The significance of baptism

Baptism is seen as a concrete expression of the truth about the whole church and its identity as the new Exodus people. It symbolizes leaving behind slavery to sin and embarking on a journey towards the promised inheritance of God's new heavens and new earth. Baptism is not solely about individual beliefs or religious interiorities but about marking out a community. Paul addresses the issue of people being baptized without truly understanding what it means, emphasizing the importance of living as the family of God. Baptism also relates to the death and resurrection of Jesus, as he himself referred to his death as a baptism. Overall, baptism serves as a reminder and a reaffirmation of the church's identity and how they are called to live as God's people.