It makes people disciples of Christ and signals a commitment to live for him in the power of the Spirit. This brings out the meaning of baptism as a moral act, as commitment to discipleship. In baptism the decision is registered to submit to the way of Jesus Christ. There does not seem to have been a long period of instruction before baptism - rather, baptism came first and led to teaching and discipling. After being baptized, then, we are expected and enabled to walk in the new path.
Baptism marks the beginning of a new form of existence.
Baptism not only declares that guilt has been removed but also speaks of our being released from the power of sin and death. The Christian life is a baptized life, the outworking of the redemption achieved in Christ. From that point we carry through the death and resurrection of Jesus in our lives. We have died, and our life is hid with Christ in God. Therefore we put to death what is earthly in us, put away foul practices and put on compassion and kindness.