Baptized into Christ (Romans 6:1-14)

Our Lord commands that the church would go forth baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  The church is called to make disciples and baptize in the name of the trinitarian God.  What is the significance of this sign of baptism?  What does this sacrament communicate?  Why does the apostle Paul say that were were baptized into Christ’s death and also his life?  Does this baptism automatically work, does it merely symbolize something, and so what is the purpose of baptism?  How does baptism encourage us in our Christian walk?