Why do we baptize?

We baptize because Christ commanded us to do so.  In His final words to His followers before ascending into heaven, Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19-20)

His apostles also taught that followers of Jesus should be baptized (Acts 2:30; 10:47-48).  Under their leadership, the early church practice baptism; for example, 3000 on the Day of Pentecost, (Acts 2:41), the Samaritan believers (8:12,13), the Ethiopian Eunuch (8:35-39), Paul (9:17,18), Cornelius and other Gentiles (10:44-48), Lydia and her household (16:14,15), the Philippian jailer (16:32,33), Corinthians (18:8), and some Ephesians (19:1-5).

What does baptism signify?

The word “baptism” comes directly from the Greek language of the New Testament.  It was two related meanings, one literal, and the other figurative.  Literally, the word refers to dipping or immersion, but figuratively, the word means identification.  One interesting usage of the word which combines these two meanings was in the production of the cloth.  When a piece of cloth was dipped into a vat of dye, it was said to have been “baptized”.  Not only was the cloth literally “immersed” in the dye, it was also “identified” with the new colour.

For the Christian, baptism in water signifies the spiritual reality of being “placed into” and “identified with” Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5) and places him into Christi’s body, the church (1 Corinthians 12:13).  Being baptized in water visualizes this inner work of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, baptism is the outward physical testimony of an inner spiritual reality.