"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 ..." Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
This was one of the last commands of Jesus, The Christ, as He spoke to His disciples after His resurrection, instructing them to go forth and preach, and teach others to obey The Word of God. He told them to baptize the new disciples in the name of God The Father, and God The Son, and God The Holy Spirit. This command, which is referred to as the great commission, was the ordinance of baptism.
When Jesus was baptized by John, the baptizer, in the Jordan river, He was immersed in the water. (Matthew 3:16 and Mark 1:10) Water baptism is an outward sign or demonstration of an inward conviction and commitment. It is an act of obedience and adherence to The Word of God. Baptism does not confer salvation upon one. (Mark 16:16) If you are baptized and do not believe, then you are a dry lost soul when you go into the water and you are a wet lost soul when you come our of the water. However, pretending to believe, just to go through the act of baptism may bring about one's damnation. (Mark 16:16) Baptism by itself does not save anyone, it is our belief in Christ which saves us. (John 3:16 and Romans 10:9) As believers, when we are baptized, we are being obedient to our Lord's command.
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