Why do some Christians believe baptism does not save?

Sovereign grace theology emphasizes that salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone, rooted in Ephesians 2:8-9, which states that we are saved by grace through faith, not of works. Baptism, while essential in the believer's walk, is an act of obedience that follows salvation and does not contribute to one's righteous standing before God. This perspective is further supported by the example of the thief on the cross, who was promised paradise without the opportunity for baptism, demonstrating that faith in Christ is the sole means of salvation rather than the act of baptism itself.