BAPTISM IS A BELIEVERS SYMBOLIC RESURRECTION FROM DEATH
Baptism is one of the vital six doctrines of Jesus for believers. Why? Baptism symbolizes the renunciation of the past sinful way of life by the burial of the old man in a watery grave. Then comes the emergence of a new spirit-led man living with Christ's mind and following in His footsteps, which happens to all true Christians.
Romans 6:3-4, "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (NKJV)
Paul explains that we were raised from the dead at baptism to become more like Jesus. Therefore this is one of the six major foundational doctrines of Christ.
Hebrews 6:1-2, "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of [ONE] repentance from dead works and of [TWO] faith toward God, 2 of the [THREE] doctrine of baptisms, [FOUR] of laying on of hands, [FIVE] of resurrection of the dead, and [SIX] of eternal judgment. "
The New Testament Bible places great importance upon this ceremony and the symbolism of rising from water baptism.
Romans 6:5-8, "For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him,"
1 Corinthians 12:13, "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free – and have all been made to drink into one Spirit."
All believers share in the baptism into the family of God and are thereby united with Jesus. The ceremony of water baptism is performed by immersion for the forgiveness of sins upon true repentance and acceptance of Christ's sacrifice. Then we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands.
Colossians 2:12-13, "Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,"
Colossians 3:1, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God."
Three fundamental reasons exist for why one should receive baptism. One is to follow the prescribed example of Christ. Two is to have our sins forgiven and three is to fulfill the requirements to receive the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 3:13-15, "Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, 'I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?' 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, 'Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.' Then he allowed Him."
After rising from the watery grave of baptism the repentant person then receives the Holy Spirit after the laying on of hands ceremony.
WHY IS THE LAYING ON OF HANDS ALSO A VITAL CEREMONY ?
This ceremony is performed by the ministry on special occasions such as receiving of God's Holy Spirit upon baptism, at ordination and for other special purposes. The laying on of hands is the act of one person in religious leadership putting his hands on another person for a blessing from God. It is accompanied by a specific prayer request. The prayer delineates the nature of the blessing being requested. Note this monumental historical event in church expansion using laying on of hands.
Acts 13:2-3, "As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, 'Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away."
This laying on of hands commissioned the first, and no doubt greatest evangelistic team in history to begin the break out of the gospel to the world outside of Judea. These evangelistic missions where the Apostle Paul was the main spokesperson, turned the world upside down. Note Acts 17:6. It also shows God loves and honors us so much that He works through fallible human instruments. Wow! The leader or minister does not convey anything of his own with the laying on of hands but only conveys what God confers using him.
Acts 6:6-7, "Whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith."
The ceremony is used for conveying and expanding church leadership , Deacons, which obviously made the church more effective. Again one must have the laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit.
Acts 8:15-17, "Who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. "
The laying on of hands for the anointing of the sick is used by the church as well.
James 5:14, "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."
Mark 16:17-18, "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
This ceremony can be used also for the blessings and safety of little children.
Matthew 19:13-14, "Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.'"
This ceremony can further be used to bless a marriage at the wedding ceremony. The minister can lay hands on the joined couples hands and pray for the success and blessing of that union. IT PUTS GOD INTO THAT MARRIAGE.
