It does not matter what each of us believes about baptism. It matters what God wants. We are not providing salvation and eternal life, God is.
I have never understood the big hesitation of people claiming they do not believe in baptism, or baptism not required.
I would think any would be more than willing to be baptised since Jesus himself was baptised and since there are directions to from Jesus (Mark 16:15-16)
"He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will
be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
How very selfish and petty we must appear when we are offered salvation because God gave His Son Jesus to die for our sins, Jesus suffered and did die for us. All we are required to do is profess our belief that Jesus is the Son of God, repent of our sins and be baptised for the remission of those sins and we have Jesus to intercede for us as we follow Him.
Then we come along and say "Ok, God I'll take salvation but I don't want to be baptised, you see I do not believe it is required."
What do you think God would think if that is our reply to the most wonderful gift anyone could bestow.
Are we willing to say "Ok, I would go along with accepting that gift - but, gee, baptism? I just don't think I can tolerate that".
Frankly, I would not want to take the chance that I had interpreted God's meaning correctly if I choose to ignore those verses that tell us to repent and be baptised and we will be saved.
I never said that a person SHOULD NOT be baptized. I said it's not necessary for salvation. The first example in this discussion is the thief on the cross. You're right. It doesn't matter what we think. I was saved by grace through faith. Water has no redemptive qualities. It does show, however, a desire to follow Christ's example.
In Christ