IndexIntroductionContext, Historical Views, and Biblical SupportModern Views and Biblical SupportConclusionIntroductionGrowing up in a Baptist church, baptism was concomitant with "becoming Christian." If someone was saved, they were baptized soon after. If not, they were heavily questioned about the delay (which I don't think is very loving... we shouldn't push people into faith, otherwise their house is built too quickly without a solid foundation and structures to maintain it, so to speak. ) In a sense, why they forgo baptism might actually be questionable, i.e., question why they are so reluctant; Is it because they are not really ready to give up their old life, or perhaps they don't want their faith to be publicized? Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In any case, I do not believe that [physical] baptism is necessary to see the gates of heaven and blissfully worship Christ for all eternity after death. The New Testament explains that salvation is a gift from God, given by God alone…no work or action we do will make a difference in our salvation, we are not that powerful. Romans 11:6, for example, states, “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace (English Standard Version).” Therefore, the ceremonial act of baptism is not required for eternal life to be granted; it is practiced as an expression of faith and to make that faith known to others. Context, Historical Views, and Biblical Support The word used for baptism in the Bible, ßapt???, literally means "to dip into," but metaphorically, it can also mean "to overwhelm" (as with the Holy Spirit). According to the Dictionary of Biblical Themes, baptism means “A washing with water, symbolizing the cleansing of believers from the stain and filth of sin through the grace of God.” Jesus Christ submitted to baptism as an example to believers." The Jewish people participated in this literal baptism through “proselyte” baptism, which was the “purification” of a new convert. This practice will be imposed until the reform brought by the Son of God. John the Baptist is a historical figure well known for having been a great evangelical witness and for having taken part in the practice of baptism. In fact, John 1:6-7 specifically tells us that he is a “man sent from God…a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all may believe through him.” John testifies openly without fear of judgment. God sent John to gather people into a group of believers, to begin building the kingdom of God on earth. According to Christ, John is given this authority by being baptized by God himself (not by man). This is indicative that saving baptism is spiritual, not the act of being drenched or sprinkled. John Henry Paul Reumann, author of Variety and Unity in the New Testament, emphasizes the idea of ​​“variety in unity and unity in variety.” The physical baptism of believers publicly demonstrates their identification as a group or family separate from the rest of society, despite their different backgrounds. According to Ronald Cottle “in the human body, which is essentially one, there are many members and these differ in their functions. Therefore the one Body of Christ, into which we have all been admitted through the one baptism of the Spirit, also consists of a variety of members differentiated by the diversity of their functions. they are all children of God, through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor freeman,there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise." This would have fulfilled John's mission to gather people into one unified family and be affective in the world for God. In the early church, the theologian Tertullian gave six reasons why baptism is an important practice: to show forgiveness of sins, to evoke deliverance from death, demonstrate rebirth in Christ as a pure person, to express the gift of the Holy Spirit, to renounce Satan and a sinful life, and, ultimately, to identify with Christ. A post-Reformation theologian, Huldrych Zwingli, further pursued this idea of ​​baptism as a symbol of Christian identity. In particular, he emphasized the distinction between “internal” and “external” baptism. Internal baptism is of the mind and spirit and is performed only by the Holy Spirit; it is an instance independent of physical baptism. External baptism is a sacrament: “an external sign with which people respond to what God has done… an initiatory sign that… commits us to Christ…”. Here he is saying that salvation has already been given; God has already done the deed, and water baptism is just one way we respond to this glorious gift. It is one of our many ways to show others the alteration of our soul and to spread the joy that comes from it. John Calvin gave two reasons for baptism: to show our faith to God and to demonstrate our faith to man, that is, "a type to bear witness to man..., our confession...". Modern Views and Biblical SupportModern theologians are also showing great interest in this topic, and for good reason: it has been little studied overall. The Rev. Anthony R. Cross states that most who identify with the Baptist denomination insist on carrying out the practice, but deny that it is a sacrament, which is instead commanded by God as something we must do (which I have seen in my church. ) Yet, those who declare it sacramental continue to practice it as if it were the ticket to heaven. He goes on to boldly state that “Baptists have been the strongest on the issues and methods of baptism, but the weakest on what baptism really means.” We encourage the practice, but we don't have a solid definition of exactly what that practice is. Christiane Zimmermann investigated the soteriology of baptism and salvation in the book of Titus, verses 3:4-6, "But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not by righteous works done by us , but according to his mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior….” We see here that this passage uses our practice of water baptism to simply paint the picture of how the true process of salvation works through the Trinity Zimmermann says it is through the “bath of renewal” of the Holy Spirit upon us as individuals that we are saved and become a community of believers. It is spiritual baptism that saves. Another point made in Titus 3:4-6 is the emphasis that there is no action that humans can take to save themselves IS It is only by the grace of God that we are given eternal life. This is a recurring theme in the Bible, such as Ephesians 2:8-9. not by your doing...so that no one can boast." Being baptized can be an important symbol of testimony, but it is certainly nothing that can hold anyone back. Galatians 2:21 tells us that if there were works for us to do beyond.