There's a couple reasons that we as Christians take this important first step in our faith:
1. Following Jesus means doing the things Jesus did, and even He got baptized. This one is pretty straightforward. If we’re going to follow Jesus, then we should do the things that He did.
2. Following Jesus means doing what Jesus says. As seen in the scripture above (Matthew 28:19-20) we have been directed by Jesus to go into the world, proclaiming His name, and baptizing people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We want to proclaim Jesus as our leader, and out of love we obey what He has asked us to do.
3. Following Jesus means showing Jesus to people. Baptism is an incredible reenactment of what Jesus did for each of us. Just as he went into the grave and was raised back to life, we go into the water and come out as a new creation in His name. Our broken souls and broken lives are healed and washed away by Him. At NC, we believe it's not the water that cleans us, but rather, it is a symbol of the healing and washing of our spirits that Jesus' sacrifice has done for each of us. This bold public stance shows off what only Jesus can do in each of our lives.
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:4 ESV
21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
1 Peter 3:21 ESV