If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are ready to be baptized. Just like a bride and groom show others their love for one another by wearing wedding bands, your baptism is your opportunity to show others that you have accepted Christ and are now walking with him.
Once a person admits that they are a sinner and turns to Christ for salvation, the Bible tells us to proclaim this life change. Baptism is a public testimony for people who have become believers and put their trust in Christ alone to be their Savior. It is also a step of obedience as Christ commands us to be baptized in His name.
You do not have to be baptized to have Christ in your heart any more than you must exchange rings to be pronounced man and wife. But if the inner commitment to trust Christ alone for salvation has been made, then the outward symbol of Baptism should be as valued and as visible as the gold ring on a newlywed’s finger.

Baptism symbolizes what took place in your heart at the time of salvation:

• You accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
• You shared in his death and resurrection, illustrated through baptism by going under the water (dead to your old life), then rising again (new life).
• You were symbolically washed clean, and your sins were forgiven by his death on the cross.

Baptism is an act of obedience to Christ that follows an individual’s acceptance of salvation by God’s grace alone. Baptism isn’t a prerequisite for salvation; however, if an inner commitment to trust Christ alone for salvation has been made, then the outward symbol of that commitment—Baptism—should follow, as is modeled throughout the New Testament in the lives of those choosing to follow Christ.