So even though Jesus said those who believe AND are baptized will be saved, the water baptism part is not necessary for being saved?
Define "saved."
For Israel only, to whom the gospel was first preached in the beginning of this age,repentance and baptism was required by God as the condition for them to receive the Holy Ghost, which is salvation. Repentance and being baptized in water in Jesus name was not being saved, but it was the condition for being saved. It is flat out unbelief for someone to read a plain statement in the scriptures, the word of God, then spend the rest of ones life denying what is said.
Why not just believe the words that are written in the scriptures, even if you do not understand it now, and ask God to reveal this truth to your heart. He will honor this type of prayer. Water baptism in the name of Jesus was for Israel a transitional condition, belonging only to this one generation.
Paul was converted to Christ upon repenting in Acts 9. Afterward, he went to Damascus where Jesus said he would be told what to do. He had received the Holy Ghost from Jesus personally at his encounter without first being baptized in water, as all other believers had done since the cross. There is a reason for this in Paul's case. He was to become an apostle and all the apostles had been given the Spirit by Jesus Christ personally. One may read how Jesus Christ "breathed" the Holy Ghost (who is the life of God) into his apostles on the evening of his resurrection from the dead. This is revealed to us in John 20. Later, in Acts 1, when God poured out his Spirit from heaven on Israel, the apostles were instructed to be "filled" with the Holy Ghost. A man must first be given the Spirit before he can be filled with the Spirit. This filling is instruction to be completely yielded to the Spirit so he can accomplish his will through the believer.
With that in mind, read the biblical testimony of Paul as instructed through Ananias.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
Nothing about being baptized in water here, but watch this.
Acts 22:3 I am verily a man [which am] a Jew, born in Tarsus, [a city] in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, [and] taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.
5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.
6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt [there],
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers
1) hath chosen thee,
2) that thou shouldest know his will, and
3) see that Just One, and
4) shouldest hear the voice of his mouth15 For thou shalt
5) be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
(five is the number for grace and Paul is the preacher of grace)
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
This scenario proves baptism is symbolic of cleansing. Paul already had the Holy Ghost abiding in his bodily person. He has been instructed, as he later instructs all Christians, to be filled with the Holy Ghost. This also proves that water baptism is not taught as a part of salvation.We know that God saves men without baptism. When gentiles begin to be saved in Acts 10, they are instructed by Paul to be saved "after" they receive the Holy Ghost. The symbolism is the same, cleansing, i e sanctification, but they are already saved because they have the Holy Ghost already abiding in their bodies.