Baptism should be a doctrine that unites all Christians, yet it has historically been a divisive issue. There are many different views on baptism, and some of these views are far from the plain teaching in Scripture. I wish people would put away their denominational handbooks and simply rely on the Bible to teach them the importance of baptism.

Even the baptism of John the baptizer was of great importance. John’s baptism had to do with the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4). How would anyone dare to say that the baptism of Jesus is any less important? (See Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16 to read how baptism in the name of Jesus is for the forgiveness of sins.)

Luke 7:30 says, “But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.” Could it be that those who refuse to submit to the baptism of Jesus have rejected God’s purpose for their lives as well?

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”—Mark 16:16.