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Baptism
In plain words
A ceremony with water that Jesus commanded, marking someone as belonging to Him.
Baptism is when someone is washed with water, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). It is like a wedding ring: the ring is not the marriage, but it is a visible sign of a real bond. In baptism a person is publicly marked as belonging to Jesus, and the church welcomes them. Jesus Himself told His followers to do it.
Go further Growing
Paul says that in baptism we are joined to Jesus' death and resurrection, so that we can live a new life (Romans 6:3-4). It also pictures being washed clean and putting on Christ (Galatians 3:27). Baptism is not magic, and it is not just a nice tradition. It is a gift and a calling: you belong to Jesus, so live like it.
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Greek baptizo means to dip or immerse, and was also used for washing. Jewish ritual washings and John's baptism of repentance came before Christian baptism. Peter calls people to repent and be baptised (Acts 2:38). Christians differ on whether babies of believing parents should be baptised or only those who confess faith themselves, and on whether to immerse, pour or sprinkle, so talk it through with your local church.
My verses
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized 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 walk in newness of life.
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.