The like figure [antitypos] whereunto 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. This verse does say that baptism saves us - BUT NOT THE BAPTISM THAT REMOVES THE DIRT FROM THE BODY; which would be water. What was promised to all that believe when Jesus Christ was glorified (ascended)? 'out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. But this spake he of the Spirit'. . . the spirit throughout the word of God is spoken of in terms used for water - be filled, overflowing, poured out, etc.
The OT type was literal water the NT antitype is 'living water' i.e. holy Spirit.
antitypos - a thing formed after some pattern, a thing resembling another, its counterpart.
Baptism in 'living water' i.e. holy Spirit was not available to Abraham. It was not available until Christ ascended. (John 7:39) Abraham believed God and it was accounted unto him for righteousness.
Is it correct to add the word 'water' here? Water does not and cannot save anyone. It is clear from the record in Acts 10:47; 11:17 that Peter understood that these new believers had received the holy spirit and thus were saved before he ever baptized them in water. Why did the Church continue to baptize people in water? Yes, because of the command to his disciples to baptize. We know Jesus meant water because only Jesus baptizes with holy Spirit - all that any disciple of Christ can do is baptize in water.
Actually - nope. It makes two baptisms.
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the holy Spirit . . . . Did the apostles hear Jesus say that John baptized with water, now they were going to be baptized in holy Spirit? Now in saying that, Jesus did not clearly undo some 14 centuries of baptism in water, nor did it undo the command he gave them during that same forty day period between his resurrection and ascension. Water baptism is a ceremony of cleansing from sin and in some cases 'initiation' or 'joining' becoming a member in the body of Christ or a member of a certain church. My point is somewhere along the line something changed in the early church for Eph. 4:5 to say there is ONE baptism. If water baptism saved then why in the OT did the people have to continually get washed/cleansed?
How can dunking in water create within someone the new man, that new creation in Christ?