What does water baptism mean to your religion?

Answer 1

Complete immersion in water is a fitting symbol of this personal dedication, as baptism is a symbolic burial. Your going beneath the baptismal waters represents your dying to your former life course. Being raised out of the water symbolizes your being made alive to do God’s will.

Well, baptism affords you an opportunity to make your dedication to Jehovah God known publicly.—Romans 10:9, 10.

Of course, that does not mean that you will make no more mistakes, for all of us are imperfect and therefore sin daily. However, as a dedicated, baptized servant of Jehovah, you will have entered into a special relationship with him. Because of your repentance and your humble submission to baptism, Jehovah is willing to forgive your sins on the basis of Jesus’ ransom sacrifice. Baptism thus leads to a clean conscience before God.—1 Peter 3:21.
The Greek ba′pti·sma refers to the process of immersion, including submersion and emergence; it is derived from the verb ba′pto, meaning “dip.” (John 13:26.) In the Bible, “to baptize” is the same as “to immerse.”

5 Greek words translated “baptize,” “baptism,” and so forth, refer to immersing, dipping, or plunging under water. Smith’s Bible Dictionary says: “Baptism properly and literally means immersion.” Certain Bible translations thus refer to “John the Immerser” and “John the dipper.” (Matthew 3:1, Rotherham; Diaglott interlinear) Augustus Neander’s History of the Christian Religion and Church, During the Three First Centuries observes: “Baptism was originally administered by immersion.” The noted French work Larousse du XXe Siècle (Paris, 1928) comments: “The first Christians received baptism by immersion everywhere where water was found.” And the New Catholic Encyclopedia states: “It is evident that Baptism in the early Church was by immersion.” (1967, Volume II, page 56) So today, baptism as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses is a voluntary step involving total water immersion.

Baptism does not guarantee salvation. The apostle Paul wrote: “Keep working out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) Baptism is only a beginning. The question is, How can you remain in God’s love?

If you would like further information, please contact Jehovah's Witnesses at the local Kingdom Hall. Or visit http://www.watchtower.org

Answer 2

The baptism is a public display of your faith and it symbolizes your rebirth.

The baptism is NOT a precondition to be a Christian or to get to heaven.

I'm a Weslyan (an offshoot of the Methodists during the Civil War. The Wesleyans did not believe in slavery.)

Answer 3

1 Peter 3:21 And this is a picture of baptism, which now saves you by the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection. Baptism is not a removal of dirt from your body; it is an appeal to God from a clean conscience.
Colossians 2:12-14 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not het cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins. He canceled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ's cross.

Answer 4

(edited version of my answer to similar question)

In 98% of the Christian churches: nothing, but an historic symbolization involving water; and some denominations are more generous with their water than others. Some cheapskate churches only sprinkle, while others dunk. Some in tanks, some in rivers, some in lakes (not a good idea here in Florida-the gators love fat, crunchy Christians). The whole thing is a sham, a show, a public demonstration of their ability to gain new converts into their church; to boost their membership rolls and to fatten the treasury of their carnal empire. What it supposed to be as defined by Scripture in Romans 6 is an identification with Christ into His death. But who wants to die? Everyone wants only the new life as a Christian, the joy, the happiness, the new family of friends and the ability to sin freely with grace as their constant free pass from the consequences. Only once you understand and agree to your co-death with Christ to the world, to sin and to self are you a candidate to be buried into the waters of Christian baptism. Upon arising from the watery grave you inherit the new resurrected life that is in Christ, and membership into the Body of Christ which is the Church. This spirit endowment will provide the baptized with the power to live a life of a disciple of Messiah, in holiness, victory and union with Him. Most people refuse to die and thus we have the apostate church dunking everyone they can grab to baptize them into their polluted waters of deception. But business is good, the water wet and the coffers full. What more could they possible want? Certainly not the Christ of the New Testament who is now in heaven watching and waiting till the day He brings His wrath upon them. And that day is soon.

Answer 5

It is a ceremony-representing what has happened in a persons' heart. They believed in Jesus-salvation-their sins have been washed away. Therefore they publicly demonstrate that fact with a ceremonial washing-baptism.

Answer 6

To be born from above. We are born from a women, inside a sack of water. You are baptize in water, this is symbolic of birth, not of the flesh, but, of the spirit; in God and in the belief of Jesus Christ. Jesus was baptize by John the Baptist.
We should all be baptized unless we think we are better than Christ.

Answer 7

An approved standing before God, the request for a clean conscience, and an outward symbol of the dedication made in prayer.

Answer 8

it means a chance to "wash" away all of your sins and begin your life again, this time walking with Jesus all the way. It's a full submersion into a body of water the way Jesus was baptised by John.

Answer 9

For catholics its a recreation of John the Baptists interaction with Jesus. The water "purifies"

Answer 10

It is a symbol of being buried with Jesus and rising again free from sin. It does not save a person, but symbolized that they are saved. It is a public admission that a person has believed.