What does the bible say?
1 Pet 3:21 21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: -- Baptism saves you through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ's grace, His sacrifice is what saves you and HE gave his command in Mk 16:16 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
One cannot say this is a symbol -- look at the statements throughout the New Testament:
Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. -- clear eh?This is not a symbol -- Christ was very clear that you must repent, confess your sins, believe, be baptised, eat of His body and endure to the end and you will receive His grace of salvation.Acts 22:16; And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name
Rom. 6:1–4; 1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Eph. 5:26; to make her holy, cleansing[a] her by the washing with water through the word,
Do not put human logic to twist His words
Do not address me on this subject anymore. It is a waste of your time. I am saved despite your objections.