“The Baptism to which Peter referred isn’t the physical ritual.”
It’s Baptism - with water. Hence, the comparison to Noah and the Ark in verse 20. Also, “removal of dirt from the body” is a clear reference back to the idea of washing with water which only makes sense if this is about Baptism.
“You left out the rest of the passage:”
It wasn’t necessary. The rest of the passage just proves what I was saying even more so it wasn’t necessary.
“The Baptism to which Peter, therefore, refers, is the heart of man, the heart which Christ pointed out multiple times throughout His ministry that is what concerns Him.”
No, for first generation Christians Baptism followed a change of heart. The two could be discussed as one. Hence, Peter’s words in Acts 2:38.
Again, it is NOT the physical ritual of Baptism which SAVES you.
It is the HEART which BELIEVES in CHRIST which Saves.
Baptism is a physical representation of what the HEART has done. One can be drowned with water and they will STILL NOT BE SAVED.
Actually, what you need to read are Christ’s words about ‘who may be saved’.
Start with the Gospel of John.