**Which does NOT say:
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that is BAPTIZETH not shall be damned.**
He that believeth not is obviously not going to be baptized.
Is this how you interpret the first half of Mark 16:16?....
‘He that believeth is saved and can be baptized.’
The utter urgency of water baptism, shown several times in the book of Acts, is certainly not common today: people postponing it for days or weeks so that it can be viewed by plenty of family and friends, turning it into a party.
Therefore, the the lack of urgency shows the lack of faith (and understanding) in the act.
When Ananias was convinced of Saul (Paul) being repentant toward God, he declared:
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16
(That’s obviously not Spirit baptism, for Spirit baptism doesn’t require a particular moving around or positioning.)
I know nothing about obviousness, but only what the text reads.
Works for me.
Romans 10:13-15 New International Version
13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Nothing about getting wet here.
URGENT?
Paul may have a differing adjective in mind:
1 Corinthians 1:14-16 King James Version 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
If you are NOT saved without it, I think that Christ would have told Paul to do it.