IMPORTANCE OF BAPTISM.
We are commanded by the Lord Jesus, every one of us, to be baptized as a sign marking our death to sin into him.Baptism is a symbolism filled with deep meaning,and therefore as a basic command,it should not be overlooked.Satan, being aware of this,he is always seeking to keep people from being baptized;or if they do,then they undergo an improper form of baptism, while they believe in their hearts that they are already baptized.
Baptism is important to us in so many ways.However,today we will only look at one main benefit of being baptized.Whreupon after knowing that,we will ourselves decide whether to be baptized or not.And this significance is that “We are saved from God’s wrath upon our enemies and the enemies of the Lord.”
When God wanted to save Noah,he had to destroy the whole world while Noah was still in it.Yet the secret behind this is that the flood waters only killed Noah’s enemies and those of the Lord,but he himself was left safe.And the Bible relates Noah’s ordeal during the flood as an act of baptism.This is why the scriptures say:
1 Peter 3:20-12;
“Which sometime were disobedient,when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing,wherein few,that is,eight souls were saved by water.
The like figure whereunto even baptism,doth also now save us(not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
The baptism of Noah and his family was for the purpose of destroying all evil that sorrounded him.
Likewise,when God wanted to destroy Pharaoh’s army in order to stop them from pursuing and troubling the Israelites,he did not afflict them with diseases nor did he bring down fire from heaven to consume them.God caused their destruction in the Red Sea,where they were swept upon by the waters and drowned.This marked an end to the Egyptian soldiers who had been in pursuit of the children of Israel.
1 Corinthians 10:1-2;
“Moreover, brethren,I would not that ye should be ignorant,how that all our fathers were under the cloud,and all passed through the sea;
And all were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.”
In both cases,the enemies were destroyed.For Noah,he was saved together with his family,but all his and the Lord’s enemies were destroyed.Similarly, the Israelites crossed safely over dry ground to the other side of the Sea, while their enemies drowned in the sea and died.Baptism by immersion destroys the Lord’s foes in one’s life whereas the person being baptized remains safe.
As you get immersed into the water and come up out of it,is like crossing through the Red Sea.Since you’re hemmed in from both sides by the walls of sea water,that is, you are in Christ,you ascend out of the water in safety.
In the course of baptism,all your enemies (problems, difficulties,evil spirits,fears,diseases,etc, coming from the evil one) won’t come out safely.Rather, they are destroyed marking an end to them in one’s life just like the Pharaoh’s armies were destroyed without remedy.For the water is not meant to harm you but to destroy the armies of the Enemy,which would cause tragedy or misfortune along your path.Thus the Bible says;
1 Peter 3:21;
“The like figure whereunto even baptism,doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
Why is baptism conducted in the name of Jesus Christ alone?The Scriptures say that while the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea,”All were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.”Our Moses of the new testament is now Jesus Christ,who draws us out of the spiritual Egypt and takes us to Canaan(heaven).He therefore commands each one of us to be baptized into him.The right form of baptism is that of immersion and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for it to be fruitful.(Read Acts 2:38,8:16,10:48 and 19:15).
If you’re not baptized yet,find a church where you will join other believers for fellowship.Seek baptism there.Make sure you go through the right kind of baptism.Do so as quickly as possible.Remember we live in the last days.Make things right with God before it is too late.
Baptism is free.One does have to go through any classes in oder to meet the requirements for them to be baptized.The Ethiopian Eunuch did not go through any class.As soon as he had believed,Philip baptized him.Just by believing,he had met all the requirements he needed to baptized.
God bless you.