Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
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At one point in my early walk with the Lord, I had fallen into the habit of explaining to people that water baptism was a useless exercise, mainly because it was simply a waste of time. "It is time that could be spent on things that are more productive", I would say. "We could be singing songs to the Lord or visiting the sick instead of carrying out a water baptism ritual. The worst thing about water baptism is that it wastes our precious time of life on earth." But during a visit with the saints in Louisville, KY, I made that statement in Brother Delbert's living room, and in his deep baritone voice, he interrupted my comments, kindly but firmly. "There's more to it than that, John", he replied. Then he went on to explain the truth to me so as to bring me back from my theological tangent. His explanation went something like this:
"God's only begotten Son suffered and died to fulfill all the ceremonial works of the Law, to bring them to their intended end, including John's baptism. Jesus paid a terrible price to deliver us from the works of the Law, such as water baptism. The worst thing about continuing to perform that water baptism ritual is not that it wastes time but that it shows great disrespect to Jesus, who suffered so much to make the real baptism available."
How thankful I was then, and still am, for Brother Delbert's wisdom and love to correct my thinking so that I could order my words according to the will of God rather than being carried away by some vain idea that crept into my head. It dishonors the work and suffering of Jesus for us to continue performing dead ceremonies as if he never came at all. The "new and living way" that Jesus purchased for us with his own blood includes no ceremonies! Neither funeral ceremonies nor marriage ceremonies, nor ministerial ordination ceremonies, nor "communion" ceremonies, nor water baptism rituals, nor any such thing, has any place whatsoever in the kingdom of God and of Christ. Men who participate in any such religious rites are showing great disrespect for Jesus and his labor for us.
Stay filled with the holy Ghost, and you will not be inclined to participate in the vain religious ceremonies of Christianity. Symbolic ritual is not how we serve God in this New Covenant, and the holy Ghost knows it. Listen to what the Spirit is saying to your heart.