Literally means submersion or dip
like “taking a dip in the water”. One variation on the word means wash like taking a bath. So it is
symbolic of “washing off your dirty life”. Once a person
has decided to become a Christian they have made a decision that they are now
going to live life in a clean way. So they go through this symbolic ritual to
help cement this change of heart. It is also done publically to let everyone
know “I am done with that lifestyle! I am intending on living a clean life from
here on out!”
