repent was the primary verb, baptism was not part of salvation if so Jesus wouldnt have gotten baptized, acts 2 is talking about the proper order, baptism is a good work a work of obedience but water doesnt save you. Only Jesus blood can do that
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
as you read this scripture you see clearly that salvation is not dependent on baptism but rather on our belief in Jesus.
Its clearly a coordinating conjunction of verbs, because "and" is used. that isn't put there for no reason as a superfluous addition. Its emphasized by Peter as a necessary step.