"Does 1 Peter 3:21 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?"

The question is: "Does 1 Peter 3:21 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation?"

Notice 1 Peter 3:18 For the anointed one also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but made alive by the Spirit:

verse: 21:.......even baptism does also now save us..... by the resurrection of Jesus the anointed one:

Notice: Matthew 20:22: But Jesus answered and said,...... are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I will be baptized with? [speaking of his death as a sacrificial sin offering]. By his death we are reconciled to God and by his resurrection we in him have the opportunity to enter into the coming new age as glorified immortal men/women.

What happens when we obey the command of Jesus to be baptized?

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death - death to self, death to the sins of the flesh: that like as the anointed one was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life - resurrection life, new age life [living by the spirit of truth - the spirit of Jesus living in us.

Again: Colossians 2:12: [We are] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead.

Peter also says: Acts 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus the anointed one for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the holy spirit.

Baptism of and by itself will not save anyone.

What does save us?

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Amen! By the grace of God we are saved. It is God's grace that if given to us that is His free gift that enables us to exercise the faith that saves!