You cite the unity of certain protestant groups verses baptists. To my knowledge, none of the groups mentioned believes that one must ABSOLUTELY be baptized to be saved.
We Southern Baptists certainly do not believe that. Baptism is an obedience to God, and while very important, it is not salvific at all.
Baptists believe it is a picture of what has transpired in the life of the believer. When one is immersed, it isn't unusual to hear "Buried in the LIKENESS of his death and raised to walk in a new kind of life." It is a picture of regeneration but is not salvific.
Absolutely correct.
Agreed. Baptism is a picture of what has already transpired. It is not a part of making one a Christian. It is an act of obedience because one IS a Christian.