Table of ContentsIntroductionBackground, Historical Views, and Biblical SupportModern Views and Biblical SupportConclusionIntroduction Growing up in a Baptist church, baptism was concomitant with "becoming a Christian." If someone was saved, they were baptized quickly afterward. Otherwise, they were heavily questioned about the delay (which I don't think is very affectionate...we shouldn't force people to believe, otherwise their house is built too hastily, without a solid foundation or structure to hold it up, to so to speak. ) In a sense, the reason why they forgo baptism might indeed be questionable, i.e. wondering why they are so reluctant; Is it because they aren't really ready to let go of their old lives, or maybe they don't want their faith to be made public? Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Regardless, I do not believe that [physical] baptism is necessary to see the gates of heaven and happily 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 by works; otherwise grace is no longer grace (English Standard Version). » Thus, the ceremonial act of baptism is not required for one to obtain eternal life; it is practiced as an expression of faith and to make that faith known to others. Background, Historical Views, and Biblical Support The word used for baptism in the Bible, ßapt???, literally means "to plunge," but metaphorically it can also mean "to overwhelm" (as with the Holy Spirit.) According to the Dictionary biblical themes, baptism means "a washing with water, which symbolizes the cleansing of believers from the stain and dirt of sin by 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 “cleansing” of a new convert. This practice was to prevail until the reform brought by the Son of God. John the Baptist is a historical figure well known for being a great evangelical witness and participating 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.” bear witness to the light, that all may believe through him.” John testifies openly without fear of judgment. God sent John to gather individuals into a group of believers to begin building God's kingdom on earth. According to Christ, John receives this authority by being baptized by God himself (and not by man). This indicates that saving baptism is spiritual and not the act of being dipped 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 with a group or family distinct from the rest of society, despite their diverse origins. According to Ronald Cottle, “In the human body, which is essentially one, there are many members and they are differentiated by their functions. Thus, the one Body of Christ into which we have all been admitted by the one baptism of the Spirit is also composed of a variety of members differentiated by the diversity of their functions. » In Galatians 3:27 we read: “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God throughfaith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, heirs according to the promise. This would fulfill John's mission to bring individuals together into one unified family and be active 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 replenish deliverance from death, to demonstrate rebirth in Christ as a pure person, to express the gift of the Holy Spirit, to renounce Satan and a sinful life, and finally, to identify with Christ. A post-Reformation theologian, Huldrych Zwingli, continued this idea of ​​baptism as a symbol of Christian identity. .In particular, he emphasized the distinction between “inner” and “outer” baptism. Inward baptism is of the mind and spirit and is accomplished only by the Holy Spirit; it is an independent instance of physical baptism. External baptism is a sacrament: “an external sign by which men respond to what God has done… an initiatory sign which… commits us to Christ…”. Here he says that salvation has already been given; God has already accomplished this action, and water baptism is only one way of responding to this glorious gift. It is one of our many ways of showing others the alteration of our soul and spreading 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 symbol for bearing witness to man…, our confession…”. Modern Views and Biblical Support Modern theologians also show great interest. on this subject, and for good reason: it has been generally under-investigated. The Rev. Anthony R. Cross states that most of those identified with the Baptist denomination insist on this practice, but deny that it is a sacrament, that it is rather a command from God as something we must do (which I have seen in my church. ) Yet those who declare it as sacramental still practice it as if it is a ticket to heaven. He goes on to boldly declare: “Baptists have been strongest on the subjects and manner of baptism, but weakest on what baptism actually means. » We encourage this practice, but we do not have a solid definition of what exactly this practice is. Christiane Zimmermann studied the soteriology of baptism and salvation in the book of Titus, verses 3:4-6: “But when the kindness and lovingkindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works which we do in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he has poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior...” Here we see that this passage uses our practice of water baptism to simply paint a picture of how the true process of salvation through the Trinity works. Zimmermann says that it is through the “washing of renewal” of the Holy Spirit upon us as individuals that we are saved in a community of believers. It is spiritual baptism that saves. Another point made in Titus 3:4-6 is the emphasis that humans cannot take any action to save themselves. It is only by the grace of God that we receive eternal life. This is a recurring theme in the Bible. We see this in many other verses such as Ephesians 2:8-9: “…by grace you have been saved through faith. ...not your fault...so no one can brag. Be.