How important is baptism?

And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" 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. – Matthew 3v14-15

Baptism is one of those hard things to deal with. We know that it is not required for salvation. In fact we know that it plays no part in our salvation. We know that it symbolic of what has happened in our lives.

But we also know that over and over again in the New Testament believers are saved and then baptised. Baptism is a part of the Great Commission. We know that Christians are supposed to be baptised, and yet, many choose not to do so.

So how important is it? Is it really that big of a deal?

Well, it was big enough of a deal that it is the first thing we see Jesus do when His ministry goes public. Before He did anything else He submitted to baptism. When John protested that he was not worthy to baptise Jesus the response was clear, ‘Permit it to be so now, fir it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then John baptised Jesus.

I don’t know all that Jesus’ words entail, but I do know that even Jesus Himself was baptised before He began His earthly service. I also know that it had nothing to do with Jesus being saved.

Surely, if it was important enough for Jesus to submit to it ought to be important to His followers as well.