Yet still they received the gifts of the Holy Spirit BEFORE baptism.
It is a big jump to make anyone’s salvation dependent on baptism as the final requirement. It usurps God absolute authority in so many circumstances as to challenges the very concept of a rational, unchanging eternal G-d. Such a belief demands some go to damnation solely based on a personal physicals act, regardless of Christ’s sacrifice.
It makes salvation something man can do, nay must physically do, to achieve instead of the free gift the bible states it to be.
You seem to think Baptism is not God’s authority, this is not scriptural. That is erroneous in reasoning to boot. Its not exclusive, God’s authority and keeping God’s commandments as part of that authority.
There are many gifts of the spirit however but the same Lord. It is necessary to be given the gift of the spirit to proclaim Jesus to begin with. However, Jesus himself makes it a condition that someone should be baptized in his name.