Is your Bible missing these verses?
1Pe 3:20 who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water. 1Pe 3:21 This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
The Bible also says to be saved and be baptized. Salvation comes before baptism. I agree that baptism is something necessary for cleansing of our sin. And that it comes after a child or adult professes Christ as Saviour.