Answer: In the act of baptism, Saul's sins would be washed away, (verse 16).
NOTE: The word "baptized" here means "immersed or dipped."
MORE INFORMATION AND/OR OTHER SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
1 Peter 3:21: "and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ..."
[Note: "Symbolizes" is translated "like figure" in the KJV. A definition of this word from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words (Hebrew and Greek) is as follows: "Antitupos. An adjective, used as a noun, denotes, lit., a striking back; metaphorically, resisting, adverse; then, in a Passive sense, struck back; in the N.T. metaphorically, ‘corresponding to,' (b) corresponding type, 1 Peter 3:21, said of baptism; the circumstances of the flood, the ark and its occupants formed a type, and baptism forms ‘a corresponding type' (not an antitype), each setting forth the spiritual realities of the death, burial, and resurrection of believers in their identification with Christ. It is not a case of type and antitype, but of two types, that in Genesis, the type, and baptism, the corresponding type."]
The act of baptism is a commitment on the part of the believer in all good conscience to make sure that what was begun in baptism will become a reality in his/her life. One is not saved by any ritual, but by the supernatural power of the resurrection. This power of Jesus' resurrection can only be contacted through the obedience of baptism.
We enter the kingdom of God in Jesus, with Jesus and through Jesus. Baptism is the death of the old man of sin, which has been crucified with Christ. We are then buried in the watery grave with Christ, and are resurrected to a new life in Christ. It is a cleansing of--the washing away of--sin. The only way we can be cleansed from our wickedness or sin is by contacting the blood of Jesus through baptism. It is a life dying to sin and the control of Satan, and then rising and living anew as a person made right in the eyes of God, now being forgiven of all sins and made holy--set apart for service to God. Baptism is the complete surrender of "self", a complete giving up of the gratification of self in this world of darkness and sin, and a giving over of one's life to the work of glorifying God in all that one says and does, just as Jesus spoke and did only those things the Father gave Him to speak and do. In this, Jesus pleased the Father on all ways.
This is what is born of baptism: a new creature who strives to please the Father in all ways--a godly person. And by this new birth of baptism, the Father then gladly accepts us as His child, and He is pleased with us.
