Baptism is an initial step of obedience for a new Christian.

 

The word baptize refers to the act of dipping a person in water as a symbol of commitment to Christianity. It is usually done during a church service, with a pastor or other trusted spiritual leader helping the person out of the water.

 

The first public act in the ministry of Jesus was his baptism by John the baptist in the river Jordan. The New Testament teaches that baptism is an outward act portraying an inward change. It is a public confession and a testimony of what has already taken place in your heart. Baptism is a burial and resurrection. You are buried with Christ in the likeness of his death, and raised with him in the likeness of his resurrection. Not only does baptism picture the burial and the resurrection of Christ, it also pictures the burial of the old sinful life and the resurrection of a new life in Christ. Baptism in the Bible always follows repentance and belief in the name of Jesus Christ. The Bible says: "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."