Romans 6:17 - obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine

Romans 6:16 - whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that ones slaves whom you obey.

One has to ask is baptism the gospel, or figure of the gospel. Is baptism the real thing or figure of the real thing. Any honest man would says it is not the gospel but it depicts the gospel.

Romans 6:17 says that we obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine, if 'that form of doctrine' is translated as 'baptism' then the literal translation would be - obeyed from the heart baptism. But that would mean by verse 16, we become slaves of baptism, not the real thing but a depiction. In other words we become slaves of a depiction. Doesnt make sense.

If however, 'that form of doctrine' meant the gospel, by vs 16 we become salves of the gospel aka. word of truth, hence we become slaves of truth. The second translation i think makes more sense. Because we become slaves of the real thing rather than the depiction.

Also see my post on what 'obey the gospel' means.