The highpoints on Baptism

Someone said to me "now that you're baptized you're really a Christian, right?" This made me want to share my views on baptism with my loyal readers.

Why I believe baptism should be by submersion:
John 3:23 "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized." *why would it matter how much water there was available if all they needed was a sprinkle?*
Matt 3:16-17 "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
Acts 8:38-39 "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing." *Again, it is talking about a depth of water*

Okay with all that said, here is WHY to get baptized:
Romans 6:3-6 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."
Col 2:12-14 "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. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;"
It is a burial, a connection to Christ, an acknowledgement...taking away or burying your old sinful nature. One should go in the water and come out marking a new level of spiritual maturity. We are raised to walk in the newness of life through our faith in Christ. It is making a pledge to Christ to try to be more like Him.
Baptism does not mean you are saved. Baptism is not required to be saved. Baptism comes after you have pledged that Christ is your Savior. Communion celebrates that Christ is your Savior and in a similar way, Baptism announces that He is your Lord (Your leader, who guides your path).
1 Cor 1:17 "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect."
**Paul says that he was sent to preach the gospel, the truth of Salvation. The way he says this makes it clear that Salvation and Baptism are seperate actions.**

So, just to make sure we're all on the same page…what’s the deal with Salvation?
Rom 10:9-11 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."
Acts 16:30-31 The jailer asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Belief and preaching of the Gospel always precedes Baptism in the Bible. See: Act 2:41, Acts 8:12-13, Acs 8:35-36, Acts 16:14-15, Acts 16:31-34, Acts 18:8.

So why get baptized if it is an outward sign of an inward act? First, it is commanded in the great commission. It's important enough that Jesus was baptized, and we should be striving to be more like Christ. That brings me to the second point, baptism is a CONNECTION.
Romans 6:4-6 "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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." It is a change separating your old sinful nature that was dead with sin from you. In this newness we are committing to strive to be closer to Christ Jesus and to let the Holy Sprit guide your ways.