Significance of baptism

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The NT uses a variety of images to explain the meaning of baptism, such as dying and rising with Christ, sharing in his death and being cleansed from sin.

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Baptize, Baptism. The Greek root-word baptizein means to plunge, immerse, sink; hence to wash; to be immersed, overwhelmed (in trouble). From Jewish rules of purification concerning ritual uncleanness the word gained a technical religious connotation implying “purification” from all that might exclude from God’s presence.

What is Baptism to the followers of Jesus?

Baptism is a symbol of the death of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ described his death as a baptism or a flood overwhelming him.
Luke 12:50 ESV
I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!
Luke 12:50
Mark 10:38–39 ESV
Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized,
Mark 10:38-39
See also ; ; ;

Baptism is a symbol of the burial of Jesus Christ

Immersion in water symbolises how the old sinful life is buried with Christ.
Romans 6:3–4 ESV
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:3-4

Dying to sin and sharing Jesus Christ’s sufferings, symbolised by baptism, is a lifelong process:

Romans 8:13 ESV
For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
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Colossians 3:5 ESV
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Baptism is a symbol of being saved from the flood

The flood/baptism symbolize both judgment (the death of sinners and the death of Jesus Christ) and salvation (those in the ark and those in Christ passing safely through judgment).
1 Peter 3:21 ESV
Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
1 Peter
Genesis 7:6–7 ESV
Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came upon the earth. And Noah and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him went into the ark to escape the waters of the flood.
Genesis 7

Baptism is the gospel equivalent of circumcision

The “circumcision in Christ” may refer either to his death on the cross or to baptism.
Colossians 2:11–12 ESV
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Colossians 2:11–12 ESV
In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.
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colossians 2:
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Baptism recalls the exodus

In and through the exodus experience Israel was united with and obedient to Moses, as Jesus Christ’s people are to him.
1 Corinthians 10:1–2 ESV
For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,
1 corinthians
Exodus 14:19–24 ESV
Then the angel of God who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night without one coming near the other all night. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the people of Israel went into the midst of the sea on dry ground, the waters being a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. The Egyptians pursued and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. And in the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and of cloud looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic,
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Baptism symbolises washing from sin

Baptism is an outward sign of cleansing from sin and from a defiled life and conscience.
Acts 22:16 ESV
And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
1 Peter 3:21 ESV
Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
1 Corinthians 6:11 ESV
And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:11
Titus 3:5 ESV
he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,
See also ; ;

Baptism is a symbol of putting on Christ

Baptism is seen as putting on Christ, as one might put on a coat or garment, and thus be “clothed with Christ”.
Galatians 3:27 ESV
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Galatians

Baptism as a Symbol of Unity

Ephesians 4:5 ESV
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
1 Corinthians 12:13 ESV
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:13
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