Baptism is the clear command of Christ. Matthew 28:19-20 NIV states, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” This is not an option but a command that is to be obeyed.
It was the clear practice of the New Testament Church (Acts 16:19-33, 8:12).
It publicly identifies a person as a follower of Jesus Christ. It is an important milestone in a believer’s life and a powerful testimony to others.
It publicly announces a person’s decision to receive Christ as Savior.
It’s a constant reminder to the church body that we are buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-4). Verse 4 states, “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 might live a new life.”
Christ modeled it for us. He, too, was baptized through water as an example to follow (Matthew 3:13-17).
Baptism spurs us all to remember the significance of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Symbolic baptism points to the past, when we believed in Christ and were washed clean by His sacrifice on the Cross. It reminds us of the present, new life we have through His Spirit, and the future life we will share with Him in glory.