Articles > Weighing The Issues

Introduction
Believer’s baptism is a Christian ritual that dates back to the days prior to Jesus Christ.  Baptism was a custom used by some Jews as an initiation ritual into their particular teaching.  John the Baptist was a prophet who introduced Jesus Christ to the world.  He taught repentance and baptized those who responded to his message.  When Jesus came on the scene as a 30-year-old man, he was baptized by John in the river Jordan.  His baptism was unique, in that He did not need a baptism of repentance.  His baptism marked the beginning of a pattern for His followers.

Why should I be baptized?
Although there are several good reasons that ought to compel a follower of Christ to be baptized, the one that is most obvious is also simple to understand.  Jesus expects His followers to be baptized. 

After his resurrection and just before He ascended into heaven, Jesus gave some final instructions to His followers who would spread the good news of the Gospel and plant churches everywhere.  He said to them: “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” (Matthew 28:19-20).  That is precisely what we see them doing in the book of Acts. 

Like Baptism, Communion is a Christian ritual that was instituted by Jesus Christ and practiced by his followers from the very beginning.  Some refer to it as a sacrament. We generally refer to it as an ordinance. Communion is a corporate,  symbolic act of remembrance of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It involves the receiving of a piece of bread and a sip of wine (or grape juice). These elements represent the body and blood of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we worship and follow. By receiving both the bread and the "fruit of the vine", Christians are encouraged to enter more fully into the realization of Christ's suffering for them, and are strengthened by that act, together with the church.

How Important is it?

This question is the same as asking the question, how important is it to my marriage to tell my wife that I love her? It is the Christian's desire to fulfill the desires of the One Who loves us.  He is the One who said, Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me (Jn 14:21).

Looking at the question from a different angle, how significant is this practice?