There is an insemination, a conception, a period of gestation, and a parturition or birth. The birth finalizes what has been taking place in the womb rather than being the cause of the life developing process. The parturition is necessary, but not the cause of life. In similar manner, a sinner hears the gospel, develops faith, decides to submit his life to God in Christ, begins a process of reformation, and is baptized. Although baptism is necessary in this procedure, it is not the cause of life.
Baptism confirms what has already been taking place in the person.
The regeneration is a process finalized by baptism instead of being produced by it. At the completion of this birth process, righteousness is imputed rather than the person having been made righteous by an act of grace in response to a sacramental rite. The person is pronounced innocent, not made innocent by an act of God. The convert is accounted as being a new person rather than a new soul being poured into the body. Baptism imparts grace no more than belief, repentance, or confession does.