I have many times, I spent much my life struggling with the baptism question.
I accepted the Berean challenge and searched the scripturas.
They must reconcile to each other and be consistent. The only way to make baptism a required element of salvation is to read scripture in a vacuum and to put man before G-d.
Again, I ask you, how did the thief go to paradise? he was not baptized.
The only way to make baptism a required element of salvation
Act 19:3 “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked. And they replied, “The baptism of John.”
I think you need to clarify your position. What is baptism? How does God see baptism?