People
went out to him [John the Baptist] from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole
region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan
River.
Matthew 3:5-6
“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
Then Jesus came from Galilee
to the Jordan to be baptized by John. Matthew 3:13
Here are the
reasons why we baptize.
·
Jesus was baptized so we follow him in obedience by being baptized.
·
The Greek word “baptizō” means fully immersed. It means we’re all in
with our faith and we’re saved from head to toe.
·
Baptism is a sign of forgiveness through confession. We are telling everyone that we
believe that we are washed of our sins.
·
Baptism is a symbol of our belief in resurrection. We “die” in the water and “rise up” to life.
·
Baptism is a public profession, giving glory to God and aligning you with a body
of believers.
·
Baptism was a conscious decision by a willing participant. The people “went out”
to find John and be baptized.