Baptism

Baptism is an outward physical expression of a spiritual event that takes place inside of new believers.  It simply is a action--a picture of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.  Just as Jesus died, was buried, and arose on the third day, so to are we who were spiritually dead, are symbolically buried in water, and symbolically raised to new life in Jesus.

"For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives."

- Romans 6:4 NLT