1 Peter 3:21 is saying water baptism clears the conscience.I can say it is the other way around. So who is right? By how much emphasis Paul or even Peter placed on it for salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.... 21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Do you read any emphasis on water baptism when believing the preaching of the cross is the power of God in salvation? No, but a definite deference from it. Now look at Peter... carefully with His help.
1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Water is used for the putting away of the filth of the flesh so that means not by water baptism BUT by the answer of a good conscience TOWARD God which is by believing in Him per the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Now address those two references as they clearly support how I apply those 2 verses in Acts as rightly dividing the word of truth by Him.
How?
Remitting sins.
This makes us "not guilty" or "sin free" before God.
Not an outward cleansing, but inward cleansing.