Baptism isn't an arbitrary act, merely a practice of repetition, without spiritual worth. Nor is it merely a symbol, although powerful in the spiritual meaning (i.e. symbolic themes in scripture or symbolic acts set as an example, but are not sacramental).
Jesus makes it perfectly clear in his ministry that baptism is essential. Although Jesus was sinless, he made a point to seek out John, to receive baptism. John was hesitant to perform the rite:
"I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in the way to fulfill all righteousness."
Jesus's ministry on earth is about his death and resurrection, but it goes further than that. God sent a part of himself, his only son, God incarnate to the world to live as a man and in that life to show us an example of faith, a perfect living example. Lessons about practical applications to life on all levels of psyche and physical aspects of our trials and joys so that we might have an example to follow, helping on our path to salvation. Grace is a gift, yet we are called to act in faith and as Christ would have us.
Jesus emphasized the importance of baptism, and God the Father makes his presence known in baptism and the essential nature of this sacrament:
And when Jesus have been baptized, just as he came up from the water suddenly the heavens were opened to him 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, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
Though Jesus is God's son, fully divine and fully man, this example of baptism, shows the importance of the physical use of water and the fire of God's kindling love bestowed in the process. God proclaims an adoption at this moment, so even though Jesus is God's son, our adoption in Baptism calls us into the family of Christ's church and God considers us his children, whom he loves and is well pleased. That is humbling and joyful thing that fills the spirit with hope in despair and a light that penetrates even the darkest spots of life. If God is with us who can be against us?
Baptism is a living and powerful act that works through the baptized. It confers the gift of salvation and is formal adoption into Christ's Church. Although free will is still within us, the capacity to sin ever-present, the gift of baptism cleanses us and offers us certain protections against spiritual warfare. Once baptized you are eternally marked by Christ, that doesn't mean you might forsake your redemption by choice, falling into darkness. Baptism is our personal living guidepost written on our hearts, a spiritual seal. We may stray, but God is always with us, The Trinity bestowed on us as a living promise. We may break turn from the Holy Spirit, but God is always with us. Baptism is the ultimate symbol of love and faith fulfilled. It is God's contract of his living promise, that his covenant of Grace through Christ's death and resurrection will not be broken. That door is always opened to us.
Water is a prevalent theme and symbol in scripture. It is something that speaks to us on a spiritual and physical layer. Living in Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the power and necessity of water is prevalent - water fuels the heat blistered plains, the rivers pump life into dry, desolate places, in the winter it takes the dagger of ice jams and avalanches, deadly as they may be to protect the ecosystem.
As humans we thirst, we yearn to be clean. One hour without water and we thirst, One day without a shower and we yearn to be clean. The Holy Trinity is the spiritual water that quenches our thirst and cleanses our souls.
Water has many layers of power and connection to bring meaning an understanding to our spiritual journey. It many ways it epitomizes God's spirit. Water is the ultimate cleansing power in the natural world, essential for sanitization, hygiene, it quenches our thirst and keeps us hydrated, precipitation nourishes our ecosystem, helping crops to grow. Water can also be a powerful force of wrath, from flooding, to frozen ice and water than can kill...God is all good, but he is also a God of justice. In scripture he uses water to flood the world to cleanse it from the evil that had run rampant, but also it is a force of death, drowning the world. It seems harsh, but it is essential that we kill our desire to rely on the world, learning to trust in God. In cleansing of baptism we can open the first door to relying on God's spirit, the Holy Water that cleanses, not drowned in the sorrow of world, rather rejoice in God's living gifts.
God uses water to part the Red Sea, yet those who oppose God's will drown by the wrath of the water, Egyptian soldiers drowned. In the desert the desire of thirst for the world is always a contention for the desire for God. Even Moses, a man full of God's grace and love, struggled at Meribah - God instructed him how to receive water, but Moses became distracted by the crowds 'the world' and the gift of water, though still given, became a stumbling block - forcing Moses not to be allowed into the Promised Land.
We must rejoice in the gift of Baptism and understand that its power is a gift of grace and a living spirit of God dwelling in us, but the power is not of us. Baptism is the open door to a journey in faith, baptism is essential for this journey, but to complete the journey we must continue to walk in faith and to repent. We cannot rest in our baptism alone, but trust it's sacramental power as a promise that we can have faith in God's promise, it is a living reminder of the Holy Trinity & God's Grace.
Matthew 3: 13-17: Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in the way to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. And when Jesus have been baptized, just as he came up from the water suddenly the heavens were opened to him 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, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased."
Mark 1: 9-11: In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased."
Useful links about Holy Baptism:
http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/p/Sac_Baptism.htm
http://christianity.about.com/od/biblestorysummaries/p/baptismofjesus.htm
Verses about Baptism:
http://www.openbible.info/topics/water_baptism
Verses about Water:
http://www.openbible.info/topics/water
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