Evading the question? The question is: "Is the outward, carnal religious ritual of 'water baptism' necessary for Salvation?"
The short answer is, merely considering the predicament of the thief on the cross, NO (Luke 23:43).
Your short answer is not valid, the thief died under the old law, Jesus could save someone by his word, after the death and enactment of the Law of Christ, water baptism became a requirement. your time and space is off...
Just as "physical" Circumcision was a "shadow" of true Circumcision - which is "of the heart" (Romans 2:28-29) - Baptism with water was a "shadow" of true baptism, which is baptism with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Matthew 3:11 "I [John the water baptizer] indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire."
Yes, you need to go back and catch up, we covered this already, ONLY JESUS can baptize with the Holy Ghost (once with the Apostles, once with the house of Cornelius), now show me one other example of anyone getting baptized with the Holy Ghost aside from an Apostle or the house of Cornelius, nobody else has...
Is baptism necessary. YES - but it is NOT the physical ritual of baptism with water that is necessary!
Again, prove it, show me one person in the Bible PERIOD that has been SAVED by baptism of the Holy Spirit, just show me one...
Do the experiences of the twelve apostles teach us anything concerning HOW WE FIRST SEE CHRIST? Do we not first know Christ only "after the flesh?" (2 Corinthians 5:16) ...though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet NOW HENCEFORTH know we Him no more."
I have no clue of the point your trying to make here.
The apostles had been baptized and were baptizing others. They had been called and commissioned by Christ Himself to go preach... heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils... (Matthew 10:7 and 8), and as yet, their calling and gifts not withstanding, they were not even converted (Luke 22:32)!! Baptized, but NOT converted!
I said all along, the Apostles were baptized "with" the Holy Spirit, this is why they could do miracles.... but at the time of Luke 22:32 how could they be converted to the Law of Christ when there was not yet a "Law of Christ" (A testament to be in effect requires the death of the testator):
Hebrews 9:16-17 (KJV)
16 For where a testament
is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament
is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.
Water baptism is the shadow of the Good thing to come spoken of in Hebrews 10:1. Ephesians 5:26-27 shows the "washing of water" that really is essential for salvation is "by the word," not physical water:
the "shadow" was the old law (Mosaic Law), Acts 2:38 was under the new law... and Peter begs to differ:
1 Peter 3:20-21 (KJV)
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah,
while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 5:26 "That he might sanctify and cleanse it [the church] with the washing of water by the word"
I am surprised you would even use this scripture, it is the Word of God that brings forth regeneration, and what does it teach? water baptism...
1 Corinthians 1:17 "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel"
This is one of the most obvious attempts to take scripture out of context to make a point, Paul here is scolding the Corinthians for boasting of who baptized them, they felt one baptism by (to make an example) Peter, was better than to be baptized by John, Paul scolded them saying I am glad I baptized none of you... but look too at verse 16, Paul DID baptize.
Next time look at the rest of the scripture:
1 Corinthians 1:11-16 (KJV)
11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them
which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
It is sad when one has to go to this length of twisting and taking scripture out of context to support their man made doctrine.