Oz,
Again, I find the notion of making a convert as a separate act from making a disciple to be quite unsubstantiated in Scripture. There is simply no indication anywhere that there is a process for disciple-making and a separate process for making converts. The whole purpose of "baptizing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" indicates a person is being transferred into a relationship with the triune God. The early church understood this and it is why every new believer was baptized. They didn't reserve that for "making disciples." There are actually three participles - going, baptizing and teaching. Jesus is sending his disciples out into the world to spread the message and bring people into relationship with the triune God. It is mind-boggling to think that someone would see Matt. 28 as a very unique call that applies only to a particular practice of evangelism...disciple-making...but these commands don't apply to a form of evangelism that only intends to make converts. I have never heard anyone teach such an idea.
I think you are straining gnats here. Paul told the jailer how to be saved and taught them the Word of God. They were baptized as a result. Pretty much the formula Jesus commanded. Again, I think you are imposing lines between salvation and discipleship that do not exist in the Bible. Can a person be a Christ-ian and not be a disciple? The early Christians were called "followers of the Way." They were all disciples. No such thing as a saved, non-disciple. If there is, please show me the text.
Yes, they rejoiced they had believed in God. They didn't rejoice they had been baptized, nor did they rejoice they repented of their sins...does that mean neither of these are important? Of course not. The point is, belief is played out in baptism (and also repentance). There is a connection between belief and baptism that is very explicit in the book of Acts. Again, one has to ask themselves, "If baptism is merely a meaningless sign, then why did the early church put such emphasis on it and why were believers "immediately" baptized? Because it doesn't mean anything? Again, look at Romans 6:1-3, 1 Peter 3:21, and other such teachings in the epistles and decide for yourself. Either the authors were extremely poor communicators or salvation, remission of sins, dying with Christ, being clothed with Christ, etc. actually happen in the moment of baptism.
1 John was written to Christians. It is talking about the false teaching of Gnosticism sweeping into the church. Gnostics taught that because the body was sinful anyway, it didn't matter what you did with it. The only thing that mattered was our knowledge (gnosis). John is telling believers that we are to walk as Jesus walked and when we sin, we need to confess it and turn from it...rather than imagining it doesn't matter or that sin doesn't exist in the presence of gnosis.
Yes, "by the washing of regeneration." Literally, the "bath" of regeneration. I think this is a clear reference to baptism.
Well, considering all believers were baptized, I don't think Paul would have to spell this out. He also doesn't mention anything about repentance in this passage. Does this mean we don't have to repent to receive the Holy Spirit either?