The formal dedication of my baby daughter to God, was taking responsibility before God to bring her up in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Baptism of a baby is not understood by the baby. Baptism symbolizes the believer's identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection: "we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead...we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom 6:4).
Canon 849: "Baptism, the gate to the sacraments, necessary for salvation in fact or at least in intention, by which men and women are freed from their sins, are reborn as children of God and, configured to Christ..."
Galatians 3:26 You are all children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus.
I am aware that Rome teaches "faith," but this statement of the Canon is not unrepresentative of her belief that baptism is the entrance requirement. Since it is administered to infants, personal faith and repentance are not considered as vital as this outward act. (see also Canon 204.)
Listen to what Paul says to the Corinthians
1 Corinthians 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Cripus and Gaius (if Water Baptism were essential to Salvation, as some claim, I hardly think Paul would have blatantly announced that he had only baptized a few, as he did here)
1 Corinthians 1:15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name (nothing must be done to draw away allegiance from Christ)
1 Corinthians 1:16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas; besides, I know not whether I baptized any other(informs us that the inspiration of the Apostles in writing the Scriptures involved none of the mechanical infallibility ascribed to them by popular dogma)
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize(presents to us a Cardinal Truth), but to preach the Gospel (the manner in which one may be saved from sin): not with the wisdom of words (intellectualism is not the Gospel), lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect (this tells us in no uncertain terms that the Cross of Christ must always be the emphasis of the Message.
The Conversion of The Jailer
Acts 16:30 And brought them out (brought Paul and Silas out of the prison), and said, Sir's, what must I do to be saved?(This presents terminology that shows some familiarity with the Gospel; quite possible before the arrest of the Apostle, the jailer had heard him preach)
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved (presents the most beautiful explanation of Salvation that could ever be given), and your house (means that Salvation is not limited merely to the jailer, but is available to the entirety of his family as well, that is if they will meet the conditions of Faith in Christ required of them)
Acts 16:32 And they spoke unto him the Word of the Lord (pertained to fleshing out of the answer given in the previous Verse, explaining what believing in Christ really meant), and to all that were in his house
Acts 16:33 And he (the jailer) took them (Paul and Silas) the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes (speaks of the terrible beating they had suffered a short time before); and was baptized, he and all his, straight away
Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ (refers to the Baptism into His Death at Calvary [Romans 6:3-5]; the reference is not to Water Baptism) have put on Christ (means to be clothed with Him [John 14:20])
Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (this proclaims an end of all class, status, and social distinction. This phrase alone answers all racism)
Galatians 3:29 And if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed (Christ is Abraham's seed, so my union with Christ makes me Abraham's seed as well), and heirs according to the Promise (heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ [Romans 8:17])