Can you explain the purpose of water baptism?
I have heard lot but the only one that made sense to me was "it was good enough for Jesus"
Is there any other reason besides tradition?
What about infant baptism?
Joh 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
Joh 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
1Pe 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Act 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
We must be born of the water and Spirit.Jews,Gentiles,and Samaritans,were all baptized in Jesus' name.Everything we do in word or deed is in Jesus' name.Luke said baptism is to be preached in Jesus' name.No other name we are saved by but Jesus' name.Father,Son,and Holy Spirit,are not names,but titles,and it says name,who is Jesus' name.
God said in the Old Testament that He would reveal a new name to the Jews,It would the name of both God and the Son.Jesus said He came in the Father's name.The Son inherited the name of the Father.The Holy Spirit comes in the name of Jesus.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
We have to identify with the man Christ Jesus,by repenting of our sins,being baptized in water,and receiving the Holy Spirit,and we are a living sacrifice unto God.Jesus died,was buried,and rose from the dead,and we die to sin,bury those sins,and rise to newness of life,to identify with the man Christ Jesus,His death,burial,and resurrection,for we go through what He did,and we are a living sacrifice unto God.
Luk 23:39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
Luk 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Luk 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luk 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Baptism was bypassed for the thief on the cross,for he did not have the power to be baptized.Baptism can be bypassed in certain circumstances,if a person dies before being baptized,but meant to get it done,but could not get to it until a certain time,and perished before then,lack of knowledge if the Gospel is preached,and they accept Jesus as Lord and Savior,but did not come to the knowledge of baptism.In certain circumstances baptism can be bypassed.
But we have to identify with the man Christ Jesus,but some people have accepted Jesus,but could not get to baptism,for whatever reason,so they are alright.
Mat 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Heb 1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
Heb 1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Infants before the age of accountability do not have to be water baptized,for the first thing is to repent of sins,which they would not have a full meaning of it,and before the age of accountability are protected spiritually by angels,and angels are only sent to them who shall inherit salvation.A child before the age of accountability can never be possessed of a devil,for the wicked one can never touch them.