The answer in our text is, all things whatever I have commanded you . In the Bible. We do not find it in some preacher or some church. We find God's instructions in His Book. Baptism DOES NOT make one a child of God.
Baptism is only a figure or symbol of what has taken place in the believer's life.
In these two passages we have the meaning and purpose of baptism very plainly stated. It cannot be emphasized too much two of the things of which Peter wrote. Yes, it is only a picture, whereby the believer testifies that he is a follower of Jesus Christ. It has no saving merit or grace. It simply shows or gives the answer of a good conscience toward God .