“i am not sure why anyone ever refers to “water baptism”, the Scriptures only speak of baptism.”
The scripture refers to water baptism and Holy Spirit baptism, received at the time of salvation by believers as promised by Christ.
Luk_3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
“i ask you again, what is the purpose of “water baptism” according to the Scriptures?”
From Barnes’ commentary:
Baptizing them - as an emblem of the purifying influences of the Christian religion through the Holy Spirit, and solemnly devoting them to God.
In the name ... - This phrase does not mean, here, “by the authority” of the Father, etc. To be baptized in the name of the Father, etc., is the same as to be baptized “unto” the Father; as to believe on the “name” of Christ is the same as to believe “on Christ,” Joh_1:12; Joh_2:23; Joh_3:18; 1Co_1:13. To be baptized “unto” anyone is publicly to receive and adopt him as a religious teacher or lawgiver; to receive his system of religion. Thus, the Jews were baptized “unto Moses,” 1Co_10:2. That is, they received the system that he taught; they acknowledged him as their lawgiver and teacher. So Paul asks 1Co_1:13, “Were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” - that is, Were you devoted to Paul by this rite? Did you bind yourselves to “him,” and give yourselves away to “him,” or to God? So to be baptized in the name of the Father, or unto the Father, means publicly, by a significant rite, to receive his system of religion; to bind the soul to obey his laws; to be devoted to him; to receive, as the guide and comforter of the life, his instructions, and to trust to his promises. To be baptized unto the Son, in like manner, is to receive him as the Messiah - our Prophet, Priest, and King - to submit to his laws, and to receive him as a Saviour. To be baptized unto the Holy Spirit is to receive him publicly as the Sanctifier, Comforter, and Guide of the soul. The meaning, then, may be thus expressed: Baptizing them unto the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by a solemn profession of the only true religion, and by a solemn consecration to the service of the sacred Trinity.
Notice it does not say “those who are baptized NOT” are damned, only that those who do not believe are damned.
Mar_16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
The fact the Thief is not in hell, and Cornelius was baptized/filled by the Holy Spirit prior to water baptism, demonstrates that it is the BELIEF that should be emphasized, rather than the carnal ordinance.
It’s worth noting that the Romans emphasize water baptism so much, they do away with belief, as they practice baptism on infants who can make no public profession of Jesus Christ.
why did Jesus command the Church to baptize in Matthew 28?
surely there must have been a reason, no?