One Way

My very very very very good friend Heather is getting baptized =D. It's a wonderful thing. Really it is. Whether people say you SHOULD or shouldn't, it's your choice. But if they're saying you shouldn't, there's a reason. Directed at Heather, quoting bible verses and saying everything isn't enough. There's a whole other aspect. That is your relationship with God. Don't think about how you act around your Christian friends or non-christian friends. How do you act, how do you think. Is it a way pleasing to God? Are your thoughts pure? Or not good? ex. Thinking about smacking your brother for ordering you around. or sneaking out of the house to get away from your parents/family.
Baptism is a great thing. You shouldn't be doing it for anybody, or to "show off". It's not something you use to brag about. It's okay to get recognition. It's between you and God. Reasons to get baptized:

• It's a command from God.
• Jesus did it, and follow Him.
• A public testimony to show that you are proud to be a Christian.

Now what is it to be a Christian? Overall to be saved, you need to believe that Jesus is the Lord, and that He died on the Cross for you. Also to repent your sins and accept that you are a sinner. But knowing that He died for us, we are compelled to do more. And that's why we should do good things for God.
Don't feel pressured to get baptized. Do it when you're ready. If you don't get baptized, it doesn't mean you won't get saved. I find it's most often that children that grow up in a church that either: 1. Get baptized only because of their parents, or 2. Stop going to church all together. It's because they've had a sheltered life mostly. Many people go through tragic events and turn to God after. It's His way of helping people. So if you are one, *cough cough*, make sure you use the experiences you've had. It should be something amazing to go through. Don't take it for granted. A lot of people want to go to church but cannot.
A lot of people also stop going to church all together. It's a pity... truly it is. Don't try to force them to come back. Make sure they have the chance to turn back. If God intends them to come back, He'll do something. But make sure you're ready if God calls you to be the one to help them come back.