What is baptism, and why is it significant? Baptism is a public declaration of your commitment to obey Jesus. Although baptism is not required for forgiveness, it serves as a powerful representation for what has occurred in your lifetime. Baptism is derived from the Greek word baptizo, which meaning “to immerse” or “to plunge.”
People who recently accepted the religion of baptism or children born in Christian families undergo the process of baptism. Baptism is mostly done in churches but sometime people prefer to have more private ceremonies which they either perform themselves or call a priest. To carry out the process at home you will need baptismal sets, Blessed Sacrament Orthodox lamp, ablution cups, holy oils, chrismatory sets and other religious accessories which you can easily get online on websites like Holyart.
So, the question is why is baptism such a vital aspect of the Christian journey?
Baptism is considered as a sacrament by which individuals who have sinned and come to the religion of Christianity declare their connection with Jesus in his crucifixion and resurrection by being submerged in water. Here are some biblical bases to signify the importance of Baptism.
Baptism was Ordered by Jesus Himself
“And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28.18-20
Baptism is a public declaration of your faith. It’s the activity that expresses what’s going on within your head. If Jesus is indeed who you claim He is to you, He will instruct you to do particular actions.
Baptism is a manner of providing a visible testament to an interior act of God after repenting of your sins and professing faith in Jesus.
Baptism Signifies Union with Jesus
By belief, we are united with Jesus Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection through baptism. Baptism vividly depicts what occurred spiritually when you accepted Christ: Your former self of disbelief, disobedience, and worship died, and you were replaced by a new personality of faith, obedience, and adoration of Christ. When you are baptized, you declare this to the world and to God.
Baptism Defines your Identity
You associate yourself with Jesus Christ when you are baptized. Baptism is a spiritual ritual in which a believer connects with death of Christ, burial, and resurrection, as per the Bible. Baptism declares us to be new beings in Jesus Christ. We demonstrate that our former existence is gone to evil and drowned by trust in Jesus by sinking in the water. We demonstrate that our new identity is established by the Lord and brought to life by the power of the Holy Spirit through being lifted out the water.
Baptism is the Declaration of Faith
The significance of baptism involves the fact that it is a statement of the faith and belief of a person getting baptized. It is impossible for a nonbeliever to perform. Baptism conveys to the world that you are a new person. You are no longer the person you once were. You are really a different person as ordained by Jesus. Jesus Christ is your new savior, and you vow to live in moral spirituality.