It is a symbol of Christ’s burial and resurrection.

 

“Christ died for our sins…he was buried…and he rose again.” (1 Corinthians 15:3, 4)

 

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It is a symbol of your union with Christ.

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“For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were also raised with Christ.”
(Colossians 2:12)

 

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It is a symbol of your new life in Christ.

 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:4)

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To follow Christ’s example.

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“At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.” (Mark 1:9)

 

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Jesus commanded it.

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Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28:19)

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As a public profession of your faith in Christ.

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“…and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed
and were baptized.” (Acts 18:8) “Everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.”
(Matthew 10:32)

Like Jesus was baptized—by immersion.

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“As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water…” (Matthew 3:16)

 

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Every baptism in the Bible was by immersion— being immersed under water.

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“…then Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water…” (Acts 8:38, 39)

 

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The word “baptize" literally means “to immerse.”

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The Greek word “baptizo” means to “immerse, submerge,
or dip” under water.

 

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Baptism by immersion is the best way to picture Jesus’ burial and resurrection.