Baptism is an essential part of the salvation process. Our sins are forgiven and we become followers of Christ when we are baptized.
Baptism is performed by totally immersing a person in water who wishes to become a follower of Christ. The water itself has no special power. The act of baptism is not a work of merit which earns salvation. It is God who saves through the blood of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, God has made baptism the point at which a penitent believer is saved.