“And which was a figure of what spiritual took place, but water did not purify from sin, but the faith which one expresses in baptism, in conscience toward God, thus souls were “purified by faith” even before baptism, as shown to you before, and Rome must allow.”
Then baptism in water was symbolic, an outward sign of faith and it was this act of faith that ha value?
Meaning it is the faith that baptism expresses, confessing the crucified and risen Jesus as Lord in “body language” - which is essentially no different than by mouth (Rm. 10:9,10) - that is what appropriates justification. Thus souls can be saved prior to baptism, and which Rome also allows, even if as an exception.
But baptism is the commanded initial act of obedience of faith, , and Biblical ordinances can be a channel of grace, (1Tim. 4:14) which some call “sacraments.”
But any act of faith can be considered “sacramental” in the real sense of the term, as God gives grace to those who obey Him in faith, while the error of institutionalized religion is to foster faith in the power of the institution, and making rituals an automatic channel of grace and regardless of the personal holiness of the minister, as long as his “intent” is right, and largely promoting perfunctory professions among the recipients.