What is the importance of baptism in Christianity?

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   Canucks goalposted 8 years ago

   What is the importance of baptism in Christianity?

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   Thief12posted 8 years ago

   I don't think it's "important" in the sense of "If you're a Christian, you HAVE to do it!", but it's a symbol. It's a public celebration of the person's decision to "wash away" his old life and choosing to follow Jesus.

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      "REPENT" (Acts 2:38)!

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   LoliHeyposted 8 years ago

   The importance is that it is how you become a Christian.  It is your proclamation to the world that you have given yourself over to Christ.  It's a way of saying that you are born again and cleansed of all of your sins.  Theif is right--you have to do it.

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      Austinstarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Sure, I was baptized. I was told it was something I had to do. It's a public dunking while someone says some magic words over you. Ha! What a crock. One of the reasons I choose to ignore Christianity these days. So, no, u don't have to do it.

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      LoliHeyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      You do have to do it.  But then you have to practice Christianity, or it means nothing.

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      Rich kelleyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Amen
      1John 1:7  but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
      The forgiveness is IF we walk in the light, no walk no cleanses.

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      Thief12posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Just a correction. I never said "you have to do it". On the contrary. Although baptism might be an important event to a Christian due to its symbolism, I don't consider it neither necessary nor obligatory. Just wanted to clarify my comment.

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I never thought I'd agree with Austin but if baptized according to Matt 28:19, it was just a "public dunking!"  Went down a dry devil & came up a wet one because it's not IAW Scripture (Acts 2:38)!

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I can see the author of this Q is SATAN who does not want TRUTH (Jn 8:44)!
      "REPENT" (Acts 2:38)!

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   Rich kelleyposted 8 years ago

   Act 8:36-39  And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, "See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?" And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
   
   The above scriptures show a couple of things. The question about there was water and why not baptize happened because Philip had explained scripture and the eunuch knew that once you believe the next thing to do (as Jesus did at the start of His ministry) is be baptized. There was water, no one knows how much so the doctrine of fully submerged vs sprinkling is nothing but an argument between religious people. I'll say if you believe you should be baptized as soon as you can. I also believe it is not a public celebrations like is done in church buildings. The only people that knew about the encounter between Philip and the eunuch were those that were there. Nothing was planned. Classes were not attended for "x" amount of weeks. Numbers were not reported to the boss. Certificates were not issued. You don't become boasting rights for the leaders.
   
   The baptism that John (the Baptist) did, which is what the water baptism is, was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin. This is a hard thing today with the "Jesus loves me just the way I am" crowd. Jesus preached repentance as well. Jesus loved enough to provide a way for the sinner to be forgiven. That way is repentance and your sins will be forgiven. No repentance no forgiveness. All the water in the world matters not if there is no repentance.
   
   The importance is that with out the baptism of repentance which leads to the forgiveness of sin you are not part of the Kingdom of God. There are no sinners in the Kingdom of God.
   
   Now Could you repent, receive forgiveness and be part of the Kingdom of God without the water baptism I don't know, I'd suppose so. I know John the Baptist started it, and Jesus follow through with it and later the disciples water baptized new believers so I'd rather follow their example (being a disciple of Christ) and not worry about what might be a "technical" aspect of something.

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Rich: Since we r disciples, aren't we supposes to "OBSERVE" the disciples? If so, why MOST aren't baptized as WORD says for "repentance" as Acts 2:38? Nicene Council get u again?

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      U FOOL!  Gal 3:1!
      "REPENT" (Acts 2:38)!

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   SpiritusShepherdposted 8 years ago

   Christ our Lord says in the last chapter of Matthew, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV). Paul refers to baptism as burial and resurrection with Christ, not in poetic terms, but in reality (Romans 6). In Titus, Paul says "[God] saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit," (Titus 3:5 ESV) Peter says, "Baptism now saves you." (1 Peter 3:21).
   
   Baptism is not a work we do to please God (see the aforementioned Titus verse). Without God, Baptism is just plain water. But the water included with God's Word in Baptism is a washing of regeneration. It is a means by which God surely and certainly gives promises of salvation, as the Word of God declares in the aforementioned verses.
   
   When I doubt my faith, salvation, inner strivings, or efforts to be like God, sometimes I wonder if I am saved. But I was washed, and therefore sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I can point to my baptism and say that God promised to save me at that font, and He has not lied.
   
   Many Christians, believe that Baptism is a work we do to show our dedication to God. I can't really find what verses they cite for that, because I have yet to find a single Bible verse that describes Baptism in this way. Baptism is not our work, but God's. It's a way that He gives us a tangible promise that He will be with us always, even to the end of the age.

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      U FOOL!
      Can u find ONE PLACE the disciples did as commanded in Matthew 28:19-20?
      Why? BECAUSE the Nicene Council FOOLED u as MOST!

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      U FOOL!
      Why didn't disciples do as commanded in Matt 28:19-20?
      Nicene Council FOOLED u too?
      "REPENT" (Acts 2:38)!

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   Norine Williamsposted 8 years ago

   NONE!  According to responses here!
   
   Even author does not believe WORD!
   "REPENT" (Acts 2:38)!
   
   Everyone just "go alone with "teachings," headed straight for HELL vs "STUDYING" (II Timothy 2:15)!
   
   Matthew 7:13-14!

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