If Baptism is unimportant, why did Jesus do it?

Question

did Jesus waste His time on unimportant things?

Answer 1

These Scriptures do not say that Baptism is unimportant:

Matthew 28:19:
Jesus said, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit."

Mark 16:15-16:
He said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 2:38:
Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

You're right. If Jesus commanded it as part of the Great Commission, then it must have been vital. Therefore it's not just a profession of faith. And it must be labeled as a sacrament. Same thing with communion, it's either a sacrament or a snack.

Why would it be vital unless it really did replace circumcision as a covenant between God and His own? And, if infants were included in circumcision as something that Christians did out of obedience to God rather than a profession of faith, then we have an entirely different look at this rite. It is no longer an "age of reason" issue, since the covenant belongs to God, not man. It isn't an issue with the amount of water, because the symbol is right there, pointing to the washing away of sins.

If baptism was only a symbol, Jesus would most definitely wasted his time and words. With baptism as a new covenant, we have something that is worthy of a commandment.

Answer 3

Baptism is absolutely critical, and it is required for our salvation.

Jesus received baptism:

1) To honor his cousin, John the Baptizer.

2) To set an example for all.

3) To receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit on his humanity, which was necessary to successfully complete his great mission of redemption.

Answer 4

EXACTLY.