However, people who have been forgiven by God will want to try and please him, and so they try to live accordingly. Baptism represents a new start. Baptism symbolises the washing away of sin. This is another way of speaking of God's forgiveness. Baptism symbolises the death and resurrection of Christ which Christian believers share in.
Baptism symbolises formally becoming a member of the church.
Most Christian churches regard baptism as a condition of membership, but this aspect of baptism is not found explicitly in the Bible. Baptism is really only meaningful where there is a genuine decision and desire to follow Jesus Christ. It is a commitment to following and serving him for the whole of our lives. The service itself does not 'turn someone into a Christian'. It is only a symbol in the same way that an engagement ring symbolises engagement.