The sum of God's word is truth (Psalm 119:160) Truth cannot be realized in rejecting some passages and accepting others. God's Word states that truth is established by 2-3 scriptures. (Matt. 18:16) The need to obey God's command to be water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus is a part of the rebirth process. This truth is seen in the history of the NT church described in the Acts of the Apostles. (Acts 2:38-41, 8:12-18, 8:35-40, 10:44-48, 16:14-15, 16:28-33, 18:6-10, 19:1-6, 22:16) It began in Jerusalem and continues to spread throughout the world as prophesied by Jesus. (Luke 24:47)
But twisting acts 2: 38 and other passages in an attempt to make water baptism a work required to be saved., Is not truth.
The OT equivilent is circumcision.
Your in effect saying people in the OT can be saved by faith alone, and people in the NT have to actually do a work.
Paul in collosians answer the question. the spiritual circumcision is the baptism of the hs. (chapter 2) not the physical baptism being promoted by many here