How does Baptism express the beliefs of Christianity?

Answer 1

Some believe that water baptism (a full immersion in a tank or river or whatever) is a "public testimony of an inward working of God." The word "baptism" carries with it the idea of "identification." If I take piece of white cloth and "baptize" it in a pot full of red Rit fabric dye, it will come out red and can never be brought back to its original white color. In Christianity, when we believe the Gospel of the Grace of God (the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again) we are "baptized" into Him (and He into us). We are fully identified with His death, burial and resurrection. His death has become our death; His burial has become our burial; His resurrection has become our resurrection. It is a spiritual work and is referred to by the Apostle Paul as "baptism by the Spirit into the Body of Christ." This Spiritual baptism is separate and distinct from being baptized in water. While there are not necessarily any outward manifestations of this, there has been a change on the unseen spiritual level. This change can never be undone, just like our white cloth. For the rest of time and Eternity, we will only be seen by God as "in Christ." It is a permament change done for us, and all that was necessary for us was, as one once said, "to do the only thing you can do without doing a thing... believe in what another has done." That's Grace. Receiving what we do not deserve, having been fully paid for by another. Some believe that the act of going down under the waters of baptism represents our burial with the Lord Jesus Christ... that the coming up out of the water represents our resurrection with the Lord Jesus Christ. All this done as a "public testimony (or outward sign) of an inward work". As a Christian myself, I believe when we begin looking toward physical manifestations of spiritual works, we have begun to take our eyes... our focus... our attention from where the Lord Jesus Christ intended it to be... on him and him alone. That is part of the reason I see Scripture teaching that water baptism has "passed off the scene," so to speak.

Baptism, being fully identified with the Lord Jesus Christ, occurs at the moment one believes the gospel and is the "crux" (no pun intended) of the Christian faith.

Answer 2

In mainstream Christianity, it symbolizes the rebirth in Jesus Christ.

Answer 3

Baptism can represent many things. Death of the old self, being reborn as a believer, and being cleansed from sin are some basic symbolisms.