To say it with simplicity, if we HAVE to follow Christ, then we HAVE to be baptized. Now, if a person accepts Christ and is killed immediately, that is a different argument.
If we don't HAVE to follow Christ, then we don't have to do anything and all sin is fine, b/c hey we have faith. Now we know this is absurd. I think the answer is yes we do have to follow Christ.
1 John 3:3 - And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
1 John 2:6 - He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
If you chose to follow Christ, then you chose to get baptized even as he was
Or according to John, he does not abide in Him.