Water Baptism - Not Regenerational (We are not saved by baptism)

I have encountered this number of times and I always use a couple of Scriptures:

First, I talk about the thief on the cross - Jesus said this day you will be with me in Paradise, and NO water baptism was provided.

Second, that when Peter went to the house of Cornelius, the fact that the Gentiles received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit demonstrated that they had been Saved. Read what Peter says in Acts 10 and also Acts 15, Peter clearly states that the salvation came without or before the water baptism (a step toward becoming a Jewish proselyte), and that Jewish conversion was not needed for redemption.

Thirdly, there is no record of all of the 12 Apostles being water baptized, but we see their Salvation in Jn 20:22 and their Holy Spirit Baptism in Acts 1:13; 2:1-4.

Now some would say they must have been baptized by John the Baptist.  But, that is distinct from Christian Baptism as is recorded in Acts 19:4-5.  Does this mean they were not redeemed, or has this just been omitted?  If truly it were a requirement for salvation, wouldn't it have been recorded?

And finally I get into a discussion of what baptism really is.

In the Bible there are 5 types of baptism mentioned.

1) John's baptism (non-Christian) - parallels the Jewish proselytes process

2) The Baptism of the Dead (pagan) - used to illustrate that even pagans believe in resurrections in 1 Cor 15

3) Baptism into the body of Christ (part of experiencing salvation)

4) Baptism of the Holy Spirit

5) Baptism in Water

People who believe in baptismal regeneration typically don't believe in the separate baptism experiences.  They tend to believe they are all one and the same, so by demonstrating their differences you can change their theology.

By studying the house of Cornelius and Acts 19, we see they take place in different orders, but there are three  Christian baptisms.  1) Baptism into the body of Christ (part of experiencing salvation),  2) Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and 3) Baptism in Water

What then of Eph 4:5 that says there is one baptism?

The One Baptism that is more important than any ceremony, is the Baptism into Christ. That is the experience of Salvation, that Jesus called being born again as recorded in John 3:5-8..

 The question still lingers in some minds, 'If Water Baptism does not make me a Born again Christian (regenerational), then why should I be baptised?'

 There are two good reasons to be baptised.

First, because Jesus said that his followers were to go into all the world, and preach the Gospel, and baptise the believers in water. Matthew 28:19.

Lastly, because when a person has found new life in Jesus, they need to testify to that, by Baptism, signifying that they have died to the old life, buried in the water, and risen again to walk in this new life, typified by coming up out of the water of Baptism. This should be a public ceremony that friends and family can be present to witness.