Careful, you threaten the Catholic church, and they can take away your salvation and condemn you to Hell. 
The Lutheran religion also believes that you must be baptized, but you're spot-on. It's not really a very hard concept to understand. Anyone else that puts themselves between us and God is just out for your hard earned cash-o-la, IMHO. :)
Careful, you threaten the Catholic church, and they can take away your salvation and condemn you to Hell.
You said -- "The Lutheran religion also believes that you must be baptized, ..."
As a side note here, it's interesting about baptism, as the Bible does say to be baptized.
It's one of two practices (or sacraments) that Baptists recognize that Christ said to do. But, baptism isn't viewed as a salvation act, but rather as obedience to a command of Christ. There are many things that Christians should do, that some (or many don't) and it doesn't negate their salvation. It seems to me that being baptized is one of those things, even though it should be done.
One could view baptism as the second of those two things spoken about in Romans 10:9-10. At the time of baptism one is affirming with their mouth what they believe in their heart and thus fulfilling what it takes to be saved. But, one could say the same thing to any number of people (in other words, "publicly" and without trying to hide it) and it would be the same.
So, baptism may very well be the "institutional act" of becoming a Christian, thus "formalizing" the process. But, baptism does not appear to be the act that actually "effects" salvation (as a special act, in and of itself).
As another side note here (or a question) -- is it true that Lutherans baptize infants and thus consider them saved from that point on? That would differ from what it appears that the Bible talks about, in terms of one acknowledging certain things (in their heart) and then speaking it out loud (meaning publicly). It would not appear that infants would be capable of this.
Regards,
Star Traveler