Who is changed only after immersion. This is not a continuation of the act of baptism discussed here. In this freedom we christians shall walk. This is not a condition dependent on immersion of water at a later time after accepting the salvation of Christ. Walking in newness of life is not dependent on having immersion or any form of water baptism.
Water baptism is a public witness to the world.
It is not the empowering device. There was no persecutor, no bleeding, no scourging, no insult, no shameful parade, and no giving up of the soul and spirit. The verse ought to be understood in the spiritual sense. If in the spirit, then there is no need for the physical. Christians can call to the Father Abba even before water baptism.