Water baptism identifies with Jesus Christ by more than a symbol. In ancient times, the wealthy man came to market where he would purchase grain, cloth and even slaves. As he watched and directed from a high place, his agents would move throughout the market place and receive his instructions to bid and purchase those he desired. When they were purchased, the agent would mark the redeemed with the name of the master, for later retrievel. His sign upon the item or person indicated that this person, although in the market place, belonged to the redeemer, and that any attempt to disturb or steal away with that property would be answerable to the new owner.
Christians have been redeemed with the wonderful price of the blood of Jesus Christ. "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Jesus; as a lamb without blemish and without spot:" (1 Peter 1:18-19).
When one is baptized in the name of Jesus they are removed from the possession of sin, and the name of the purchaser is placed on their life. Some say that baptism is merely a sign. Clearly it is a sign, but it cannot be trivialized. In the earlier, lessor covenant of Abraham, that enlarged into Israel's covenant with God, all of the household were required to be circumcised.
"This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised." (Gen 17:10)
To obtain and possess the covenant required partaking in the sign of the covenant. It was not a trivial sign in any way, for God stressed the importance of the sign by stipulating that whoever did not have this sign, would be excluded from identification in the covenant.
"And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant." (Gen 17:14)
To say he was "cut off" is a euphemism describing death, the penalty for a covenant breaker where the covenant obtains life.
The Bible declares that water baptism in the name of Jesus is actually "the circumcision made without hands" (Col 2:11). This same passage declares this "circumcision" (ie joining into the covenant) as the means:
"In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, and in putting off the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, Buried with Him in baptsim, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God..." (Col 2:11-12)
If we believe the Scripture, that the circumcision is the means of "putting off the body of sins" then we begin to understand why this "sign" is not trivial. Although it is Jesus' sacrifice on Calvary's cross which supplied sufficient payment for the debt of our sins, purchasing our lives by His own blood, we do not receive the benefit, and cannot be regarded as purchased, until we receive the sign of circumcision made without hands.
Thus, we understand the massive response adding over 3,000 people to the Church on the day of Pentecost after Peter answered their desperate question, "What shall we do?", with "Repent. and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).
The New Covenant is a spiritual covenant, superior to and comprehending the flesh. The flesh that was cut was Jesus' instead of ours. No mark or brand is placed on converts physically. However, the saints that come before God in Rev 14 & 22 are said to have a name in their foreheads. The name of Jesus Christ marks that person who is "buried with Him in baptism", both by public confession and in the spiritual realm.
Why does water baptism cause such contoversy?
Throughout the centuries since the birth of the Church, there has been controversy concerning water baptism more than any other issue. Perhaps this is because it has always been evident from the Scriptures, that the doorway into the Kingdom of God is depicted as baptism and also as the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, for He said "I am the door" (John 10:7,9), "I am the way..." and, "No man comes to the Father but by Me" (John 14:16).
At the time of the reformation, groups arose called "Anabaptists". While the governments of Europe fairly quickly came to terms with non-Roman Protestantism, the Anabaptists, being the first to immerse adults in water baptism during the reformation era, suffered severe persecution and defamation from all sides. The state churches killed these "heretics" by drowning them as if to say, "if it is water you want, water you will get". Earlier, we find record of "Christianized" groups said to be herectical, accused by the state churches of much immorality and even witchcraft, but upon investigation, we find that they were persecuted mainly because they were baptized differetly than the state church.
The gospels and epistles bring water baptism a place of focus that is hard to understand for those who promote the false idea of "believe only". That is, baptism figures prominently both in the accounts of the gospels, and after the Spirit began to be outpoured, the Apostles continued to baptize, now highlighting the name of Jesus.
Most importantly, by pointing to both the water baptism and Jesus Christ as the entry into the Kingdom of God, baptism can be understood to identify a person with Jesus Christ. All religious arguments pale compared to this matter. The Scriptures leave little doubt: If a person is not identified with the Savior and Lord, then he is not and cannot be saved.
Thus, all contenders against Divine Truth concerning salvation will attack or twist the doctrine pertaining to water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. But all who preach and believe Truth will seek to reassert the Apostolic doctrine pertaining to water baptism.
If you have heard the precious gospel of Jesus Christ and are seeking the Lord, if you have repented of your sins, and believe that Jesus is the Mighty God and Savior, you are invited to be baptized in Jesus' name for the remission of sins. If you have received the Holy Ghost baptism as evidenced by speaking in tongues, you are COMMANDED to be baptized in Jesus' name for remission of sins (Acts 10:48).