Baptism

It is clearly the gospel that saves us. But what is the gospel? It is explained by
Paul in
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1 Cor. 15:1-4: "Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached
to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this
gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.
Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you
as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the
Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according
to the Scriptures."
The gospel is defined as the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus for our
sins. Baptism is not mentioned here.
Paul said that he came to preach the gospel, not to baptize:
"I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so
no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the
household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone
else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel..." (1
Cor. 1:14-17)
If baptism is necessary for salvation then why did Paul avoided it as far as
possible? Why did he not mention it in context of salvation anywhere?
Acts, Peter was preaching the gospel, people got saved, and then they were
baptized.
Acts 10:44-46"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit
came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come
with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out
even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising
God. Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone keep these people from being baptized
with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.' So he
ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
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