The real question, of course, is - "essential for what?" Certainly, baptism is not essential for salvation. The Bible makes it clear that only faith in Jesus Christ brings forgiveness of sins - see, for example, Ephesians 2:8,9.

Baptism is a witness to salvation, not a means of bringing it about.

In another sense, however, baptism is essential - for two reasons.

First, it is essential to be obedient to Our Lord’s command in Matthew 28:19,20.

Secondly, baptism is essential to proper discipleship. Our confession in baptism is that we are "counting ourselves to be dead to sin." It is our public resolve to live as those who are "alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:11).

• Baptism is an act of obedience to Christ and a commitment to live for God.