If you do, why? If you don't, why not? I'm just curious as to what you would say...I'm not looking to argue one way or the other. Just want to know.
2006-09-22 00:46:03 · 28 answers · asked by Shakelope 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Water baptism does not save us; it's just a way of confessing to the world that we are followers of Jesus Christ. Jesus was crucified with two thieves. One of them repented and Jesus said to him "This day you shall be with me in Paradise." He didn't have a chance to be baptized in water. Having said that, I believe that all true Christians should be baptized as an act of obedience and as a way of letting others know that we are Christians.
2006-09-22 00:51:43 · answer #1 · answered by David S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The bible says "If we confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved". Saved from what you might ask? Ourselves, our sin - we cannot have Eternal Life and Heaven without God's forgiveness. So after I believe and truly accept God's forgiveness and love - I can then be baptized. It has nothing to do with my salvation. Baptism is an outward showing of what has taken place inside me, so that other Christians/people may see that I am a new person. Christ already did the changing inside me and I'm just following Christ's example by baptism. I hope this helps.
2006-09-22 09:16:36 · answer #2 · answered by jworks79604 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually for those who think that Catholics are the ones who take baptism too seriously that is almost as wrong as you could get. Catholics, as uptight as they may seem, are actually one of the few branches Christianity who do not feel that you must be baptized to be saved. Most other Christians believe that you MUST find and follow Christ in order to obtain salvation but Catholics generally believe that if you are a "good" person and were not raised with Christianity, you can still be saved.
2006-09-22 07:53:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, the bible clearly states, Mark 16:16 He who believes AND is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.( People overlook that word AND....)
also Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you BE BAPTIZED in the name of Jesus Christ FOR REMISSION OF SINS and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." there are several others...Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and BE BAPTIZED AND WASH AWAY YOUR SINS, calling on the name of the Lord. 1 Peter 3:21 Corresponding to that, BAPTISM NOW SAVES YOU not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
2006-09-22 07:57:49 · answer #4 · answered by K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you repented of your sins, & intended to be baptized, & you get kill in a car wrecK or by some accident, Then God would have to honor his word, That he forgave you of all your sins. BUT if you repent & refuse to be baptize, then you are wrong because Bptism is an outwardly deed to how that you have accepted God through the blood of Jesus Christ, Then you need to be bapitized in the Name Of The Lord Jesus Christ as recorded in ACTS & all throughout the bible, That water baptism is to wash away the sins committed in the body, The Blood is to do away with the sins in the spirit. Then You need the baptism of the Holy Ghost, to put you into the body of Christ. Let me explain this here, Repentance is death to the flesh, Baptism is washing the body of those sins commited, & the baptism of th Holy Ghost is the NEW BIRTH
2006-09-22 08:18:14 · answer #5 · answered by birdsflies 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, baptism is a profession of faith and should be done if possible as was given in example by Jesus himself.
I was Baptized and believe all believers should be baptized but I do not think it is required to be saved.
How could the thief on the cross next to Jesus be in paradise with him if he had to be baptized first.
2006-09-22 07:52:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The theory is...that if you are a Christian -----you would want to follow in Jesus' footsteps and follow his example when He got baptized by John. However, I don't think that being baptized is the ONLY thing that makes you a Christian. Read John 3:16.
(whosoever believes in Him.......) I personally don't believe God would send you to Hell if you were too shy to get baptized or for whatever reason. God is Love, remember. My 3 kids are too shy to get baptized.....but they asked Jesus into their hearts. And I know God will honor them.
2006-09-22 07:50:36 · answer #7 · answered by greeneyes 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Baptism is an ancient tradition that was made a sacrament by Christ, who was also baptized to show us that we should all be. It cleanses us of original sin (the consequence of the fall of Adam and Eve). If baptised after the age of reason (somewhere around 7), it also removes all sins committed and the effects of those sins.
Just as Jesus was revealed to be the Son of God at His baptism, we are made children of God and are given grace through the Holy Spirit and the guidance to live a life pleasing to God.
2006-09-22 07:50:06 · answer #8 · answered by CatholicMOM 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I do not believe that one must be baptised to be saved. In the old testement they used the blood for there sins and in the new test its the same thing. Jesus shed his blood so we can be saved. Hebrews 9:22. I believe we should be baptised but not for salvation. If baptism completes salvation then thats like saying what Jesus did wasnt good enough.
2006-09-22 07:57:59 · answer #9 · answered by iwant_u2_wantme2000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally speaking, yes. Strictly speaking, no.
In the scheme of things, baptism is vital for the church, as a sign of our salvation in Christ. So yes, it is necessary for the salvation of the church.
However, if an individual Christian is unbaptised through no fault of his or her own - e.g. ignorance of the importance of baptism due to false teaching, death on the way to be baptized, honest & unresolved doubts about certain aspects of Christianity etc. etc. - it is not as if that person is doomed to hell.
2006-09-22 07:56:24 · answer #10 · answered by Michael H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋