So what is baptism? Baptism comes from the Greek word baptizo which means to immerse. Jesus commanded to go to all the nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
When someone is baptized they are symbolizing the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. That person is saying I follow Jesus and I believe he is the son of God. That person is saying I will serve Jesus. The Bible says angels sing when one is Baptized. The heavens open.
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.””
Luke 15:10 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/luk.15.10.NIV
Baptism is not what saves you, Jesus does! But refusing baptism says something powerful about the state of your relationship with Jesus.
Romans 6:3-7 says, “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Reverting back to Old Testament scripture, we read and look at Sodom and Gomorrah when God rained burning sulfur on the cities and destroyed them. The Lord baptized with fire and removed all sin with fire. I find this to be parallel with (Matthew 3:11). God presenting himself from the skies once again trying to get the people’s attention, saying look at what you are doing. These people were deep in sin separating themselves from God. God was losing fellowship with his supreme creation and was angry.
“Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous”
Genesis 18:20 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/gen.18.20.NIV
“Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens.”
Genesis 19:24 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/gen.19.24.NIV
We can take another look at baptism through the flood. He baptized the earth and washed all sin from it once again. Do you see a pattern here like I do? Sin separates. God reconciles mankind unto himself. God found one righteous man and his family and spared them with the ark. Many don’t believe any of this happened. I do because of the evidence that has been found on Mt. Ararat, this was the place that the ark landed as soon as the flood waters receded. Petrified wood of the actual ark and where it landed are found there. If that isn’t evidence enough for conviction, then people are just being stubborn and hardheaded and just don’t want to believe. Just like people don’t want to believe that it didn’t rain sulfur on the two cities. Large amounts of sulfur are still in the ground over the cities even today.
These events were Gods attempt to reach a non-repentant people.
Now we can look at the same God with the New Testament. Along came John.
“Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.””
https://bible.com/bible/111/act.19.4.NIV
“So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied.”
https://bible.com/bible/111/act,19.3.NIV
Evidently John had gone all over the place baptizing people for repentance. This repentance just means turning from sin. It wasn’t for the remission of sin, because John didn’t have that power and John knew it. John wanted to make it clear that the people didn’t look toward him for salvation. He was merely being a servant of the Lord and bringing people on the right path to salvation, through baptism of repentance.
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
“Matthew 3:11″ NIVhttps://bible.com/bible/111/mat.3.11.NIV
Jesus himself was baptized and he never sinned. People ask me “why was Jesus baptized if it isn’t a salvation issue?” IT IS A SALVATION ISSUE or Jesus would not have done it. If we refuse to follow Jesus in baptism, then we are refusing him as savior and salvation isn’t attainable at that point. Everything Jesus did laid the ground for the Church, for the people, to save mankind of our sinful nature and condition.
“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 alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.””
Matthew 3:13-17 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.3.13-17.NIV
Jesus said it was proper for him to do this, so that gives a perfect explanation of what we are to do!!
Who is acceptable for baptism? The competent, those who know and understand their sinful nature, who have heard the gospel and believe the gospel and repent of sin, and then are baptized so that they shall be saved.
May God bless you,
In him
Christian discussion 
Modern theology says we can be saved without being baptized, Jesus was baptized and he is perfect, so by grace through faith, and obedience which means following Jesus and being baptized for remission of sin, because without remission of sin, salvation can’t take place.
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