The origin of the word baptism rests in the process of dipping or immersing for the purpose of cleansing. Similarly, the baptism of a believer is a symbol of one’s identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is an outward expression of an inward cleansing from sin that has already taken place through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The lowering of an individual into the water symbolizes the believer’s union with Christ in His death and burial. Similarly, raising that person from the water symbolizes the union with Christ in His resurrection and new life (see Romans 6:3-5 and Colossians 2:11-14).
When we turn from all other means of atoning for sins and in simple child-like faith trust Christ, we become God’s children. Baptism is a visual symbol of that personal experience.