Baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace. It demonstrates to all concerned the person has accepted the Christian way of life. Baptism symbolizes an open break from sinful practices and Satan’s control.  It is an open declaration of one’s conversion experience and of his or her intention to serve the Lord. Baptism, as an ordinance, does not cleanse the soul from actual sin, but ceremonially, serves as a testimony unto the people of that fact. At New Beginnings we baptize by immersion; that is one is submerged beneath the water. We have “died to sin” and are therefore “buried...with him by baptism”  (Romans 6:2-4) Actual cleansing of the soul from sinful elements cannot be effected by literal water; only “the blood of Christ” is able to “purify your conscience from dead works to serve  the living God” (Hebrews 9:14)