Paul is here talking to disciples of John, baptised with the baptism of repentance. This is in a transitional situation therefore.
Baptism is not a step to salvation.
Acts 2.41 says that 'they that gladly received His Word were baptised'. Note that the Word was not made supposedly and indispensably effective by baptism. Rather, those who already believed, those on whom the Word by the Spirit had already wrought a joyful change in them, showed that they were now Christians by publicly observing the symbol of baptism.
Baptism is not a step to salvation.
Acts 2.41 says that 'they that gladly received His Word were baptised'. Note that the Word was not made supposedly and indispensably effective by baptism. Rather, those who already believed, those on whom the Word by the Spirit had already wrought a joyful change in them, showed that they were now Christians by publicly observing the symbol of baptism.