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:Baptism cleanses from sin and saves us now. Ephesians 5:26-27; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; John 3:3-5. And after Baptism, if we sin, we can [[Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation|confess our sins and be cleansed from all unrighteousness]]. 1 John 1:9; James 5:16. The Word of God. --[[User:Dataclarifier|Dataclarifier]] ([[User talk:Dataclarifier|talk]]) 13:44, 24 November 2019 (EST)
:Baptism cleanses from sin and saves us now. Ephesians 5:26-27; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; John 3:3-5. And after Baptism, if we sin, we can [[Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation|confess our sins and be cleansed from all unrighteousness]]. 1 John 1:9; James 5:16. The Word of God. --[[User:Dataclarifier|Dataclarifier]] ([[User talk:Dataclarifier|talk]]) 13:44, 24 November 2019 (EST)
==Is there really a need for rancorous debate on this subject?==
I do not believe fellow Conservatives and brother and sister Christians should engage in such polemical disputes on this subject, when there are other, more important battles to be fought and won side by side. Catholics and Evangelicals alike believe that, when an adult convert believes, he is to be baptized. Catholics believe that ordinarily forgiveness of sins and the grace of the Holy Spirit is communicated to the catechumen in the baptismal font. Evangelicals (such as Baptists) mostly believe that forgiveness of sins comes through faith after which baptism is done as symbolic.
But both Catholics and Evangelicals agree that after belief and Baptism, forgiveness of sins and the indwelling Grace of God has come upon the baptized believer. Hence, the matter may not be as difficult as it appears at first sight. This consensus at least allows cooperative possibilities.
The Nicene Creed said "we confess one baptism for the remission of sins". This teaching that sins are forgiven in Baptism is found in St. Paul as well, and also in the Prophets like Zechariah. St. Paul relates, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16). St. Peter had said, "38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:38-40). Since children need the Holy Spirit, we baptize them in Christ.
And for children, we believe they receive the remission of original sin and the grace of the Holy Spirit upon being baptized, since St. Peter says the promise of the Holy Spirit is for children also. When they come of age, it is obligatory for them to profess faith in Christ, as they do either in Confirmation, the laying on off hands mentioned in Acts, and also annually in renewal of baptismal promises, especially the promise to believe the entire Creed, which professes Jesus as Lord and Savior. Hence, if all these things are only symbols, then Catholics are saved by their faith in Christ. If they are sacraments, visible means of grace, Catholics have access to the fullness of these means of grace. In either case, Catholics are saved. As for Evangelicals, if baptism is only a symbol, their faith in Christ will justify them. If it is a sacrament, the grace will justify them.
Catholics believe Evangelicals and other Trinitarian Christians have valid Baptism. JWs and those who don't believe in the Trinity do not have such. Again, a common Trinitarian Faith, and Faith in Christ as God and Savior, can unite Catholics and Evangelicals. Infant Baptism is the Gospel of Grace! Children don't need to do any works! They receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit just as an utterly free gift of of the Holy Trinity in Baptism!