Many churches say that Baptism is an outward expression of the salvation we have already received when first having believed in Jesus. I believe these verses clearly say otherwise.
Matthew 28
18 Jesus went close to them and he said to them, ‘God has given me all authority. I have authority over everyone and everything. I have all authority in *heaven and in this world.
19 Go to the people in every country. Teach them how to become my *disciples. *Baptise them by the authority of God the Father, his Son and the *Holy Spirit.
20 Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you. You can be sure that I will be with you always. I will be with you until the end of time.’
Act 2:38-41 ISV 38 Peter answered them, “Every one of you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus the Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift. 39 For this promise belongs to you and your children, as well as to all those who are distant, whom the Lord our God may call to himself.” 40 Using many different expressions, Peter continued to testify and to plead: “Be saved,” he urged them, “from this corrupt generation!” 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized. That day about 3,000 people were added to their number.
Acts 8
Act 8:12 EasyEnglish But then Philip told them the message about how God rules as king. He told them all about Jesus. He said that Jesus was the Christ, God’s special servant. Many men and women believed in Jesus, so Philip baptised them.
Acts 16
Act 16:31-33 EasyEnglish 31 Paul and Silas said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and then God will save you. He will save you and your family.’ 32 Then Paul and Silas spoke to the man and to all the people in his house. They told them all the good news about Jesus. 33 So that same hour of the night, the man took them. He led them into another room and he was kind to them. He washed the parts of their bodies that the soldiers had hurt. Then immediately after this, Paul and Silas baptised the man and his family.
Rom 6:4 Therefore, through baptism we were buried with him into his death so that, just as the Messiah was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too may live an entirely new life.
Col 2:12 When you were buried with the Messiah in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
1Pe 3:21 Baptism, which is symbolized by that water, now saves you also, not by removing dirt from the body, but by asking God for a clear conscience based on the resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah,