As you said............in every case.......in the Acts of the Apostles.......where you find someone being water baptized....they always BELIEVE FIRST............as that is the moment of Salvation, and New Birth.
This person you are trying to help, might open a NT to Acts 8, and read where Phillip is talking to the EUNUCH, who wants to be water baptized.....and Phillip explains......."yes you may, IF YOU HAVE BELIEVED WITH ALL YOUR HEART, FIRST"/...
WATER follows Salvation............it never causes Salvation.
How could it?
Did water baptism die on the Cross for our SIN?
Did water baptism shed its Blood for our Sin?
Was water baptism raised from the Dead?
Did the dying Thief on the Cross, who is in heaven right now, get water baptized?
No he did not., and YET< there He is in Heaven right now with Jesus.
I was born again, 11 yrs before i was water baptized.
And after it was over, we stood around while they drained the baptismal water.
Someone who has no idea about the Cross, says to me....."there go all your sins, see that water"....
And i thought..........."ok, im not to insult them, as they just water baptized me, but what i was thinking was.......>"no fool, my SINS are on CHRIST 2000 years AGO< who saved me by HIS BLOOD and HIS DEATH.....proven by the Resurrection""".
Water need not apply.....