The reason for being baptized is two-fold, One, is that it is an act of obedience that demonstrates our commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism becomes a public identification with Christ, and much like a wedding ring identifies that a person is tied to someone, baptism identifies the one being baptized as being a member of the family of God and a follower of Jesus Christ. It is also a witness to the reality of what has been done in the baptized life. It shows humility as the participant goes down into the water, reminding us that we must humble ourselves before God. It testifies of our submission, as we allow ourselves to be baptized by another, Reminding us that there is nothing we can do to obtain Salvation on our own, rather we obtain it by submitting to the word of God. I testifies of the union we have with the Godhead as we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Reminding us that all three persons of the trinity are involved in the work of salvation. It testifies of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, as it pictures His death, as we are baptized backward; it pictures His burial, as we are placed under the water, and it pictures his resurrection, as we are raised out of the water and back on our feet. As a person comes up from under the water, they are wet from head to toe, to picture the complete cleansing from sin they have received from Christ. It testifies to the reality that in Christ we are raised to new life, as we come up out of the water. And as a person exits the water it is a testimony that we have been raised to new life in Christ, and we are now to live for Christ. Where are you in your walk for Christ. Baptism is an important part of the Christian walk, and it is to be the first real step of obedience in the Christian life. If you are saved and never been baptized you need to consider the importance of this step of obedience, If you have been baptized we need to reflect back and remember the commitment we made to follow Christ.
