"Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4).

Water baptism is commanded of all who want to be saved from their sins by Jesus (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:37-38; 22:16; 1 Pet. 3:21). Many have distorted the Biblical purposes of baptism, but the Scriptures continue to teach us the truth. Sinners are baptized into three things according to this passage. First, one is baptized "into Christ Jesus" (v. 3). Baptism is an action of faith that brings one into a saved relationship with Christ. Clearly, one is outside of Christ until he is "baptized into Christ." Second, one is baptized "into His death" (v. 3). The benefit of Christ's death is obtained when one is baptized "into His death." That is when Christ "washed us from our sins in His own blood" (Rev. 1:5). Third, one is baptized "into death" (v. 4). When baptized, sin's death no longer claims the sinner. He or she is raised from the death of sin by the power of God to newness of life in Christ (Col. 2:12). These are among the reasons water baptism is essential for our salvation in Christ.