A survey question for Christians.?

Question

The Bible says this in Mark 16:16 [Jesus said] "Whoever believes AND is baptized will be saved ..."

Does your church teach you that Baptism IS or IS NOT necessary for salvation? Please indicate the "type" of Christian you are.

NOTE: Please don't clutter up the answer section with long explanations. This is a survey question.. not a debate question.

MY ANSWER: I am Catholic and the Catholic Church teaches that Baptism IS necessary for salvation.

"The theif on the cross next to Jesus was saved and never baptized."

The Bible does not say whether the theif WAS or WAS NOT baptized. You are assuming when you say he was not baptized.

Answer 1

I'm a member of the Church of Christ. We maintain that baptism IS necessary for salvation.

We don't need a "ton" of evidence of Jesus saying anything. He only needs to say it once! Mark 16:15-16.

(And while it doesn't refer to those who "are baptized not," there's no need to refer to it in that verse. Those who don't believe will not be saved; how many non-believers will be baptized? So this verse does not imply that baptism is not necessary.)

Answer 2

Most Christian groups contain baptism as a very important element of Christian practice. I am in the Protestant Anabaptist Pietistic line and we only baptize those who made a decision for Christ, infants don't decide, so we don't count that. It is scripturally important, but unless it rained and we accept sprinkling (in my neck of the woods it is total immersion), then the thief on the cross next to Jesus did not get baptized but was accepted nonetheless. Highly important? Definitely. Absolutely essential? No.

Added about the "assuming" the thief was not baptized. Matthew 27:44 has both theives railing against Jesus at the beginning of their end. Luke 23:40 has one speaking up for Jesus. As with the Centurion right after saying "surely this man was the Son of God", there was some time before the observation, the soldiers previously were beating and mocking him. There wasn't time or opportunity to baptize. You would be doing the greater stretch to "assume" he was baptized.

Answer 3

I am a Christian protestant faith and we do not believe a person must be baptized to be saved. If a person was saved through the salvation of Jesus Christ today and were to pass away tomorrow, he/she would still go to heaven.

After we accept the free gift of salvation from Jesus Christ, later when when become baptized it is a "symbol" to others that I have new life through the Lord Jesus Christ to show that the old person has died and been buried, and that a new me has come forth to live a new life with Christ.

Baptism in itself does not convey salvation or transformation, but it is a sign of what has happened in a spiritual sense to a new believer. The water used in baptism is not sacred but is a vehicle to enhance the symbolism of spiritual washing or regeneration. As a symbol, baptism conveys several levels of meaning for a Christian believer. In a most profound sense, it pictures in vivid form the gospel of Christ itself. As the apostle wrote in Romans 6:3–4, a believer is said to be buried into Christ’s death, buried with Christ, and raised to walk a new life in Christ. Only baptism by immersion portrays this spiritual transformation in the fullest sense.

Answer 4

Baptism is a requirement for Christians. In this way they make a full dedication to do God's will. Jesus was baptized which serves as an example for us. Baptism is not the only requirement though. At Matthew 10:22 it says--"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved." and also at Acts 2:21--"And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD (Psalms 83:18) shall be saved." ( See also Romans 10:13 & Joel 2:32)

Answer 5

I have a Pentecostal background.

I don't know that baptism is necessary in order to be saved. The Bible says that if you believe in your heart and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord you will be saved. I feel that repentance and confession that Jesus is Lord is more important to salvation than baptism. However, I do believe that baptism is important and something that each believer should participate in. It is a commandment of Christ. I believe that baptism is an outward sign of a change that has occured within us (salvation).

Hope this wasn't too long for you

Answer 6

Lutheran.
I was always taught at a young age by my pastor that Baptism is the planting of the seed of faith and anyone can baptize under extreme sitiuations.
I don't remember if it's necessary or not in order to be saved. Logic tells me that it would be. But I DON"T KNOW. I don't write the rules.

Answer 7

Assemblies of God
No, baptism is not necessary for salvation. Though, once saved, a believer would want to follow the Lord's command and be baptized. We do not baptize babies. Babies are dedicated to the Lord, but not baptized. One must have made their own independent decision to accept Christ before being baptized.

Answer 8

I don't see a ton of evidence of Jesus sayiing that you have to be Baptized. Most of the people He cured or healed didn't appear to be Baptized. If it had been that important, wouldn't they have made a bigger deal out of it every time Jesus declared someone saved? Perhaps Baptism by the Holy Spirit is required. Our church doesn't teach that it's exclusively required - it is encouraged and highly celebrated however. These are just my perceptions of course.

Peace to you.

Answer 9

I am a Christian (no denomination)
It doesnt matter what a particular denomination teaches it matters only what the BIBLE says about it. But you dont want a long answer...and since I cant answer that without going long...check out this link..

http://www.carm.org/questions/baptnec.htm (long intelligent BIBLICAL answer)

my short answer: Baptism is not necessary for salvation. It is the initiatory sign and seal into the covenant of grace.

Answer 10

I believe we are supposed to be yes.
But not as babies, as John the baptist baptized adults( including a 30 year old Jesus), being reborn into the Christ Consciousness with further learning of God, and consciously moving forward to a sinless life.
I am a loving Christian that's all.
I baptized myself! This same day I found a 4 leaf clover patch in my yard!