Why Be Baptized in Water? - John R Schroeder - November 1973

John R Schroeder

SUCH an ancient ritual as water baptism seems passé in the Western world. Today's sophisticated brands of society religions no longer require baptismal rites - especially those entailing total immersion in water. Most people dismiss water baptism as an antiquated ceremony to be relegated to a primitive, medieval church. But can we afford to cashier this biblical custom without a hearing? The purpose of this article is to briefly examine the scriptural revelation's teaching - beginning with the man who instituted New Testament baptismal ceremonies. John the Baptist John the Baptist prepared the way for the first corning of Jesus Christ (John 1:23; Luke 1:17). But today this rugged and rustic individual would probably be looked upon as a prime candidate for the proverbial funny farm. His contemporaries accused him of being demon possessed because of his unconventional behavior. - Information Supplied By: Herbert W Armstrong Library