Because baptism is an outward expression of an inward change, it is highly symbolic. A symbol is a visible picture or representation of another idea or event.
Baptism:
identifies the Believer with Christ’s death and resurrection. (Romans 6:4ff)
gives testimony that you have died to any old way of life and become alive to a new life through Christ, i.e. be “born again” (John 3:3, 1 Peter 1:23)
is a promise and a commitment to God and to all those witnessing the event that you are committing your life to Christ for His use and to His Kingdom for all eternity.
is a way of identifying with a local church and entering into a covenant-love relationship with a ‘body of Believers’. (Acts 2:41)