Why baptism?

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" They replied, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Then he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They answered, "Into John's baptism." Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied-- altogether there were about twelve of them.

Baptism is all about the Holy Spirit - and most people don't even know it! (as this passage from Acts shows)
Sometimes it feels that baptism is an act of entering a church and becoming a member. Sometimes people think that baptism is a necessary precursor to being saved.
Sometimes it is seen as a promise to be a good parent.
Sometimes baptism is thought to be an expression of mercy to children and newborns.

I think that baptism is way to claim the power of the Holy Spirit in one's life. Living as a disciple of Jesus Christ connects us to God and being connected to God affects our life. God gives us the teaching and example of Jesus. God created all that exists including our own lives. God also gives us the Holy Spirit as our companion and comforter to be with us in our day to day to life.

In more dramatic moments in scripture, the Holy Spirit inspires some wild behavior, e.g. in Corinth they spoke in tongues and prophesied. But wild behavior doesn't make someone a Christian. The power of the Holy Spirit does.

I've witnessed that power many times in my life: in preaching, in prayer, through others' bold witness, and in miracles of God's hope coming to life. Baptism is a special ritual and remembrance that the power of the Holy Spirit is God's gift. We need to feel God's presence through the Spirit.