To people of all faith, what is the importance or meaning of Baptism to you?

Question

Last Sunday I was in class and we started talking about different doctrines and how people/churchs view things differently. One doctrine that was brought up was "BAPTISM". I started to think about how even my family and I differ on the meaning/ importance of baptism, even though the scriptures are very clear on this doctrinal issue. People disagree on the way that it is to be performed, the reasons behind baptism, who has the authority to baptize, and the importance of baptism with salvation. So I would like to know what your beliefs are when it comes to someone being baptized, and also some scripture to back up your belief as well.

Why is there so much confusion in this world when it comes to religion, Paul taught us that... "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."
1 Corinthians 14:33

Mark, have you read your scriptures that you gave me,all of the above scriptures were about the needing of Salvation. I never said that baptism was needed for salvation, I said that is one point that people disagree upon. I take it when you use caps, it means your tone of voice got louder. If you reread John 3:3-7 when Nicodemus asked how to obtain the kingdom of Heaven, Christ told him that he must, and I quote "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (vs.5). Why would Christ tell him to be baptized if it isn't needed to reach heaven?

Jim B, how can you not see what Christ was talking about? What "water" birth is he talking about then, and why was Christ himself baptized? And why was it taught in both the old and new testament, if it wasn't important?

Also Jim B, have you read deeper into the chapter, why did this occur then, this chapter has alot to do with baptism.
John 3:22 ¶ After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
23 ¶ And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were bbaptized.

Answer 1

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (and please note that the phrase in para. 1277 is "necessary for salvation", not "baptism saves you"):

1275 Christian initiation is accomplished by three sacraments together: Baptism which is the beginning of new life; Confirmation which is its strengthening; and the Eucharist which nourishes the disciple with Christ's Body and Blood for his transformation in Christ.

1276 "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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Mt 28:19-20).

1277 Baptism is birth into the new life in Christ. In accordance with the Lord's will, it is necessary for salvation, as is the Church herself, which we enter by Baptism.

1278 The essential rite of Baptism consists in immersing the candidate in water or pouring water on his head, while pronouncing the invocation of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

1279 The fruit of Baptism, or baptismal grace, is a rich reality that includes forgiveness of original sin and all personal sins, birth into the new life by which man becomes an adoptive son of the Father, a member of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit. By this very fact the person baptized is incorporated into the Church, the Body of Christ, and made a sharer in the priesthood of Christ.

1280 Baptism imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual sign, the character, which consecrates the baptized person for Christian worship. Because of the character Baptism cannot be repeated (cf. DS 1609 and DS 1624).

1281 Those who die for the faith, those who are catechumens, and all those who, without knowing of the Church but acting under the inspiration of grace, seek God sincerely and strive to fulfill his will, can be saved even if they have not been baptized (cf. LG 16).

1282 Since the earliest times, Baptism has been administered to children, for it is a grace and a gift of God that does not presuppose any human merit; children are baptized in the faith of the Church. Entry into Christian life gives access to true freedom.

1283 With respect to children who have died without Baptism, the liturgy of the Church invites us to trust in God's mercy and to pray for their salvation.

1284 In case of necessity, any person can baptize provided that he have the intention of doing that which the Church does and provided that he pours water on the candidate's head while saying: "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Answer 2

According to the Bible, baptism accesses the blood of Jesus which is a requirement for the forgiveness of sin. We cannot enter heaven with unforgiven sin so it would seem baptism is pretty important. The Greek word for baptize means to immerse. But if you rely on King James to accurately translate the Bible, you may miss this point. The Bible references going into the water, an act not necessary for sprinkling (King James' belief) or pouring. I'm not discounting these methods, simply pointing out the Biblical facts. There is no reference to who did the baptizing in the Bible except for John. It is, of course, appropriate that a Christian would baptize but I would guess that's not a necessity. The baptism is between the baptized and God. The person performing the baptism is only a tool to accomplish this act of obedience.

Answer 3

Baptism is washing away your sins and putting on the armor of Christ. First you Confess of your sins by repenting and accepting Christ Jesus in heart your as your Lord and Savior.
Matthew 3:11-16 To get in the Kingdom Of Heaven follow these Commandments; Matthew 22:35-40 The Preacher should Baptize in the Name Of Jesus.

Answer 4

Water baptism is an outward show of the belief in Jesus Christ and His teachings. You go down into the water, as Jesus was laid to rest in the grave,(or tumb). You come up out of the water, as Jesus did on the third day as He said He would. Spiritual baptism is a different thing. It is when a person is truly repented and sorry for the sins they have done and they truly are going to change their lives. The spirit of God will ascend upon them and they will speak with other tongues, as proof of their salvation. All this can be found in the book of the Acts in the AKJV of the Bible.

Answer 5

I just read your "Additional Details" post.. I was shocked to see a Christian say that any of John 3 is about baptism. Look at it again it is about birth. Jesus tells us that there are TWO (capped for emphasis) births not three.. The first is the natural birth a birth of water.. second is a spiritual birth. See John3:6 This verse makes it very clear what the Lord and Nicodemus are talking about.. This is one of the most beutiful chapters in all the scripture don't cheapen it slapping a work of the Law all over it... IHS Jim

Answer 6

When I read the Bible, I see that baptism is the point of change from dead to living, (I Cor 15:29), it is the moment of change in being born again (John 3:5), it is my experience in coming to the cross of Jesus (Rom 6:3), it is the marking point of my salvation (I Pet 3:21), it is the aciton that signifies the removal of my sins (Acts 22:16), and it is when I receive the blessing of God (Acts 2:38). This is what baptism means to me.

That being said, I think that the trouble people have with baptism is that it is hard to understand the blessings of God, which are spiritual, coming at a point when we do something physical. Many people express this by saying that because we are saved by faith only, there is no action requried on my part for the free gift of God. However, I usually remind them of the words of James "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only".

One more example, I usually think of Naaman in II Kings 5. He was told to be baptized to remove his leprosy. He stated (to paraphrase) that there was nothing special about just getting in the water, and refused to do so. A servant girl reminded him that it was obedience, not the water, that he was observing, and so he was baptized and cured. A real fore-shadowing of baptism.

Answer 7

it somewhat is critical, you will be baptized. yet first, you may learn the Bible and pray approximately this. The Bible tells us that water baptism interior the call of Jesus Christ is “for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). the unique language says actually “into the sending away of sins.” So the question is, Can a man or woman inherit eternal existence if his sins have not been remitted, or sent away? needless to say no. this is why Jesus stated, “He who believes and is baptized would be saved” (Mark sixteen:sixteen). He did not says, “He who believes and is saved would be baptized,” as some prefer to believe. this is likewise why Peter wrote, “there is likewise an antitype which now saves us--baptism” (a million Peter 3:21). only as Noah had to commute by way of water interior the ark and only because of the fact the Israelites had to commute throughout the water of the crimson Sea, so could all who may well be saved come to Jesus throughout the water of baptism.

Answer 8

Baptism is for the washing away of sin. Ananias says to Paul, "‘Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away, calling on his name’" (Acts 22:16).

Additionally, Jesus linked Baptism with salvation, ""Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit." (John 3: 5)

Jesus considered Baptism to be so important, he told his disciples, "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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."

Baptism is the sacrament that makes us members of the Body of Christ, unites us with Jesus' death and resurrection, makes us adopted sons and daughters of God the Father, and gives us the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Why would anyone want to withhold such gifts from an infant?

I looked up some of the verses that mark gave:

"he saved us through the bath of rebirth and renewal by the holy Spirit," - Titus 3: 5

"This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 3: 21

This seems to CLEARLY state that Baptism is necessary for salvation. It is not the ONLY thing to be done for salvation, but it is necessary.

Answer 9

Water Baptism.... HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING..... to do with Salvation...!

I will give you some Scriptures.... and YOU... look them up Yourself....!

1Corinthians 12:13
Titus 3:5
Ephesians 2:8-to-10
Ephsisans 4:5
Romans 8:9
John 7:38-39
John 3:3-to-7
Galatians 3:1-2-3
1Peter 3"21

Water Baptism IS SIMPLY.... An Outward PROFESSION of Ones Inward..... FAITH TOWARDS GOD!

Nothing MORE.... Nothing Less...!

Anyone can.... Baptize... I myself have Done IT.... and I am not a Pastor!

There is... NO CONFUSION.... when ONE.... follows the WORD OF GOD.... and NOT Some Church Doctrine....!

Email me for More!

Thanks, RR

Answer 10

The importance of baptizing is that of a ritualistic cleansing of one's sins in an effort to show God that you're serious about committing yourself totally to Him. Without being cleansed, one cannot put on the mind of Christ for as the Scripture says in part, "....corruption (sin) cannot put on incorruption (holiness)."