The denominational world seems to say many things about baptism, except (unfortunately) what the Bible actually says about baptism. Some describe baptism as “the solemn and beautiful testimony of a believer showing forth his faith” and “a sign of fellowship and identification with the visible body of Christ.” However, the Bible never uses this terminology and never calls baptism a “testimony” or a “sign.”
If one only reads what the Bible teaches about baptism, he will find that it is the essential act (commanded by God) for a penitent believer to become a disciple of Christ (Matt. 28:18-20), to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5), to be saved from sins (Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:21), to obtain the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), to washed away sins (Acts 22:16), to enter into Christ (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27), to be added by the Lord to His church (Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Cor. 12:13). The plain purpose and results of God’s “one baptism” (Eph. 4:5) must be faithfully taught and faithfully practiced, without human modification.