Baptism is when you proclaim your testimony to the rest of the church and it is a public declaration that you have chosen to follow Jesus. As you do this, you glorify God, encourage the church, and allow other Christians to support you in your walk now that they know you follow Christ. While baptism is not a requirement for salvation, it is the method the church has traditionally used for individuals to proclaim allegiance to Christ, in obedience to His ordinance. It is a means to let the world know you now belong to Christ.