Through water baptism, believers publicly proclaim their testimony that they have been born again by the grace of God. Being immersed in water symbolizes the cleansing of our hearts and the washing away of our sin by the blood of Jesus (Acts 2:38). It is a wonderful picture of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. But water baptism is an outward indication of an inward change. Colossians 2:12 says, "Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead." Being baptized with water does not save us faith in the finished work of Christ saves us (Ephesians 2:8-9 Romans 10:9).
Water baptism was commanded by Jesus for all of His followers (Acts 1:8). One is done in water the other is accomplished in the Holy Spirit. Generally speaking, there are two types of baptism: a physical (water) baptism and a spiritual baptism. Baptism implies being "all in." It also implies that a change has taken place.
Ephesians 4:4-6 says, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called one Lord, one faith, one baptism one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." Since there are different "baptisms" referred to in the New Testament, it can be a bit confusing when we read about "one baptism." The word baptize always means “to submerge or immerse.” So, when baptism is discussed, it involves a person being totally submerged into something else.