Why is baptism important?

Question

Is God that symbolic??? Why would he be?

Answer 1

I don't think it is important or that God cares that much about symbolic things. I believe He/She wants us to be nice to each other.

Answer 2

1 Peter 3:21 (New International Version)

and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[a] of a good conscience toward God.

David T

Answer 3

God knows us better than we know ourselves. Major changes in our life are marked by events. One is not considered married until the ceremony. One is not considered educated until they graduate.

God gave us baptism, in my opinion, so we can pin point when we were saved.

Also to be saved we must be able relate to the sacrifice Christ gave for us. Romans 6:3-4 says we are "baptized into Christ" and "baptized into his death". At his death is where the saving blood was shed. At baptism, we recreate the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It is at this point where God chose for our sins to be forgiven.

We are to obey the gospel. (2 Thessalonians 1:8) The good news, "the gospel", is the death, burial and ressurection of Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

How do we obey the death, burrial, and resurrection? We don't literally have to die, be burried and rise again! Romans 6:17 says we "obey from the heart that FORM of doctrine." Remember this chapter talks about baptism and how at baptism we contact His death.

Baptism is our first act of obediance. Hebrews 5:9 says, "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."

It is at baptism our faith become alive, because faith without action is dead (James 2). We cannot be saved by a dead faith.

At baptism we contact (at least symbolically) the death of Christ. When we come to Him in this way, he will forgive our sins. That is why baptism is "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). That is why "baptism saves" "through the resurection of Christ" (1 Peter 3:21). That is why, at baptism we come "into Christ" (Romans 6:3-4, Gal. 3:27) We can not be saved outside of Christ!

Finally, and most important, baptism is important because God commanded it! As I have already pointed out, we must obey Christ to be saved (Heb. 5:9).

Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved". (Mark 16:16)

Answer 4

"Christian baptism, according to the Bible, is an outward testimony of what has occurred inwardly in a believer’s life. Christian baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The Bible declares, “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:3-4 NIV). In Christian baptism, the action of being immersed in the water pictures being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection."

Answer 5

Peace!
Baptism is the Sacrament by which we are reborn to God, cleansed from original sin and personal sins and made a member of the Church. - Catholic Doctrine
God bless!

Answer 6

For us Catholics, baptism is not "symbolic" at all.

All of us are born with the stain of original sin. Baptism removes that stain. Literally.

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Answer 7

In baptism, one symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Answer 8

They have to do something with all that water in the church baptismal font before it goes rancid, you know. Besides, they get a collection from all those who come to watch.

Answer 9

God is God.

Baptism brings you under the blood of Jesus, it shows your obedience toward God. And it is for the remission of sin.

Answer 10

When Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist, he (jesus) said that his followers were to do the same and get baptised! I think it's when the Holy Spirit comes into you and washes away the sins!