Baptism begins with the gospel and, without it, baptism is irrelevant. The people of the Bible had a system of law (10 commands) that couldn’t save them and that they couldn’t keep. Law showed up their faults. They had a system of animal sacrifice, by which God would forgive them their sins; words thoughts or actions.

Jesus Christ, God’s son, came to earth, lived a perfect life, a life that pleased God, but the people that he went to and for, put him to death. God allowed this to happen because it had always been His plan that Jesus should be a perfect sacrifice, dying once for all, forgiving all the sins of the world.
God raised Jesus from the dead. His death paid for our sin and his new life showed that we too could live a new life to please God.

Becoming a Christian begins with accepting/believing that Jesus died for your sin and continues as we determine to live a life, in relationship with Jesus, which pleases God, rather than being focused on pleasing yourself. Without Jesus’ sacrifice, baptism is pointless. Because of it, baptism is filled with significance;

Why be baptized?

1. Because it is Jesus’ command to obey. Matt 28:18-19 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
What right do we have to disobey?

2. Because it makes sense. If we want to live a life that pleases God, then this is what pleases God.
John 14:15 If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command.

3. Because followers of Jesus, follow Jesus, who was himself baptized.
MT 3:13-17 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

So Jesus’ followers, followed Jesus; Acts 2: 41, 8:38, 9:18, 16:15, 33

What does Baptism mean?
‘baptizo’ (Greek) = to dip, to immerse and comes from the dyeing trade.
Water had greater significance for people of the Bible than for us: precious commodity, stuff of life, having water= crops grow, no water=desert & death
Water was the Coca Cola, the ‘real thing’ of its day. Iving someone a drink of water was a sign of friendship and acceptance. Water in large quantities was significant in the history of Israel; flood 1Pet 3:20-21, Red sea crossing 1 Cor 10:2, Jordan crossing.

These times of coming through water represented significant change:

Rebellion-obedience, slavery-freedom, wilderness-promised land flowing with milk & honey.
Significance of baptism: Read Romans 6:1-14

• Baptism is a death to die v2-3 identifying with Jesus in his death, dying to our old life of sin.

• Baptism is rising to a new life v4-5,10-11, 13 a significant change.
Like changing to a new network, identifying with Jesus’ resurrection.
My old life is dead. My new life is one under new management -Jesus is Lord.

• Baptism signifies washing – a cleansing from sin
Baptism is participation in God’s promise in Scripture Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, "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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."

If you are a Christian, you should be baptized. If you have been baptized, live your life ‘new’, not a slave to sin but a child of promise, because you are able to please God and will be resurrected.