The King James Translations says it differently;
21: The like figure whereunto even** baptism
doth also now save us** (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
The Douay Rheims Bible:
21 Whereunto
baptism being of the like form,
now saveth you also: not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the examination of a good conscience towards God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Another NIV Bible says it differently to:
NIV Bible:
and this **water symbolizes **baptism that **now saves **you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge. of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Source for NIV Bible:
ibs.org/niv/passagesearch.php?passage_request=1+Peter+3&niv=yes#en-NIV-30430
It said specifically
water is symbolizes baptism itself, and that baptism saves. It doesn’t say baptism is symbolic.
It is apparently, you aren’t reading this passage correctly, byoby.