Those who are baptized are following Jesus’ example and obeying His command.

• “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” —Matthew 3:16–17
• “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.’” —Matthew 28:18–20

Water baptism, as instituted in the New Testament, is the means by which a believer is united with Christ (Galatians 3:27,28).  It is more than a mere ritual or ceremony.  In the New Testament, it is never mentioned as an act alone.  Rather, its meaning always includes the entire redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12; 2:38-41).

Baptize means to “dip or immerse.”  To be water-baptized, you must be completely submerged or immersed in water.

Jesus and his disciples believed water baptism wasn't optional.

• Jesus commanded it for all believers (Mark 16:16)
• Jesus Himself was baptized (Matthew 3:13-17)
• Peter commanded it (Acts 10:47, 48)
• Paul baptized believers (Acts 19:1-5)

In water baptism, a definite inward work occurs within the heart of the believer.  The Holy Spirit performs a spiritual operation known as circumcision.  

A: Circumcision in the Old Testament was a command (Genesis 17:10).  It was a foreshadowing of the circumcision of the heart.
1.Sign and seal of covenant relationship with God and Abraham (Genesis 17:11)
2. Marked the Israelites as God’s chosen people and set them apart as His personal property (Genesis 17:13)
3. Their relationship was maintained with God through their obedience to His command of circumcision.
4. Circumcision, not only of their foreskin but also of their hearts (Deuteronomy 30:5; 6; 10:16,17)

B. Circumcision of the heart - as circumcision of the foreskin was a token or sign of the Old Covenant (Genesis 17:11), so water baptism is the circumcision of the New Covenant.  The true sign of the New Covenant believer is a circumcised heart.  Our “old nature” or “body of sin” is cut away with all its desires and lusts.

1. Must have a circumcised heart (Romans 2:28,29)
2. Circumcision without hands is performed in baptism (Colossians 2:11,12)
3. The New Covenant declares in Hebrews 8:6-10:
   1. The Lord is our God 
   2. We are His people

A. We are baptized into the Lord's:

1. Death (Romans 6:3-11)
2. Burial (Colossians 2:12; Romans 6:4)
3. Resurrection (Colossians 3:1; Romans 6:4,5)

B. We are baptized into the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).  These are titles and not names.1.
1. What is the Father’s name?
a. The Lord (Exodus 3:15)
b. The Lord is His Name (Exodus 15:3; Jeremiah 33:2; Amos 5:8)
c. I am the Lord (Isaiah 42:8)2.
2. What is Son’s name?
a. “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus (Matthew 1:21)
b. Jesus is the “Son of God” (1 John 4:15; 1 John 5:5)3.
3. What is the Holy Spirit’s name?
a. The Holy Spirit’s name is taken from the Greek word “Christos,” translated as Christ, meaning the “anointing.
b. Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:38)
c. The Spirit descended upon Jesus at His baptism.  Until this time He was known as Jesus of Nazareth.  Here He became Jesus Christ, the “anointed one” (Matthew 3:16,17).
d. The Holy Spirit is spoken of as the “anointing” (1 John 2:20 NIV)

C. The New Testament believer is baptized in the Name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
1. The fullness of the Godhead is Christ (Colossians 2:9).
2. The apostles understood Matthew 28:19 to mean they were to baptize in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ:
a. Acts 2:38  in the name of Jesus Christ
b. Acts 8:12  in the name of Jesus Christ
c. Acts 10:48  commanded baptism in the name of the Lord
d. Acts 19:5  baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus3.
3. In water baptism, we receive the NAME of the LORD JESUS CHRIST and are clothed in Him (Galatians 3:27 NAS)

Your baptism should have signified you becoming a follower of Jesus, beginning a changed life, and uniting with a new family. If your baptism did not reflect this change of life, then you should be baptized again.