Why be Baptised [shared by Angeline]

 

What is the importance of Christian baptism?  

 

For Christians, baptism represents the believer following Christ into His death, burial, and resurrection. The symbolism is perfect and filled with deep meaning. In baptism, the eyes are closed, the hands are folded, and breath is suspended as in death — if only for a moment. Then comes burial in the water; then resurrection from the watery grave to a new life in Christ. When raised from the water, the eyes open and breathing begins again. It’s a likeness of the resurrection.

The great difference between Christianity and every other religion is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. In these three acts, all that God desires to do for us is made possible.

To keep these three vital acts alive in the minds of Christians until the end of time, the Lord instituted baptism by immersion as a memorial. No other form of baptism can possibly meet the symbolism discussed in Romans 6:4-6.
 
4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--



The Bible says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:16). This is pretty powerful evidence that we all Christians need to be baptized.


However, not that some have given their lives to Jesus, but they couldn’t get baptized because of the circumstances of prison or bad health. Think about thief on the cross; he wasn’t baptized, but Jesus guaranteed he would be in heaven after the resurrection. So if a person wants to be baptized but isn’t able to, it isn’t an obstacle to their salvation. The Lord is merciful.

But if you are a Christian, it is important to make a commitment to be baptized.




Peter repeats this instruction to be baptisedat the beginning of the Christian Church (See Acts 2:38[15])
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus tells his disciples of the
importance of baptism at the end of the gospels of Mark and Matthew, in His last words before He ascended into heaven. ('have 'See Matthew 28:18[13], Mark 16:16[14])

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Baptism is a public symbol of personal repentance toward God.


(See Acts 2:38[26], Matthew 3:11[27], Acts 19:4[28], 1 Peter3:21[29])

38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

11 "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Paul taught that

water baptism was our way of identifying with the death of Jesus Christ. (See Romans 6:4[16], Colossians 2:12[17])

4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.


Those who were baptised justified God, ie: agreed/verified that He is right -- and those who rejected baptism rejected God's plan (See Luke 7:29-30[25]):
 
29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus' words, acknowledged that God's way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30 But the Pharisees and experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)


The Bible water baptism was always done by full immersion. (See Matthew 3:16[34], John 3:23[35], Acts 8:38[36])

Water baptism in The Bible should be done as soon as possible after a person had repented

. (See Acts 22:16[33])


16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'

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I prayed that these words will add to your understanding reasons for baptism, removing any obstacles that you will have and filling you the courage and determination to be baptised so that you can lead a new life under His umbrella, where your old self to be crucified with Jesus! Amen…