Yep, it has been a nice cordial discussion, we can agree to disagree, no problem.
Here is my view on water baptism:
The Jews needed to be water baptized in the 4 Gospels and early Acts because the Kingdom was "at hand".
Once the Jewish nation accept their Messiah, they will all be priests spreading the good news to all the Gentile nations. (
Zechariah 8:20-23)
Thus water baptism was the step involved to enter that priesthood.
For Gentiles, it was not required for salvation since we were only included after the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish nation. Ours is to believe in Jesus's death burial resurrection and we are saved (1 Cor 15:1-4,
1 Corinthians 1:17)
Practically speaking, you can go ahead and be water baptized if you feel it will be a public testimony of your belief, especially to your unbelieving friends and relatives.
But at the end of the day, when people ask you, "How do you know you are saved?" If you were to ever think in your heart that water baptism has something to do with that confidence, I think that would be wrong.