I disagree with you, there. And, I don't think that you have any scripture to back up your claim.
Sure I do. The one you keep MISREADING.
1 Peter 3:21 - and
this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—
not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
I'm going to explain this verse with such clarity that EVERYBODY will be able to understand it.
Red words refers to literal water, from v.20 and mention of the flood.
Blue word is what literal water DOES. Literal water is a SYMBOL.
Green words is the baptism that DOES save.
So far, we have "literal water is a symbol for the baptism that DOES save.
Then, Peter makes it crystal clear that it ISN'T literal water that saves by the orange words.
Literal water is involved in the removal of dirt from the body. And Peter said "NOT" in regard to saving.
You use this verse to support your claim that symbols save. Well, you just aren't reading the verse correctly.
My color coded explanation proves that you aren't.
But, no matter, because those with closed eyes and ears STILL won't see it. Or believe it.