It signifies the end of the old life and the start of the new life as a Christian believer.
It identifies with Christ鈥檚 death, burial and resurrection.
In his letter to the Romans, Paul wrote about baptism and used the symbolic image of death, burial and resurrectionThe rising of Christ from the dead, three days after the crucifixion.:
Don鈥檛 you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
鈥 Romans 6:3-4
Descending the baptistery steps into the water identifies with Christ鈥檚 death. The candidate is then totally immersed under the water. He or she has 鈥榙颈别诲鈥 to their former sinful way of life. Christ also died and was buried.
God raised Jesus to life on the third day. This is symbolised in believer鈥檚 baptism by the candidate coming up out of the water. He or she now has a new life with Christ.