Baptism's urgency

In January 2006 I posted a writing on The "Urgency" of Baptism. Here is a brief re-appeal.

Baptism, a rite of immersion in water, is important, urgent and should not be unneccessarily delayed because:

• It is commanded [to both converts to proclaim (Acts 2:38; 10:48) and to the church to perform (Matt. 28:18-20)].
• It is the believer's first act of obedience (Acts 2:33-39; Acts 10:47-48; Matthew 10:32).
• It pictures the gospel and testifies of new life (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• It signifies a spiritual commitment, that we who are born again are now free to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4).