It seems strange to make people do something when they want to be a part of the church. Why require something that is so foreign to our culture's way of doing things? While baptism may be an "odd" practice to many outside observers. It's a powerful reminder to those of us that have placed our faith in Christ- we were once in grave danger, buried and without hope, until Christ rescued us. It is that story that we rehearse every time someone gets baptized.