God will not be separated. The Word (Jesus) and the Spirit work together. There is one Lord, one Faith, and one Baptism.
1 Corinthians 12:13 - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. There is only one baptism that places us into the body of Christ and that is Spirit baptism, not water baptism.
Peter said "Repent and be baptized and you will receive the Holy Spirit."
*Also compare the fact that these Gentiles in Acts 10:45 received the gift of the Holy Spirit (compare with Acts 2:38 - the gift of the Holy Spirit) and this was BEFORE water baptism (Acts 10:47).
*In Acts 10:43 we read ..whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins. Again, these Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:45 - (compare with Acts 2:38 - the gift of the Holy Spirit) when they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 11:17 - (compare with Acts 16:31 - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) BEFORE water baptism - Acts 10:47 - this is referred to as repentance unto life - Acts 11:18.
*So the only logical conclusion when properly harmonizing Scripture with Scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18). *Perfect Harmony*
And God says in 1 Peter 3:21 "baptism doth save you." And we know this is water baptism, because it explains that it's not about removing dirt from the flesh. (It's not a bath).
*Just as the eight people in the ark were "saved THROUGH water" as they were IN THE ARK. They were not literally saved "by" the water. Hebrews 11:7 is clear on this point (..built an ARK for the SAVING of his household). *NOTE: The context reveals that ONLY the righteous (Noah and his family) were DRY and therefore SAFE. In contrast, ONLY THE WICKED IN NOAH'S DAY CAME IN CONTACT WITH THE WATER AND THEY ALL PERISHED.
During baptism God performs circumcision of the heart. (Col 2)
Romans 2:28-29 shows clearly that it is not physical circumcision "made with hands" but spiritual circumcision which makes one truly a Jew and one of Abraham's children. Since baptism is the New Testament counterpart to circumcision in the Old Testament, we may therefore understand Romans 2:28-29 to have the same meaning in relation to baptism that it has in relation to circumcision: For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not from men but from God.
Only those in Christ will be saved- that makes it the most important thing ever! Because there is only one way the Bible tells us that we get into Christ- we are baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3)
So we are "water baptized into Christ" in the same sense that the Israelites were "baptized into Moses" (1 Corinthians 10:2). Not literally baptized into the body of Moses here and there is little dispute that being "baptized into Moses" signified the open allegiance and public identification of the people of God with Moses. Moses was formally recognized as the leader of the covenant people. Water baptism signifies our allegiance and public identification with Christ as our Savior.
Baptism is obeying the gospel. The Bible says that the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we get baptized we die to our sinful self, bury our old sinful self in the watery grave of baptism, and are raised a new creature. "With flames of fire (hell) He will take vengeance on those who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of His Son."
Therefore, how can anyone say it's not important?