Justin Martyr (c. 151, First Apology 61): regenerated by water washing, remission of sins in it.
Tertullian (c. 200, On Baptism): washes away sins, admits to eternal life; without it none saved.
Cyril (c. 350, Catech. Lect. 3): remission of offences, new-birth of the soul; no baptism, no salvation (exc. martyrs).
Augustine (c. 412): sacrament of regeneration; cites 1 Pet 3:21 that baptism saves us.
They viewed baptism as the actual means of regeneration and forgiveness of sins, not a mere outward symbol. The prior interpretation does not reflect the early Church consensus.