Baptism is a Portal

The faith-driven act of believers being baptized in water, points to the spiritual process, or act, whereby God the Father puts us into Christ Jesus so that we can be partakers of His death and resurrection.

God baptizes us

30. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 1 Co 1:30

10. that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. Eph 1:10

Baptism is about us being immersed into Christ so that we are one in His Death and one in His resurrection. This death and resurrection is the only way to be saved and to escape the judgment and punishment for sin.

Into death, and then resurrection

3. Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?4. Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Ro 6:3-4

Saved by baptism

Please note, this refers to the spiritual act of baptism, not physical ritual

18. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,19. by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison,20. who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water.21. There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,22. who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

1 Peter 3:18-22