Sure, God saves. The question is how he does it: instrumentality, not agent.
And I honestly haven't a clue as to what you think I've taken away
Baptism is the sign of entry into the covenant, just as circumcision was. You aren't permitting that to infants.
The early church very clearly disagrees with you on this, BTW. Justin Martyr even speaks of old women alive in his day who were baptized by the Apostles. Since he was writing in AD 150, a little bit of math tells you that they were baptized as infants or young children.
One is a power - until then - vested solely in God.
Excuse me, but Scripture is inspired by God. Sins are forgiven by God. Both are powers which come from God. And you've already admitted that Jesus gave that power to the Apostles; you just reject the 2000-year-old belief of the church that that power did not die with the Apostles.
What is the function of the elder as seen in the NT? Teaching, training, shepherding. Forgiving sins? Not seen.
Already mentioned: John 20.
Interceding? Not seen.
Surely you understand that all Christians are to intercede for one another.
Having their faith substitute for the lack of faith of their followers? Not seen.
We no more believe that about our priests than you believe it about your pastors. I know you don't mean to offend, but that's an offensive and nasty accusation to level at fellow believers.