We Are Justified By Faith

 This verse has caused much controversy and is used as a proof-text that 'water baptism' is necessary for salvation, but that is not what this verse teaches.
 Neither water baptism nor spirit baptism saves us, but faith in Christ. However, spirit baptism is the immediate RESULT of faith in Christ and water baptism is the outward sign of the inner change of a redeemed life.
 We are saved by faith in Christ and are 'baptized' (placed into) the Body of Christ the moment we are saved. The meaning of 'baptizo' is 'placed into' but the transliteration of the Greek 'baptizo' to 'baptism' has incorrectly become associated with water baptism.
 We Are Justified By Faith and not by being baptized. But because we are justified we are immediately baptized in the spirit, which gives us a good conscience before God. God declares us righteous because of our faith in Christ and we are placed in Christ the moment we are saved by grace through faith in Him.
 Faith in Christ saves us from God's righteous judgement. Faith in Christ removes the filth of the flesh by the forgiveness of sin. The reference to 'the baptism which now saves us' in this verse, is not implying that 'water baptism' or 'spirit baptism' is the means of salvation. Spirit baptism is the result of faith in Christ while water baptism is a illustrative picture of the inner cleansing of the heart at salvation. When a man or woman turns from their sins to Christ and is cleansed by the washing of the water of the Word of God, the result is a good conscience before the Lord.
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. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for this truth that being baptized does not save us, but it is a wonderful outward expression of faith in Jesus and the answer of a good conscience toward God. Thank You that we have been identified with Christ’s death, burial, and Resurrection. Thank You that His death became our death, His burial became our burial, and that through Christ's Resurrection, we have  received a good conscience before God. May we walk daily in newness of life for Your honor and glory. In Jesus' name, AMEN.