Neither did I say that it was through water that we receive the Holy Spirit.
What I said is that being "born of water and the Spirit" refers to the two baptisms; one in water and one in the Holy Spirit.
The Baptism of the household of Cornelius demonstrates that Peter understood that water baptism and Spirit baptism were both essential to becoming a child of God.
The baptism in water of the Ethiopian eunuch demonstrates that water baptism was required to enter the kingdom of God.
It was, from the first day of the Church (Pentecost) a standard requirement to enter into the family of believers, the household of God.
Mar 16:16a He who believes and is baptized will be saved;
(Baptized = βαπτισθεὶς; "is baptized")
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
(Baptized = ἐβαπτίσθητε "have been baptized")
Baptize per Thayer's Lexicon
STRONGS NT 907: βαπτίζω
βαπτίζω; (imperfect ἐβαπτιζον); future βαπτίσω; 1 aorist ἐβάπτισα; passive (present βαπτίζομαι); imperfect ἐβαπτιζομην; perfect participle βεβαπτισμενος; 1 aorist ἐβαπτίσθην; 1 future βαπτισθήσομαι; 1 aorist middle ἐβαπτισαμην;
Meaning:
1. properly, to dip repeatedly, to immerse, submerge
2. to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water;
3. metaphorically, to overwhelm
In the N. T. it is used particularly of the rite of sacred ablution, first instituted by John the Baptist, afterward by Christ's command received by Christians and adjusted to the contents and nature of their religion (see βάπτισμα, 3), viz., an immersion in water, performed as a sign of the removal of sin, and administered to those who, impelled by a desire for salvation, sought admission to the benefits of the Messiah's kingdom;