The import of baptism

As many of you know, my daughter Katelyn was baptized into Christ this past Sunday, becoming the newest member of the Prairie Green Church.    I took the occasion to preach on baptism, and mentioned that some of our friends in the broader fundamental and evangelical world think that churches of Christ place too much emphasis on baptism.  I tried to show why–scripturally–that was not the case.  I thought it might be helpful, though, to lay out several of the scriptures on baptism in the post, without comment, so that you, the reader, might really consider what it is really all about:

“Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’”--John 3:5

“And Peter said to them, ‘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.’”--Acts 2:38

 “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”--Acts 22:16

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”--Romans 6:3, 4

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”--Galatians 3:27

 “In [Christ] also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.”--Colossians 2:11, 12

“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.”--I Peter 3:21, 22

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”--Matthew 28:18-20

As the apostle Paul said in a different context, “Brethren, think on these things!”