Water baptism is a symbolic burial, by which the new Christian publicly declares they have died, and are now beginning a new life, in Christ. Baptize is the English form of a Greek word which means to immerse: to place something into something else. In Christian water baptism, the believer is put completely under water, then immediately raised out of the water. Water baptism is a statement of faith: my old life is behind me -- I am a new person, with a new life. Water baptism is a sign of repentance -- repentance means change -- a change so drastic that the old person is "buried." It does not make you acceptable to God. As a work of righteousness, trying to obtain a good standing with God, it is worthless. Water baptism is a way of giving testimony to what has happened inwardly, and a clear commitment to turn from the old life.