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.
wrong-
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.
if you have to be baptized to be saved it would have been included here. and other places.