Water baptism is an act of obedience and honor by identifying self with Christ against the unbelieving world ---it honors God in saying: I am determined to be on your side for my walk. Salvation then is more than an act or works, but in receiving Jesus Christ into one's heart and being devoted to Him in one's walk and life. I usually say we should make the Lord Jesus our best Friend always (hopefully one knows what that might mean). God says: "...he that hath the Son hath life" --KJV (meditate on 1 Jn. 5:10-13). It speaks of honoring the Father and the indwelling and sealing of the Holy Spirit. Walking and talking with the Lord Jesus will keep one at peace and having assurance forever.
What you have said about water baptism is all traditions of man. It sounds good when preached, to a people that doesn't read or study their bibles. Also, there is no scripture that says we need to receive Jesus in our hearts, or asking Jesus to come into our hearts, this is more good preaching to a people that don't read or study their bibles. And now you have coined another phrase, "make the Lord Jesus our best friend," some more preaching that sounds good from the pulpit but it doesn't feed the sheep. Just more talk to fill up the time. Preachers should preach scripture, from the bible, and stick to the scripture, no babbling about things that are not in scripture.
Mat 3:1 About this time, John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the Judean wilderness
Mat 3:2 and saying, "Repent, because the kingdom from heaven is near!"
Mat 3:3 He was the one the prophet Isaiah was referring to when he said, "He is a voice calling out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!'"
Mat 3:4 John had clothing made of camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey.
Mat 3:5 Then the people of Jerusalem, all Judea, and the entire region along the Jordan began flocking to him,
Mat 3:6 being baptized by him in the Jordan River while they confessed their sins.
Mat 3:7 But when John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he told them, "You children of serpents! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
Mat 3:8 Produce fruit that is consistent with repentance!
Mat 3:9 Don't think you can say to yourselves, 'We have father Abraham!' because I tell you that God can raise up descendants for Abraham from these stones!
Mat 3:10 The ax already lies against the roots of the trees. So every tree that isn't producing good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
Mat 3:11 I am baptizing you with water as a token of repentance, but the one who is coming after me is stronger than I am, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. It is he who will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Mat 3:12 His winnowing fork is in his hand. He will clean up his threshing floor and gather his grain into the barn, but he will burn the chaff with inextinguishable fire."
Mat 3:13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.
Mat 3:14 But John tried to stop him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?"
Mat 3:15 But Jesus answered him, "Let it be this way for now, because this is the proper way for us to fulfill all righteousness."At this, he permitted him to be baptized.
Mat 3:16 When Jesus had been baptized, he immediately came up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens opened up for him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him.
Mat 3:17 Then a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love. I am pleased with him!"
Traditions of men.....right......
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. Love self looking4 
and it will manifest to others in time and His will. Matthew 22: 37-39 , now change the order around to self first (which is God loving us first) which will manifest to others in time (love thy neighbor) as you learn to love self and further down the time line realization of love God with all our hearts and mind . For me, looking4, the verse that says "the last will come first" spoke to me in changing order of Matthew 22:37-39 (for a season) . However in context it was referring to another subject, yet in retrospect of my own "looking4" self had to be loved first as in verse 39. Prayers to you, that you find the last part of your CF handle... Joy. In hopes this helps.
Romans 3:10. ) to a changed mind of forgiveness of first self others and we eventually find God put Joy in the heart and we love Him most of all for supplying peace in our heads and/or again Galatians 5:22. 
