No, I am not putting a spin on anything, I would agree with you, Water baptism is a representation as physical circumcision in the OT was a representation of a people being cleansed vs those who are on the outside and unable to partake in Gods blessings.
I am not aware of scripture which says anyone is excluded?
That is what Paul brings together in this wonderful passage. We are not cleansed and made a seperate people by some man cutting off our foreskins to make us clean, We are cleansed and made seperate form the world by the hands of God. And this is done through a spiritual baptism, where we are buried with him, and raise in him THROUGH FAITH in the WORKING OF GOD.
Again, it is the work of God, not your pastor. And it is his death we are baptised into. Not water.
Yes...water is used as a symbol of that action...thru baptism.
Well thats your opinion. But the actual event happens the moment we place faith in Christ. We then obey God and get baptised in water as the answer of a goood conscious to God. And as a means to show the world our faith. While giving our testimony of our faiht in Christ. A very useful tool I may add, many have come to christ watching others give their testimony.