Yes, sinners are saved by water baptism. “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). Could God put it in any plainer terms? How dare any man deny it! When men refuse to believe these words of inspiration, what would God have to say in order to get men to believe it? It could be no clearer!
Water baptism for remission of sins began to be preached by John the baptist, “John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” (Mark 1:4).
Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16). Men may twist this verse around all they want to but they will never escape the fact that Jesus himself said to be saved one must “believe and be baptized.” In Mark 16:16, Jesus gave two conditions for salvation: belief and baptism. What man, living or dead, has the authority to change what Jesus said? Not a single one! Yet the world is filled with people who turn this verse around to read “He that believes is saved and can be baptized.” Men hate and detest that Jesus connected water baptism with salvation, so much that they go to extreme lengths in a worthless effort to circumvent the Lord’s simple plan of salvation. By so doing, they are refusing sinners the right and privilege of salvation. Woe be to those in judgment who prevent sinners from coming to Jesus!
When the gospel was preached for the first time on Pentecost in Acts 2, baptism was given as a condition to receive remission of sins. “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Therefore, every conversion account in the book of Acts included water baptism. In fact, three can be no conversion without it. One can no more be saved without baptism than he can without faith or repentance.
However, as much a part as baptism plays in one’s salvation, it alone cannot and will not save anyone. It is just one of the steps in God’s plan of salvation. Without it, no man can or will be saved.