Meaning and Importance of Baptism

Meaning of Baptism—Ceremony of Burying Sins
Baptism ceremony is performed when a person wants to become a Christian. They take off their sinful bodies and are born again into a new life through baptism. The original Greek word for baptism is Baptisma [βἀπτισμα], which is derived from Baptizo [βαπτίζω], meaning “to dip or to sink.” Baptism is conducted by submerging the whole body in water, which symbolizes the burial of our past sins.

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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.
Ro 6:3–4

Submerging the whole body in water is like being buried in a tomb. When Jesus died on the cross, He was buried and resurrected from the dead; likewise, we should be baptized to bury our sins in water and receive a new life.

Importance of Baptism—Jesus’ Command for Salvation
Baptism is important because Jesus commanded it and set an example for us. Not only did Jesus baptize people, but He also commanded His disciples to baptize all nations.

After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.
Jn 3:22

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit . . .”
Mt 28:19

Jesus would have neither baptized people nor given the command if it had nothing to do with salvation; Apostle Peter, whom Jesus directly taught, preached, “Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and receive the Holy Spirit,” and testified that baptism is a sign of salvation (Ac 2:38; 1 Pe 3:21).

Circumcision in the Old Testament & Baptism in the New Testament
In the Old Testament times, the Israelites underwent circumcision as a sign of becoming God’s people.

“You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you . . . Any uncircumcised male, who has not been circumcised in the flesh, will be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.”
Ge 17:11–14

However, in the New Testament times, the sign of becoming God’s people is through baptism. Circumcision in the Old Testament was changed to baptism in the New Testament.

In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
Col 2:11–12

The “circumcision done by Christ,” not by the hands of men, refers to baptism. God recognizes those who were baptized in the truth of the New Covenant as His people. Through baptism, we are forgiven of our sins, released from our sinful past, and given the opportunity to live according to God’s word (Ro 6:6). Therefore, whoever wants to walk the right path of faith must first receive baptism.

https://ahnsahnghong.com/en/teaching/baptism/