2006-10-04 03:25:02 · 19 answers · asked by owner4nothing 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have had this debate with members of my extended family. My immediate family goes to a Baptist church (they would say no), my mom's family goes to a Chritian church (they would say yes), My family goes to a penacostal church (they would also say no). The argument is a very intense in house debate. The Bible tells us to reapent and be baptised. Jesus instructed this once. He also forgave the sins of many (the prosititute, the beggers, the sick) without requiring baptism.
I believe that saying that we must be baptised in order to be saved would be as to say we are saved by our own works. I believe we are not saved from damnation through baptism or even the world's view that all they need to do is be a good person.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever BELIEVES in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
This verse seems to sum up the point of the Bible. It does not say that whoever believes in him and has been baptised, or whoever is righteous, or whoever is kind to everyone and lives a "good life" will be saved.
I believe baptism is the "sign and seal" of your faith. It is instructed to be our first act of obedience to the God we have chosen to believe. It is important, even if not necessary for salvation! If you would not be willing to be baptised by water in obedience to the instructions of Jesus, do you really have faith in Him? You should be baptised just as you should read your Bible, pray, and have faith in God.
The pharisees thought they were righteous because of the things they did to follow the law. Jesus' message was that the world missed the point. It's not about what you do, it's about obedience. The Old Covenenant was not about the laws God gave Moses. It was about the obedience of a nation and God's love for them. The laws were made for Isreal, not God. He wanted to protect them from harm and wickedness.
"Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness." was stated several centuries before Jesus was born or baptism was started by John the Baptist.
If you are not baptised, you are not damned, but I would however question your belief in God. Realize that he is the all powerful, sovreign, creator of everything in the universe and he loves you individually so much that he died for you to keep you from just punishment for your disobience of his commandments. He knows more about you than you do! If he was willing to do that for you, is asking to be baptised too inconvenient?
2006-10-04 03:50:21 · answer #1 · answered by RedE1 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends on who you talk to. Ironically, the Baptists say that baptism is not necessary for salvation (which makes me wonder why they do it if it's not necessary -- they claim it's a symbol of what already happened, but then isn't baptizing someone who is already saved in front of the membership of the church tantamount to showing your good works before men, something Jesus warned us against in His sermon on the mount?) On the other hand, the Church of Christ (NOT the Mormons; I'm talking about the people who don't use instrumental music during worship service) believe that it's through the act of baptism that you come into contact with the blood of Jesus Christ and have your sins washed away.
This is the way I look at it: Jesus Christ was baptized, and as Christians we are to follow His example, right? So why wouldn't you want to be baptized? You may want to read up on the discourse Jesus had with the tax collector in the gospel according to Matthew where He talks about being born again through water and the Holy Spirit. You may also want to read the accounts in Acts that the Apostle Paul gave about his conversion.
2006-10-04 03:33:55 · answer #2 · answered by sarge927 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At John 17:3, Jesus said, "This means everlasting life, their taking in Knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one you sent forth, Jesus Christ." So the first step toward being a Christian is taking in knowledge of Jehovah and his son, and applying what was learned. But it does not stop there. In Matt. 28:19, Jesus' last command to his followers was to "Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, BAPTIZING them." So baptism is a Christian requirement.
2006-10-04 04:08:26 · answer #3 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it will not, but is is required as a profession of faith, and we are supposed to follow Christ's example. There is nothing preventing you from being baptized I assume.
The thief on the Cross on the right of Christ was not baptizd but Christ forgave him of his sins. Before everyone goes off, read the New Testament where Christ was on the cross between the two thieves.
2006-10-04 03:32:23 · answer #4 · answered by Ex Head 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, if your willing to define the word "damned" as stopped, meaning your spiritual progress is stopped...I don't know, I suspect there's a lot of spiritual progress that can be done before a person gets baptized, you might some day, get to a point where you feel stopped with out it though.
best wishes
2006-10-04 03:33:28 · answer #5 · answered by daisyk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is simply a ritual which announces to the community that you are joining them. There is nothing "magical" about baptism. A person is saved solely through his or her faith in God and not by any works of the flesh. If you have faith in God, you need not worry about being "damned", notwithstanding that there is no such thing as "Hell". "Hell" is simply the state of being absent from the presence of God. In practical terms this means that if you don't choose God, after your physical death you cease to exist. God is not so cruel as to torture someone in a burning pit of fire for eternity. He is a loving father and for those who do not choose to be his sons and daughters, he grants their wishes by expunging their personalities from the rolls of existence.
2006-10-04 03:47:28 · answer #6 · answered by Agondonter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not for that. The Thief on the Cross wasn't baptized with water either, and he managed to steal the whole place before ANYONE got in.
2006-10-04 03:29:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't repent you are damed, First you must ask God to forgive you of all your sins through the blood of Jesus Christ & then be baptize according to scriptures whih is complete immersing, In the Name of The Lord Jesus Christ, & be filled with the Holy Ghost
2006-10-04 03:30:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better be saved not baptised. Baptism follows after being saved.
2006-10-04 03:27:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Baptism is an outward expression of faith and I highly recommend it. It is not, however, an absolute requirement. I cite Luke chapter 23 where one of the thieves, crucified with Christ, addresses Him:
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
No baptism. Immediate salvation.
Again, don't just blow it off. I recommend everyone do it.
2006-10-04 03:36:51 · answer #10 · answered by NickofTyme 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋