Well, let’s look at Luke 3:7-9 in context…
7John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.
9The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire."
John is speaking of works here and that those who do not “produce good fruit” [good works] will be thrown into hell. It just doesn’t say what you are attempting to make it say.
Yes the works that result in repentance. Not baptism. It says exactly what I suggested that it does.
Really? Hmmm… So some works result in repentance and repentance results in our going to heaven (salvation)? That sure sounds like work based salvation to me.
Repentance is required - as is baptism. There is nothing contrary to the salvific nature of baptism in that passage. Ironically, the verse is crystal clear: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.” And what do we then receive? The GIFT of the Holy Spirit.
Indeed repentance is required baptism is a result of repentance not the other way round. Salvation come in the form of "repent" and be baptized part of it is the resulting action not affecting salvation. Consider the theif on the cross. There is no baptism for him however none claim that he wasn't saved.
OK - let us consider the thief on the cross. First, how do we know he wasn’t already baptized? It is not out of the realm of possibility. Secondly, if I remember correctly he came to the defense of our Lord on the cross. That act, like Baptism, is an action – a work!
Yes - however, God uses Baptism to confer that grace, as is clearly indicated in the very scripture that you are addressing. Here it is again: “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” This is consistent throughout scripture.
The term Confering Grace sounds sacramental rather than ordinational. Sacraments confer grace by participating in the act of the sacrament. Baptism is a resulting obedience to a grace that has already been confered on the believer. Baptism just shows what has already occured. Its a witness.
Where is any of that in scripture? What I have shown is that baptism is salvific and is consistently portrayed thusly throughout scripture.
The scripture here does not say that - it is referring to being baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit through Baptism.
Scripture says exactly that. Its refering to being already in a state of Grace through the spirit where then we are baptised into the same unified body of Christ. Baptism is the witness in this case.
Please show me where scripture states that Baptism is the witness to anything.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body
then you say
Sure – just look at the next verse.
"12 Buried with him in baptism..."
verse 12 begins an advancing in flow of thought not a definition of modern exchange of circumsision.
Lets look at in context.
1 Corinthians 12:10-15
10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit [the gifts of the Holy Spirit], and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.
There’s the old analogy again…
A body has many parts – just as your body has many parts so the body of Christ has many parts [members].
13For we were all baptized byone Spirit [the Holy Spirit] into one body[the Body of Christ] —whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.
OK – in verse 11 the Holy Spirit gives us different gifts. Now in verse 13 that same Holy Spirit baptizes us. But that’s only one half of the equation.
John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Again it’s both water [baptism] and the Spirit [the Holy Spirit]. If it’s not, then these scriptures contradict each other. Cleary they don’t if taken all together.
Again I point you back to Jesus’ own baptism. Did he need to repent? No! And what happened directly after he arose from the water? The spirit descended upon him from above.
And what did Jesus say to John the baptist? He wanted to fulfill all righteousness. His baptism lead the way of obedience to the Will of God.
And his baptism set the example for us right there - Water and the Spirit.
And ask yourself this. If Baptism is necissary for salvation why didn't Jesus baptize?
The exception proves the rule? Hardly!
I don’t know why didn't Jesus baptize and niether do you. However, perhaps we’ll find out someday.
And why did Paul say his mission was not to baptize?
As pointed out in 1 Corinthians 12:10 above, we all have been given different gifts and different missions. God determines who gets what.
Because what is important is the baptism in the Holy Spirit (not pentecostal thinking here) or being born from above.
Woah there … Not according to scripture. What is important is what is stated in scripture - being born of water AND the Spirit.
Again I point you Jesus’ last command to the Apostles.
In Matthew 28:19
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost
Hmm… It sure sounds pretty important to me. 
Peace!
