Why is Baptism Important?
Baptism is the act of being immersed in water. It may seem a silly thing for God to ask people to do, and many reject it as being unimportant. However, it is not just important–it is essential if you hope to receive the grace of God. Here are three reasons that baptism is important.
1. Baptism is an appeal to God for a good conscience. Peter said, “Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). When a person is plunged down into the waters of baptism, what he or she is really doing is appealing to God to be cleansed from sins. Since sin has cut us off from God (Isaiah 59:2), we must have a way to call out to Him. God gave us that way when He gave us baptism, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16). It is God, through the blood of His Son, who washes away sins and the act of being baptized calls on His name and appeals to Him for a clean conscience.
2. Baptism is the moment at which a person is clothed with Christ. Paul wrote, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Galatians 3:27 NIV). The only thing which will matter, on the Day of Judgement, is whether or not you are in Christ, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Baptism is the moment at which a repentant person gets into Christ.
3. Baptism is the moment at which a person is united with Christ. There is nothing magical in the water. It is not the water which gives men eternal life or washes away their sins, it is Jesus Christ! But the phenomenal event of salvation happens when man is united with Christ and His blood, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk innewness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Romans 6:3-5). When a person goes down into the watery grave of baptism by faith, he finds the saving blood of Christ.
Let me make one thing clear: man does not save himself by being baptized; he is saved by the grace of God when he responds in faith to God’s invitation of salvation. To read more about this subject I encourage you to check out my book, The Treasure Chest of Grace.
I love you and God loves you! Have a wonderful day!
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