Isn't it interesting that until the New Testament, the word Baptism or any other word associated with it is not stated? Not once in the Old Testament does it mention anything about being baptized to cleanse yourself or to publicly profess your faith. The water of the flood brought judgment on a world that was corrupt and full of violence. So, the water of baptism symbolizes Judgment that Jesus in His death took upon himself for all people of all times. (Menzies 112) My question is why is it so important now that we get baptized? What is so special about baptism that Jesus and the rest of the disciples commanded people to do this act? .
This issue is of very much importance to me because I have never willingly been baptized by water. I was baptized secretly by my uncle when I was about 6 months old. He is a firm believer that there is something significant about baptism, and especially baptism as an infant. But, just in the past year I have really started to do some research on the subject. How important is the action of being baptized? Why is it so important to be baptized? What are the different opinions of baptism? When did people start being baptized? Should I be baptized? Should everyone be baptized? And, the most important question of all, why did Jesus imperatively stress baptism. .
This question of baptism falls into the category of spiritual growth in Jesus. Baptism, in the Assemblies of God handbook is covered in chapter twenty-three. It talks less about water baptism, and more about baptism in the Holy Spirit, not to say that one is more important than another. Baptism in the Holy Spirit cannot really be compared to water baptism, and vise versa. They are two totally different issues and have two totally different purposes in Christianity. .
In the past, I have always been pressured into being baptized. I have never thought it was a bad thing or even that I did not want to be baptized for a certain reason.