WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?

1. It illustrates Christ´s burial and resurrection. I Corinthians 15:3-4 "Christ died for our sins... He was buried... and He rose again." --

Colossians 2:12 
12 "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead."

2. It illustrates my new life as a Christian.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 
17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. "

Romans 6:4 
4 "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. "

Baptism doesn´t make you a believer - it shows that you already believe. Baptism does not "save" you, only your faith in Christ does that. Baptism is like a wedding ring - it´s the outward symbol of the commitment you make in your heart.

Ephesians 2:8-9 
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.