[Forest Keeper]

The salvational aspect of baptism is that it is for the remission of sins. Without the remission of sins there is no salvation because our salvation depends on God's mercy (forgiveness) of sins.

Salvationally speaking, since we are only talking about adult Baptism here, what is the difference between Baptism and a regular confession?

You believe that you were "restored" before all ages, way before you had any faith, or even existed on this earth, so your rationalization here is faulty.

I don't think so. From God's POV everything is already settled, but from our POV we are predestined for what WILL happen. Actual salvation and the Spirit indwelling are still events in time that take place. We believe that happens only to believers. If we thought that we were already restored in time before belief then our whole concept of original sin would be meaningless.

[jo kus]

Salvationally speaking, since we are only talking about adult Baptism here, what is the difference between Baptism and a regular confession?

Baptism washes away all sins. It is not dependent upon the contrition of the receipiant. We receive the seal of the Spirit, are made children of God, receive sanctifying grace (without which we cannot achieve divinization). Baptism gives us the theological gifts of faith, hope, and love. Confession IS dependent upon the contrition of the penitent. Willingly unconfessed sins are not forgiven. Confession restores sanctifying grace (if lost) and gives us additional grace to repel future temptations. But it doesn't give us another seal of the Spirit, nor does it "remake" us children of God. Baptism is our initiation into the Christian faith. It is critical to salvation.

Regards