Is baptism essential unto salvation?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Adino

So, will you agree that the actual remission of sins and to personally experience that remission of sins are two very separate and distinct events which happen at two very separate and distinct times? Yes or No?

If sins were entirely already remitted at the cross, no one needs to obey the Gospel to be saved rather they "experienced" that remission or not. What Christ accomplished at the cross was opening the door by fulfilling the law of atonement for mankind. It is up to us if we enter into that door and receive salvation. One enters that door through repentance and water baptism, God fills them with the Holy Ghost as a gift.