In the long story of the Christian faith, there are lots of different ideas about how people are baptised. Is a little sprinkle of water enough? Or do you need the full dunking?

A lot of that misses the point. Baptism is a physical sign of the work of God in our lives.

Passing through the water echoes Israel's crossing of the Red Sea and Jordan. They move from spiritual wilderness into the promised land, marking rescue from the "dominion of darkness" into God's kingdom (Colossians 1:13).

Water passing over us is a picture of cleansing. Aaron and his sons were washed before they were made priests — baptism consecrates believers as a priesthood that communicates God to the world.

Going down into the water signifies dying and rising with Christ (Romans 6:3-4). His death and resurrection become ours.

John calls for those who are being baptised to repent(metanoia — turning from self-pleasing to God-pleasing life), confess (bringing brokenness into the light, ideally with trusted others), and produce fruit — a life that matches profession. But we need to get the order right! Ephesians 2:8-10 reminds us that salvation is by grace, not by works. Yet we are saved for good works — works that will wonderfully occupy all our lives.