I’m a Protestant; my perspective is people are saved by repenting of sins they’ve committed, choosing to turn away from future sins, and pursuing a right relationship with God — matters of the heart, which the ritual of baptism demonstrates to the community.

Like you can be legally and factually married without having a wedding with friends and family invited, but having a wedding demonstrates your marriage to the community so they can both celebrate and hold you accountable.

The common Protestant view which I share is not that people are born with sins already committed that need cleansing, but that they’re born with a tendency to sin that will certainly show itself.

I’d love to talk about this with you more; maybe next time we meet up in person would be better!