Baptism is symbolic of being dead, buried and resurrected along with Jesus. Through the Holy Baptism we become children of God and are admitted into the church of Christ. Baptism is one of the Christian sacraments. Baptism is the transliterated word for Greek ‘Baptismos’. There was ceremonial cleansing or washing among the Jewish people. Not only the priests but also their dresses as well as the sacrificial utensils were subjected to washing (Ex. 19:10-14; Lev. 8:6: Mk. 7:3,4: Heb. 9:10). In all these places the verbal root of the Greek word baptiso is used. The Baptism which John the Baptist gave to declare the advent of Jesus to prepare the way for him was Judaic in origin. Those people who repented and decided to live an ethical life took Baptism under John. Jesus also took Baptism under John not for repentance but to reveal that he is a complete man. So Jesus said, “Let it be so now: It is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness” (Jn. 3:15). Here the importance is to the implementation of Justice through observance. Jesus accepts Baptism as a symbol of entering into the announcement of the Messianic message.

1. Only a few people in the ark: The symbolism of Baptism (Gen. 7:11-24)

St. Peter records the escape of ‘a few’ in the ark during the flood at the time Noah as a symbol of baptism (1 Pet. 3:19-21). ‘A few’ that is, only eight persons were saved from the flood in the ark. Peter sees this as something in advance in the place of baptism. Baptism is not an ordinary bath that washes away the dirt on our body. We are saved through the resurrection of Jesus as a request for a good conscience towards God. St Paul thinks of the crossing of the Red Sea by the people of Israel as baptism through the sea (Ex. 14:15-31; 1 Cor. 10:1,2). The flood was sent to cleanse the earth. The crossing of the Red Sea gave a permanent freedom for the people of Israel from the slavery of Pharaoh. The same way Baptism symbolizes a new relationship and the admission of a person into the church which is the body of Christ.

2. Die and raise with Christ (Rom. 6:9-14)

We are baptized to unite with Jesus Christ to take participate in the death of Christ through baptism. Not only we are buried with Christ, but also walk in the newness of life of resurrection through the glory of the Father. The apostles give the idea regarding baptism as follows: Joined with Christ (Gal. 3:27), Joined with the Church - Joined with the Christian community (Acts 2:41; 1 Cor. 12:12, 13). As partners in the death and resurrection of Jesus (Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12), we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38) and pray to God for good conscience (1 Pet. 3:21; Titus 3:6,7).

3. A call for self denial (Jn. 12:20-26)

Christ calls for the wheat to fall on the ground and to give much fruit. “The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (Jn.12:25). This is the teaching of Jesus on this background. There is a call to follow Jesus carrying one’s own cross. Through baptism we have decided to follow the path of Jesus.