Is baptism necessary for salvation?

Is baptism necessary for salvation? 

Ipet 3:20-21 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Ceremony of Baptism

"Baptism" - Matt 3:6,13-16 and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?.

 Matt 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit 

Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned

The waters of the flood are a picture of water baptism. The Greek word translated "exact representation" is used in the plural in Heb 9:24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us;

Just as the Holy place in the tabernacle was an exact copy of the one in heaven, so the water of the flood is a copy or type or exact representation of baptism.

Now it is clear that Noah and his family were saved, not by being in the water, but by being in the ark. The ark symbolizes Christ (Gen 7:24 The water prevailed upon the earth one hundred and fifty days.)

The water did not save them, but they were saved "through the water"

Heb 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.clearly states that they were saved by faith.

Since baptism is an exact representation of the flood waters, how can anyone think that ceremony of baptism itself can save us?

Only if we think that the water of the flood saved Noah and his family should we think that baptism saves anyone.

For salvation and new life we first get into Christ, our "ark" and only after we have salvation and new life should we go through the water of baptism.If we are not already in Christ, and so saved, we should not be baptized. Baptism is only a picture of the death and resurrection of Christ and our union with Him. The Bible is very clear about what saves us:

God Himself saves us by His mercy Titus 3:4,5 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Jesus saves us Matt 1:21  She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." 

Rom 5;9,10 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

The Blood of Christ  saves us Eph 1:7 n Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 

The sacrifice of Christ saves us Heb 10:10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 

we are saved by grace through faith Eph 2:8,9 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast

we are saved by the  believing the gospel Icor 15:1-4 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, y which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scripturesand that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Peter says that the living ho[e we have is because of God's great mercy in giving us the new birth and that the goal of our faith is salvation of our souls

Baptism is public announcement that those receiving it mean to live as God wants them to live and not defile or silence their conscience any more.

The outward ceremony of baptism can no more save a person than circumcision could save any Jew. But the attitude of heart that baptism signifies is essential,m that is, in faith submitting to the Lord Jesus Christ.