1Pe 3:20 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.
1Pe 3:21 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.
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
We have to identify with the man Christ Jesus in His death,burial,and resurrection,by repenting,being water baptized,and receiving the Holy Spirit.
The thief on the cross did not have to be water baptized,it was bypassed,for he had no way to get to it,for he was hanging on a cross,like certain instances baptism can be bypassed,like if a person passes away before they could get to it,lack of understanding the word,but confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior,but if a person can get to baptism they have to for we have to identify with the man Christ Jesus.
Some people will say but baptism is a work,but it is not for it is part of the plan of salvation,like repenting,and receiving the Spirit,which water baptism is for the remission of sins.
Luke said to baptize in Jesus' name,in the book of Acts,Jews,Samaritans,and Gentiles,were all baptized in Jesus' name.
In the Old Testament God said one day the Jews would know His name,behold it is I that does speak,and Jesus said,I am come in My Father's name,and the prophet Agur said in the Old Testament,what is His name,and what is His Son's name,if you can tell,and the Son inherited the name from the Father,and the Holy Spirit comes in the name of Jesus.