"We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (NIV)

What does this passage mean?  It means that we are to view baptism as a outward demonstration of an inward experience.  As we enter the waters of baptism, it is as if we are entering into the tomb and dying to our old self and our old ways of being.  When we are placed under the water in full emersion, it is as if the tomb is closed and the opld self is dead.  When we come up out of the water we are remembering the resurection of our Lord Jesus and are being spiritually born ourselves into a new way of life through Him.

Baptism is not necessary for salvation. It is a symbol for all see that we have experienced within us the death to our old way of being and the joy and celebration of being born again into His life!