Water Baptism is a principal ordinance in the New Testament Church.It is "a symbol of the beginning of the Christian life."It is not ordinary and must never be perceived as such.Baptism is not optional for a redeemed child of God.The proper form of baptism in the New Testament is immersion.Immersion is not just a Baptist distinctive, but a Biblical injunction.Baptism is translated from the Greek word "baptizo." It means "to plunge, dip, or immerse."Some scriptural evidence of immersion include: Matt. 3:16; Mk. 1:5; Acts 8:36, 39; Some of the reasons for Water Baptism Include:1. It is a command - Matt. 28:19; Acts 2:38.Christ instructed His disciples to baptize every disciple they made in their course of fulfilling the Great Commission.Christ Himself had done this before the commencement of His ministry.His disciples were obedient to this instruction in their days.The present day church has also not deviated from that instruction.Baptism remains a command that every genuine follower of Christ should obey.Not to comply is tantamount to disobedience and this has grave implications.2. To become a part of Christ's body - 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27.Another reason for Baptism is that it makes you to be part of Christ’s body.Failure to be baptized implies that you are not part of His body.This also has serious implications.3. To make a Public Declaration of our faith in Jesus Christ - Acts 8:36-37; 9:18.Jesus denounced anyone who is ashamed of Him here on earth.He said He would be ashamed of such persons also in heaven.It is required after you have repented that you make a public declaration of that experience.4. To follow the example of Jesus Christ - V.13.This is the major reason why every believer should be Baptized.Christ had no reason to be baptized but he identified with us in our sins and submitted Himself for Baptism.Who then can be greater and higher than Jesus Christ as not to follow this example?The truth remains: If Jesus did it, you have no choice. 5.To do the Proper Thing - V.14-15.A major lesson we all must learn in life is the lesson of doing the proper thing.One way to show to God and the devil that you have repented is by doing the proper thing.So, if you are here and you claim to be born again and have not seen the need to be Baptized, you are not doing the proper thing.And it is not too late to do the proper thing. I encourage you under God to do the proper thing today.Submit yourself for Baptism.6. To Fulfill all Righteousness - V.15.Again, Christ did not need to be Baptized. Baptism is for sinners who have repented.Baptism is the outward expression of an inward experience with the King of glory.Christ was sinless and perfectly holy.There was no sin for Him to repent of, talk-less of being Baptised.Think of it, what could have made divinity submit to humanity in dirty Jordan river?It was the crucial commitment to righteousness.Righteousness has to do with justice.Righteousness has to do with justification.Our Lord Jesus Christ is so committed to righteousness such that He would not bend the rule for even Himself.If God did not bend the rule for the only Begotten Son, I can guarantee you that He won't do it for you.If Jesus Christ our Lord and Master did not jump the process but paid the necessary price, I can assure you that He won't give you exemption from this process.7. To Secure Supernatural Help - V.16-17.It became very clear to me as I studied our text that Christ submitted Himself to the ordinance of Baptism because of His need for Supernatural Help.Though Christ is perfectly God, He was also perfectly human.There was no way He would have been able to fulfil God's purpose on the earth without Supernatural Help.Jesus knew this and He did everything necessary to get it.He travelled many kilometres from Galilee to Jordan to be Baptized - V.13.He refused to be distr