Why is it ‘lapse’ back? Do you not believe he is bodily present?
“hence the contention that the Bible doesn’t teach salvation by baptism, but baptism as an outward symbol and public testimony of the inward work that has already taken place.”
Seems pretty clear to me that all those who are believers ought to be baptised, not because it’s a sign, but because it’s a sacramental and that it bears salvific grace.
No. The Spirit of Christ dwells in me. If you want to believe you are chewing a piece of literal human flesh and drinking literal human blood during Mass, that is up to you. I am content to receive the benefits of Christ’s suffering by faith, through the symbolic act of communion.
If you think you are saved by externals, that is your choice.