So Why do people get dunked in water at church?

People get baptized for several deeply spiritual and personal reasons, deeply rooted in Christian beliefs and teachings. Baptism is seen as an essential step in the journey of faith for many, symbolizing various significant spiritual truths and commitments. Here are the primary reasons why people choose to get baptized:

1. Obedience to Jesus’ Command: One of the most fundamental reasons for baptism is obedience to the instructions of Jesus. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands His disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Baptism, therefore, is a direct response to this command, signifying a believer’s willingness to follow Jesus’ teachings.
2. Public Declaration of Faith: Baptism serves as a public declaration of one’s faith in Jesus Christ and commitment to follow Him. It’s an outward expression of an inward change, symbolizing the believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Through baptism, individuals publicly acknowledge their belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
3. Symbol of Cleansing from Sin: Baptism symbolizes the washing away of sins. Acts 22:16, for example, links baptism with the washing away of sins, calling on believers to be baptized and cleansed. This symbolic act represents the cleansing and forgiveness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
4. Entry into the Christian Community: Baptism also symbolizes entry into the Christian community, the body of Christ. It is an initiation rite that marks the believer’s formal inclusion into the church. Through baptism, individuals become part of a larger family of believers, committed to supporting and encouraging one another in faith.
5. Identification with Christ’s Death and Resurrection: Romans 6:3-4 speaks of being baptized into Christ’s death and raised to live a new life. This deeply symbolic act represents dying to the old, sinful way of life and rising to a new life in Christ. Baptism symbolizes the believer’s union with Christ in His death and resurrection, embodying the promise of eternal life.
6. Act of Repentance and Receiving the Holy Spirit: Baptism is associated with repentance and the reception of the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2:38, Peter links baptism with repentance and the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is seen as a step of turning away from sin and being empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life that honors God.

Baptism is a significant spiritual milestone for believers, marked by deep personal and communal meaning. It’s a multifaceted act of faith that encompasses obedience, declaration, cleansing, community, identification with Christ, and a commitment to a new way of life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

The Importance of Baptism” is a fundamental topic within Christianity, symbolizing a believer’s faith in and commitment to Jesus Christ. Baptism represents various significant spiritual realities in the Christian faith, including cleansing from sin, dying and rising with Christ, and incorporation into the body of Christ, which is the church.

Here are five key Bible verses that highlight the importance of baptism and its significance in the believer’s life:

1. Matthew 28:19-20 – “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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
2. Romans 6:3-4 – “Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
3. Acts 2:38 – “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.'”
4. Galatians 3:27 – “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
5. 1 Peter 3:21 – “And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It is the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

These verses underscore baptism’s role as a public declaration of faith, a symbolic act of washing away sin, and an entry into the Christian community. It’s not merely a tradition or ritual but a deeply spiritual practice ordained by Christ Himself for His followers.

Baptism marks the beginning of a believer’s journey in faith, signifying death to the old life of sin and rebirth into a new life in Christ. It’s a powerful act of obedience, demonstrating a believer’s commitment to follow Jesus and an outward sign of inward grace. Through baptism, believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, promising them a share in His victory over sin and death and incorporation into His body, the church.