The word “baptize” originally meant to submerge or dip. It was used to describe a ship sinking or a piece of cloth being dipped in dye. By extension, in the spiritual realm, it came to mean “identification with.” For example, the piece of dyed cloth became identified with the dye. Therefore, “baptism” doesn’t have any necessary relationship to water in the New Testament.

Spiritual baptism is an event brought about by the Holy Spirit at the time of regeneration (salvation). The Spirit places us in the body of Christ, and we become identified with His death, burial, and resurrection and all of the accompanying benefits (Rom. 6:3-7). If you are a believer in Christ, you have experienced the baptism of the Spirit (Rom. 8:9; 1 Cor. 12:13). 

Baptism, or identification with Christ, now saves us not only from the penalty of our sins but also from the power of sin in our daily lives. Because He died to sin, we also are dead to sin. That is, because Christ has paid the penalty of all man’s sin and has overcome the power of sin (i.e., death), we are no longer under obligation to pay that penalty or submit to sin’s power.

Water Baptism is a visual illustration of our spiritual baptism. As a person goes under the water, they are testifying to their identification with Christ’s death and burial. As he emerges from the water, he testifies to his identification with Christ’s victory over death and new life in the Spirit (Rom. 6:4-5). Baptism is also an opportunity for individuals to publicly proclaim their allegiance to Christ and identify themselves with other believers (the body of Christ). However, water baptism is not necessary for salvation (1 Cor. 1:17), as no works that we can perform add anything to the finished work of Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8-9; Heb. 10:10, 14). The only requirement placed upon men and women for salvation is to believe (John 3:16; Acts 10:43; 13:39; 16:31).