Water baptism is not necessary for salvation

[1] Sounds more like an opinion and not a very well-rounded debate based on any facts. [2] In those opinions you expressed (Example: "There are a number of scriptures that teach this is not so".) You don't provide any of those aforementioned, said; scriptures, nor references of any kind and so I will again mention [1] just a bunch of opinions you have it seems like. [3] In order for me to properly debate 'Water baptism is not necessary for salvation' then I MUST make it known to you and all viewers/spectators of this debate that I am NOT a Christian, or follower of any Abrahamic faith/spirituality/path. Etc. Therefore; I WILL be debating this topic on notions based inside (and outside) of those systems of belief. Not because I do or don't necessarily believe in any of these particular things - but I'll need to sink to the sort of grossly misinformed notions that your debate topic was formed on which will require me to quote Biblical passages although I know those arguments may be silly (more or less) for a lack of better words. Because Biblical passages are not hard facts. But that's the debate you posed and so I will entertain. [4] In doing so (what I mentioned above) it must also be understood that I am pretending to understand Biblical passage literally, as you seem to be interpreting it and NOT metaphorically, and while ignoring the God-awful amount of mistranslations & interpretations that one may have. Instead, I pose that; in this debate we both agree to take scripture for it's face value and examine it based on mainstream common belief rather than arguing about the semantics of it all. No picking and choosing which parts of a verse you like and don't like - you must take the entire verse for what it's worth. [5] So in pretending there is any validity to your argument; I'd still have to ask from which point of view are you making your statements? Denomination? Or...? Please tell me WHY you believe what you do and that should help clarify a few points you didn't really cover. [6] And again in reference to; I would not consider myself to be Christian or related to the faith in any type of relevant instance, I will now quote passages from the Bible based solely on the notion that I need to in order to argue you properly. So I will now just literally Google the 'good word' and throw some random verses at you that seem to side with the water thing. [7] I will be quoting from the New International Version (NIV) Bible. Which is widely accepted by today's mainstream religious audience as a relevant scriptural source. [I] 1 Peter 3:21; and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also"not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[a] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. [Note I] References 'water' specifically. And so no further explanation is needed. [II] Acts 22:16; And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." [Note II] I refer to the word 'wash' which is commonly known to symbolize water, as like a shower, for instance. [III] Luke 3:16; John answered them all, "I baptize you with[a] water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with[b] the Holy Spirit and fire. [Note III] This is an interesting passage and one that I'm sure someone in your position might use to defend your side but I will point out in advance that John specifically states that he will use 'water' until 'the one' comes along, but in further researching that verse I find that there nothing hinting to 'that one' having yet come and so water would still be necessary within the context of the Bible in it's entirety and if you were to believe it as truth; then to date water would still be necessary as the more powerful one hasn't yet stumbled into our lives. [8] And well. There you go. Upon looking up Biblical verses about Baptism in general, I will admittedly say that there were plenty of passages that mentioned Baptism and salvation that do not specifically reference 'water' or liquid of any kind. I'll give you an example; [IV] Matthew 28:19; Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. [8][Continued] But even those verses that don't necessarily mention 'water' being needed for salvation, I couldn't find any verses that specifically state that water *isn't needed. And I'll remind you that my search was not biased at all because I did not specifically look for Biblical verses about 'water baptism'. I searched for 'baptism' in a whole. But please do point out anything that I may have missed. As of right now though I repeat, twice over, [I] Sounds like you have an opinion with nothing to back it up. [P.S.] Typos, errors and punctuation mistakes are maybe present and I don't give a **** enough to go back and edit an argument that will likely end with no response or at best; a dim-witted attempt. Sue me.