You got to remember that water baptism came from the John the baptist who was under the old covenant.
It's about what it represents, it's a shadow of the true, which is by the Spirit when one believes. When Jesus
came he himself was still under the old covenant. He himself didn't need to be baptized but did it for us, so that
through the natural we can see the spiritual. Just as the outward law can bring salvation to no one, likewise
water baptism. The true baptism is from the word itself. Washing of water by the word, which is the true baptism.
Ephesians 4:5 tells us that their is one baptism. And 1Corinthians 12:13 says that by one Spirit we are baptized
into one body. So the one baptism is from the Spirit, which is the true baptism. This is what God revealed to me
from the word, which before I hadn't read and studied it. I thought that my salvation was in water baptism.
My whole point is that no one should believe that they need to be water baptized in order to receive salvation. If they
did then it would be through works, which salvation is not by works but by faith in believing.
I will start with a small point:
John the Baptist did not initiate water baptism - he is not the inventor!
If you have the interest to properly research this you will find that water baptism for various reasons was rather common at the time.
This brings me to the important point:
You mentioned being water baptized and having a false view of what it meant at the time.
You are correct that water baptism does not save - despite what the baptismal regenerationists try to tell us!
However, there is a VERY important reason for water baptism for those who are saved.
It is a public acknowledgment of an inner spiritual reality.
The inner spiritual reality is that at the time you were saved you were baptized by the Holy spirit into the body of Christ, and subsequently baptized by Christ into the Holy Spirit.
Water baptism then becomes the public acknowledgment of this reality!
Christianity is not a personal endeavour hidden away from the world!
We are to be public witnesses to the reality of Jesus Christ and water baptism is just one of those opportunities.
Water baptism is commanded by Jesus Christ Himself - I am sure that you know this!
It is not for nothing that water baptism is indelibly linked to Jesus Christ giving the Great Commission!
Think on these things...