2006-08-16 14:58:21 · 17 answers · asked by rickcas06 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This is a denominational question. That's why so many churches has split. You are going to get several yes and no answers.
First of all, the verses that says: be "baptized", is just that. You have to have a Greek concordance to understand "which" baptize" it refers too. Baptize, means "immerse". That's it. That's all it means. NO where does it say in water. OK?
It does say: Bring Jesus Christ IN your heart. It say: For ALL has been baptized "IN" Christ. It never one time says "water". You are "baptized" INTO the "body" of Christ, by "immersion", of your repentance. not water.
Why? You could baptize anyone by water and they not even know what your doing. Only YOU, can "repent by "immersion, it can't be done for you by anyone.
Jesus was baptized in water. YES. why? Jesus lived His entire life in the mosaic age, under the Law of Moses. John The Baptist preached, "water baptism". Jesus set a example of "obedience", by following the Law. John The Baptist said himself, There will be one come after me, that will "baptize" with the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ Himself, "baptized" nobody by water. He had the power to "save" people,Himself. Jesus spoke of "the age to come". What age is that? The "Christian age". That happened Acts. chapter 2. It was THEN, the Holy Spirit fell upon them in the upper room, and "filled" (baptized" by immersion). They all became in ONE accord.
The Bible says: You are "baptized" several ways. It never says "water" one time. Lets look at Baptized:
Into Christ Jesus Romans 6:3
Into Moses 1 Cor 10:2
Into one body 1 Cor 12:13
for the dead 1 Cor 15:29
Mark 16:16 He who has "believed" AND is "baptized" shall be saved; but, he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
ok? That talking about John The Baptist "baptism" by water. READ the significance of the statement.
He that believes and is baptized (immersed in Christ) shall be saved. ok? He that disbelieved shall be condemned. You are condemned by disbelieving, not for not being water baptized.
You should be water baptized. Yes. BUT not as a prerequisit for salvation.
The Bible say: You must be born of water and spirit. right? ok.
When a baby is born, the baby spends 9 months inside you. IN what? water. Water surrounds the baby for protection. Just like John The Baptists preaching of "water baptism protection".
The baby is born AFTER what? The water breaks. The babies "protection just left. The baby now is protected by what? The "Spirit". Thats what Jesus Christ preached. When he died and descened to heaven, He sent the "comfortor" (Holy Spirit) Acts.2:38. That why all babies are going to heaven because they are protected by the spirit as soon as the water breaks. The water is no longer needed for protection in life. John The Baptists ministry is no longer protection of water. Your baptized IN the "spirit", in the name of the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.
Water baptism does NOT wash your sins away. Your sins are washed away with the Blood of Christ. Your salvation is made possible by the Blood of Christ. Jesus was crucified on the cross. They did not crucify a bucket of water. A bucket of water did not descend to heaven and send it's "comfortor".
I quoted Billy Graham who always preached that Jesus Christ was the only way of salvation and that’s what this book teaches 400 times in the New Testament. The Philippian jailer cried out in Acts 16:30, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:13 says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved.”
Baptism – thank God I’m not saved by polluted spigot water, but by the spotless blood of Jesus. It’s the blood that makes atonement for the soul and that’s the only way one can get into heaven.
Baptism – wait a minute! Christ came into the world to save sinners, I Timothy 1:15. How did he do it? It wasn’t through baptism for Jesus baptized not. Paul could say in I Corinthians 1:17, “Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel, the good news.” Baptism and the good news are two separate things. It’s the blood of Jesus – period.
Hope this helps.
2006-08-16 15:43:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Baptism is an outward expression of an inner commitment. In most cases, in Protestant traditions, baptism of some form is necessary for a person to become a member of a church. In a few Protestant traditions, baptism is considered necessary for regeneration or being "born again." In the New Testament, there are three baptism traditions: John the Baptist baptized for the forgiveness of sins. The record in Acts indicates that baptism was necessary for entrance into the church. The Apostle Paul, Romans 6, suggests that baptism is a symbolic form of following Christ. The bottom line is, entrance into heaven is by the grace of God, not any forms people can come up with.
2006-08-16 22:12:32 · answer #2 · answered by Robert R 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the bible it says (John 14:6) Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
I have never read anything about baptism meaning that you go to heaven. I know many people that have been baptized and do not believe that phrase. From what I understand you have to believe that Jesus is God in human form and that he died for you sins.
Even Mark 16:16 doesn't say that you have to be baptised, it just says you need to beleive.
2006-08-16 22:14:15 · answer #3 · answered by Lib 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are a Christian, you have been saved by grace through faith alone. It depends on what you want to base your truth on. If you are a Christian, then the infallable, inerrant Word of God is the final answerer. The Bible says that men are saved by faith alone NOT by works. If you had to be baptised, that would be by works. The Catholic church teaches that there are three infallable, inerrant authorities and they include the Bible, traditions of the church and the pope when he is sitting in his "infallability" chair (I cannot remember the name, sorry!). So, if some pope two hundred years ago said that you HAD to be baptized to go to heaven, then it is considered as good as the infallable, inerrant Word of God (AKA The Bible). So, you can see why there is a descrepancy there between the two religions. The Christians believe that it is Grace alone, through faith alone and the Catholics believe that works must be added to that to merit eternity with the Father. Ultimately, while we are on the subject, our goal will be to accept Christ so that we may worship Him and bring glory to him, not just so we can secure our spot in the mansion. Hope this helps.
2006-08-16 22:10:56 · answer #4 · answered by blazer 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is possible to Go to heaven without being baptized. God can make an exception and do as he wishes. He is sovereign. However, you should ask yourself why you would not want to be baptized. It is clearly required if you are trying to be obedient to him. So refusing to be baptized is an act of rebellion. The exceptions of course would be the theoretical guy in the desert who wanted to be baptized but had no water. He dies of thirst and then what? I think that would be an exception. But should we plan to be an exception? Should we teach everyone to be an exception? If your heart is full of love for God then you should want to be baptized. But this should be done only when you are old enough to understand what it means. Old enough to repent.
2006-08-16 22:09:27 · answer #5 · answered by unicorn 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The theif on the cross next to Jesus went to Heaven and he wasn't baptized. Water baptism is a ceremonial command that believers who want to be in God's will participate in. But it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that determines whether or not a person is born again and on their way to Heaven.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. John 3:3-8
2006-08-16 22:18:12 · answer #6 · answered by Martin S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The answer is yes. Jesus told the thief dying beside Him on the cross, " Today, thou shalt be with me in paradise." He didn't mention that he had to be baptized first. Baptism is merely a public statement that you are a follower of Christ, is does not save you.
2006-08-16 22:05:19 · answer #7 · answered by wild1handy 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Two thiefs were crucified with Jesus. One of them repented. Jesus said to him "This day you shall be with me in Paradise." He wasn't baptized.
All people who have been born again should be baptized in water as a way of confessing to the world that they are believers. But water baptism does not save your soul.
2006-08-16 22:07:13 · answer #8 · answered by David S 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes. While baptism is practiced and preached about, Heaven is available for those who believe in Jesus Christ, understand and humbly accept Christ's grace. By accepting Christ into one's heart and acknowledgement of the grace of the sacrifice of the sun of God on the cross as our savior is "the Way" into heaven.
2006-08-16 22:08:31 · answer #9 · answered by ZIAGACITY 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the bible states that you must be born again, which means accepting Christ's death as an act of sacrifice on your behalf, which means when you die you die a righteous person only bcoz of the blood of Christ. dat is the numba 1 requirement 2 get in2 heaven, the bible says 'none can come to the father except through me'
God bless
2006-08-16 22:07:02 · answer #10 · answered by Rhys D 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋