Acts 2:38 can be interpreted just as it is worded without implying in any way that salvation is caused by works. Water baptism is the outward symbol of the act of rebirth that God accomplishes on the inside at the time of our baptism. Our obedience to the Gospel, through submitting to water baptism, results in God’s regenerating the inner man. Hence, we are born again IN the water, but not BY the water.
Living as a Christian in this World 