Are we saved by our mode of baptism or by Jesus Ch

[Jeffrey]

The whole point of Romans 6 is to qualify is earlier statements of freedom in Christ -- he begins with a rhetorical question "should we continue in sin?" and proceeds to explain why we shouldn't. Using imagery, he shows that the believer has come into a new life, our old way was nailed to the cross. The subject here is living in freedom in the new life, not a didactic instruction on baptism.

Paul is known for his shaping imagery and illustrations to help make his point.

1-3So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there? Or didn't you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace—a new life in a new land!
3-5That's what baptism into the life of Jesus means. When we are lowered into the water, it is like the burial of Jesus; when we are raised up out of the water, it is like the resurrection of Jesus. Each of us is raised into a light-filled world by our Father so that we can see where we're going in our new grace-sovereign country.