Baptism is

Why is baptism important?
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:15-16

From the above verse we see that the Bible teaches that belief in the gospel and baptism are essential for salvation. We cannot be saved without them. Baptism is an act of obedience which identifies the person being baptized with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This act is extremely important as it is a demonstration of belief in the gospel and the scriptures tell us that it is necessary to salvation. Consider these verses:

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit (e.g. being given immortality at Christ’s return 1 Corinthians 15:42-50), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. John 3:5

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins… Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:38-41

When they (people of Samaria) believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 2:38-41

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: 1 Peter 3:21

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism… Ephesians 4:4-5

From the above verses then, we can clearly see the connection with believers of the gospel being baptized.

What does it mean to be baptized?
So why is baptism so important? The examples of baptism found in the Bible show that bap