Baptism "saves" (I Pet 3:21) only because it is anextention of our desire to have a clean conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I would argue that any action on my part that extends from this purpose is an act that "saves."
Well... I think Baptism saves us in the same way as the flood waters saved Noach and his family and the Yam Suf (Sorry... Red/Reed Sea) saved the Children of Yisrael at the end of the Exodus from Egypt. All three are saved BY GOD through trusting and [subsequent] obedience.
Actually, slade, if you read the I Pet reference you will see that my comments were more or less a paraphase of the passage itself (in regard to the conscience and etc.)
Your comments are a great help, both in regard to this post and to some of the others.
Thanks.
John
