And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Mark 1:4-5

Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:10-11

            There are several reasons people get baptized today.

1.      Because Jesus got baptized.  Followers of Jesus do what Jesus did.

2.      It’s a symbol of forgiveness, of being “washed” of our sins.  God forgives us when we surrender to him.

3.      We show our desire to unite with God in a relationship, a family, by doing what others in the church have done.

4.      Jesus, before this, lived in obscurity, but at his baptism became public with his faith and identity.  Baptism is our platform to tell people who we are now.

5.      God approves—is well pleased—by our baptism so why wouldn’t we do it?