Why is Baptism so important?
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Once a person has been baptised they have been declared a member of God's people and they accept the mission to live faithfully and preach the Word of God. It is one of the sacraments that can not be repeated because it leaves a permanent mark on the soul of the individual. Baptism allows the adherent to gradually bridge the gap in the God and human relationship.
Scripture provides evidence for the importance of baptism in Acts 2:38 and Acts 8:13. These verses state that baptism is essential for salvation, however, the journey to salvation must begin with faith and partnered with repentance. It allows adherents to take part Jesus' death and resurrection to form part of the Body of Christ. John the Baptist preached this understanding of repentance and the cleansing of sin in baptism (Matthew 3:1-3) and how his baptism was one of water whereas Jesus' baptism was one of Spirit. The importance of water and Spirit is announced by Jesus in a conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:3.5-6,8), describing it as a vital need for the entrance into God's Kingdom.
Scripture provides evidence for the importance of baptism in Acts 2:38 and Acts 8:13. These verses state that baptism is essential for salvation, however, the journey to salvation must begin with faith and partnered with repentance. It allows adherents to take part Jesus' death and resurrection to form part of the Body of Christ. John the Baptist preached this understanding of repentance and the cleansing of sin in baptism (Matthew 3:1-3) and how his baptism was one of water whereas Jesus' baptism was one of Spirit. The importance of water and Spirit is announced by Jesus in a conversation with Nicodemus (John 3:3.5-6,8), describing it as a vital need for the entrance into God's Kingdom.
There is not only New Testament scriptural evidence, the understanding of water as a powerful symbol of cleansing is also seen in the Old Testament. The story of the waters of chaos in Genesis 1, and the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14 are both passages which demonstrate the strength of water and it's importance as a symbol of life and death. The significance of water dates back to Jewish scripture and the ritual baths that were used to cleanse adherents of sin and immorality, a recalling of Christianity being taken from Jewish traditions.
Baptism is both a personal and communal event. It is significant to the individual because it is an initiation into Christian life, an acceptance of Christ in their lives and freedom from sin after being reborn into the body of Christ.. It is significant to the community because the church members act as witnesses to event and share in the celebration of another adherent being called to be "the light to the world" (Matthew 5:14).
Baptism is both a personal and communal event. It is significant to the individual because it is an initiation into Christian life, an acceptance of Christ in their lives and freedom from sin after being reborn into the body of Christ.. It is significant to the community because the church members act as witnesses to event and share in the celebration of another adherent being called to be "the light to the world" (Matthew 5:14).