How do you get paid for your work? Is it remuneration in justice for the work that you have done, or is it because you cash a paycheck?
The first is a meritorious cause; the second is an instrumental cause. There is no opposition between them.
The merits of the Cross of Christ are the meritorious cause of our justification, while the waters of baptism are the instrumental cause. Once again, they are not opposed to each other.
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-10 KJV).
What is that Gospel?
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (I Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV).
Nothing about being baptized before a man is saved, it follows after . . . only.
However, there is a spiritual baptism that takes place as well as a circumcision.
“And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses” (Colossians 2:10-13 KJV).
My only message to anyone seeking salvation by any other way than the death, burial and resurrection of Christ is . . . “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5 KJV).