Is Water Baptism Necessary For Salvation?

Q: Is our salvation contingent on us taking water baptism?

A: Water Baptism is a principle but not a rule. It is proper to take Baptism after we have believed in the name Jesus, it is an outward testimony of the inward supernatural work of faith that God has wrought (Acts 8:35-38).

But no way we can say that without it no one can enter the kingdom of God. Why do I say this, hear what Apostle Peter has told to those Holy Spirit baptized new converts, "Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?" (Acts 10:37). In other words, the same Apostle Peter who said Acts 2:38 as a command, was stunned to see God break his so called protocol and save people before giving them baptism in water. 

Also one of the the thief who was crucified with Jesus repented in a moment of time and Jesus assured a safe passage in to His eternal kingdom of God (Luke 23:40-43). This man never had the time to get baptized but he was given an assurance to be with Jesus in Heaven.

Paul the apostle himself said that he was never called to baptize people but preach the gospel and save people from their sins (1 Cor 1:17-18).

From the above examples, we can easily understand that taking baptism is not a precondition to enter in to the kingdom of God, but it is indeed a testimony and a command to obey after we are saved by coming in to the kingdom of God (Matt 28:19-20).