the cleansing agent for the church is the Word, not water baptism — directly answering whether baptism cleanses today.
Matthew 3:11: I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Shows John's water baptism was unto repentance and distinct from Christ's Spirit baptism.
Hebrews 9:9: Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Shows the Old Covenant offerings could not perfect the conscience — background to why baptismal water cannot cleanse.
Hebrews 9:10: Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
The 'washings' (baptisms) were carnal ordinances — ceremonial, not cleansing from sin.
Acts 1:5: For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Marks the transition from water baptism to Spirit baptism.
Matthew 3:6: And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
John's water baptism was accompanied by confession of sins.
No. Water could not take away sin, even when John was baptizing. Baptism has always been a symbolic gesture indicating the need for spiritual cleansing (Clip 0).
Les Feldick teaches it is not baptismal water but the Word of God. Believers are cleansed as they inundate themselves with the Word, which has a cleansing effect (Clip 7).
By the time of Paul's letters, the Holy Spirit is the baptizer, and He baptizes believers — predominantly Gentiles — into Christ (Clip 6).
Watch the Teaching: Gospel of the Kingdom vs. Grace: What Most People Miss