Baptism
Baptism is a symbolic practice that the Lord Jesus Christ commanded for all His disciples (Matthew 28:19). It does not contribute to a person’s salvation, but is the means to publicly demonstrate, that I have decided to follow Christ. In the “Great Commission”, it is mentioned as the first step of obedience. The Scriptural order of events is repentance (toward God), and faith (in our Lord Jesus Christ) unto salvation, and then baptism (Acts 20:21; 8:37).
As to the mode, the examples in Scriptures point to baptism by immersion (Acts 8:38), and the symbolism of baptism demands the same (Romans 6:4). The Lord, when He commissioned His disciples commanded them to do it in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).
Christ died for my sins, and rose for my justification (Romans 4:25). When, by faith, I come to Christ, recognizing my spiritual bankruptcy, and trust in the death and resurrection of Christ for my salvation, I pass from death to life (John 5:24). The Scriptures teach me that, at that moment, I (what I was in Adam) die with Christ (Colossians 3:3), am buried with Christ (Colossians 2:12) and am raised up with Christ (Colossians 3:1), to now be in Christ. These transactions that happened at the moment of salvation, are demonstrated in baptism, when I go into the water, and am under the water and then come out of the water. Thus, I am identifying with Christ that Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection was on my behalf (Romans 6:4-5). I also get to publicly proclaim, “Christ did all that was necessary for my salvation on the cross. I have believed it in my heart. I am expressing it outwardly in this way, as He commanded”.
Thus, baptism looks in three directions. It looks backward to the time of my salvation when I accepted Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection on my behalf. It looks outward, serving as a testimony to others of my faith in Christ. And thirdly it looks forward, with my commitment to walk in newness of life in a way that pleases the Lord.
Baptism is not necessary for salvation, but is necessary for obedience. In the days following, the reality of my profession should be demonstrated by my walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).