You are treating water baptism as the mechanism of covenant‑entry,
Jesus defined the New Covenant as in His blood — “This cup is the new covenant in My blood” (Luke 22:20), not in water.
Mark 16:16 does not teach water‑based salvation, because Jesus ties salvation to belief, not the ritual — “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned”
Notice He does not say “he that is not baptized shall be damned,” meaning unbelief is the issue, not lack of immersion.
Scripture distinguishes Spirit‑baptism (the real union with Christ — 1 Cor 12:13; Col 1:13) from water baptism (the outward confession), and the apostles never treat the symbol as the saving act, which is why Paul can say without contradiction, “Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel” (1 Cor 1:17); obedience to Christ matters — absolutely — but obedience begins with faith in Him (John 6:29) and continues in the things He actually commanded, and He never said water baptism is the covenant‑entry point or the condition of eternal life; Hebrews 5:9, Luke 6:46, and James 1:22 all affirm that true believers obey Christ, but none of those passages redefine the gospel or elevate water baptism to a salvific requirement — they simply teach that those who truly know Him follow Him, and following Him means obeying His covenant terms, not adding Moses’ shadows or elevating symbols above the substance.
Please consider the following in regards to Paul's comment about water baptism:
What did Paul mean by his comment that he was not sent to baptize? (1Cor. 1:17) Paul’s statement must be read in context. The Corinthian believers were dividing themselves into groups according to the leaders they followed. Paul reminded them that they had been baptized in Jesus' name, not his own. His calling was to preach the gospel; he was not seeking a following based on who had personally performed their baptisms (1 Corinthians 1:10–17).
Scripture informs us that Paul preached the need to be water baptized but rarely performed the actual water baptisms himself. Consider Paul mentions Crispus by name as one of those that he did personally baptize (! Cor. 1:14). A look at the circumstances around the baptism of Crispus provides insight. The scripture reference is Acts 18:6-10. The record shows that Crispus and ALL of those of his household and MANY Corinthians believed Paul's message and were baptized (verse 8). This verse alone confirms Paul’s message included the need to be water baptized. So on that occasion, Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, was the only one that Paul actually baptized himself (1 Cor. 1:14). It is clear that someone else was with Paul and performed the other water baptisms. Further it should be noted that on that very night the Lord gave Paul a vision. He told him to continue speaking/sharing the message without fear (Acts 18:9-10).
Acts 18:6-10
“And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized."
(Paul’s comments in 1 Cor. 1:14 establish that this was water baptism.)
"Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.”
Further evidence that confirms NT water baptism is essential is found in 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. And before Paul began his own ministry Ananias commanded he be baptized to wash away his sins calling upon the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16). Furthermore, Paul re-baptized men in the name of Jesus who had formerly been baptized by John the Baptist. This account reveals the absolute necessary for people to obey the NT command of water baptism in the name of Jesus as it relates to His death, burial and resurrection (Acts 19:1-7). We know the referenced baptism is water baptism because it was afterward at the laying on of hands that they received the Holy Ghost. Also of great significance is the fact that the message that began a Pentecost was still being preached 20+ years later; everyone is to be baptized in the name of Jesus for remission of sin (Acts 2:38).
The recorded events reveal Paul understood water baptism was part of the gospel message. As such, Paul’s comment then could not have been intended to mean what some mistakenly believe.
I will not kiss your ring or any thing. I careless what you think of me 
