02-Baptism: Its Importance

Before I look at the arguments put forward by infant baptisers in
support of their practice, I want to stress the importance of baptism
itself. Reader, I urge you not to dismiss this subject as of little or no
consequence. Do not wave it aside as trivial. Jesus described his
baptism as ‘fitting... to fulfil all righteousness’ (Matt. 3:15). He said it
was seemly, fitting, to carry out all God’s commands and ordinances.
How then can baptism be regarded as a matter indifferent or optional,
as some (including evangelicals; especially, of all people, Baptists!)
think it is? Christ’s words show the importance of the issue. I am not
interested in a sterile, hair-splitting quarrel over nothing, striving
‘about words to no profit’ (2 Tim. 2:14).