If I don't become baptized I won't be raptured
2006-10-07 08:15:00 · 18 answers · asked by forbes_jermaine 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
He (Jesus) said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)
Who believes and is not baptized is kind of left out of this equation. Why take the chance?
The Catholic Church believes that Baptism is necessary for salvation for those who have heard the Gospel and have had the opportunity of asking for Baptism.
Therefore
+ Those who die for the sake of the faith without being baptized are baptized by their death for Christ. This is called Baptism of blood.
+ Those who die while preparing for Baptism are assured salvation. This is Baptism of desire.
+ Those who die never hearing of Christ but have sought the truth and does the will of God as they understand it can be saved. This is also Baptism of desire.
+ Children who have died without Baptism are entrusted to the mercy of God.
With love in Christ.
2006-10-07 17:26:38 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Water baptism is the outward visual act of cleansing one's sins and beginning a new "born again" life with a clean slate. By performing this act you are following Jesus's teachings of being a Christian and on your way to eternity in Heaven if you continue to live a Christian life. Most Christians beilieve in the rapture but that they can only be raptured if they are righteous in the eyes of God. And Jesus said in the New Testament, "You must be born again" meaning you must be baptized and follow the 10 commandments for the rest of your life. Then you may enter the gates of Heaven if found to be righteous in the eyes of God.
2006-10-07 15:26:40 · answer #2 · answered by 1stclassgal 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water baptism has nothing to do with whether or not someone will be raptured. Baptism does not save us--it is just an outward acknowledgement that we have chosed to follow Christ. What matters is not water baptism but that you have asked God to forgive your sins through Christ. Jesus said in John 6:37 that He would never turn away anyone who came to Him. And if you belong to Him, you will be raptured.
2006-10-10 19:21:53 · answer #3 · answered by Pastor Chad from JesusFreak.com 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I Peter 3:21
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.
If you truly believe then get baptized. Acts 2:38 says, Repent and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
God has a wonderful blessing for you!
2006-10-07 15:24:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on your opportunity. If you learn from the Bible that you should be baptized like Jesus was and you feel convicted by the Holy Spirit to do so and you have the opportunity to do so and then you decide against doing so, you just might be left out of eternal life. However, the thief on the cross with Jesus was promised a place in the kingdom by Jesus and he apparently was never baptized, so it does not appear to be absolutely necessary when there is no opportunity.
God bless you.
2006-10-07 15:21:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you saved? Did you ask Jesus into your heart? These are the most important questions, not if you have been baptized.
Baptism is a very sweet loving thing to do. Jesus did it, this is why we do it. If you don't feel comfortable being baptized don't do it until you do. It is a public display of what you feel inwardly.
Jesus is our example and He did it. My suggestion would be to pray about it, talk to the Father about it, and see what His thoughts are. This is the beautiful part of being a child of His, we can talk things over with Him and see what He wants.It's all about Him.
2006-10-07 15:23:30 · answer #6 · answered by trainer53 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is necessary for salvation, and the Word makes that very explicit in 1 Pet. 3:21. Acts 2:38 was also quoted by another answerer.
(A fun game to play is to go to a Christian bookstore, pick any commentary, and look up Acts 2:38. It's amazing how many of them write full pages about the importance of repentance, and yet don't mention baptism, as though it's not even there! Too bad it's not really a game, since salvation depends on it.)
Allow me to add Acts 22:16: "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." You can't be saved in your sins. Jesus said that people in sin die. So if you want sin washed away, this verse says how to do it.
The two most common misconceptions about baptism for salvation:
<<1. Acts 2:21 says "that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." So all you have to do is believe.>>
Well Peter said that, and then in the same sermon, the people asked (v. 37) what they should do. Wasn't belief enough? Peter gave a more complete answer in v. 38. Likewise in Acts 16:31, the Phillippian jailer was told to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and in v. 34 we see that he did believe. What happened in between? Baptism is not a show of belief; it's a part of belief!
It is often said that baptism is an outward sign of an inward change, a saving change that took place at the time of belief (mental assent). But if we all agree that belief in Jesus is necessary for salvation, why shouldn't we all believe the words of Jesus in Mark 16:15-16, when our Lord and Savior Himself _tells_ us to be baptized to be saved?! I repeat, baptism is not a show of belief that has happened; it's a part of belief that is happening.
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Nothing could be further from the Truth. Certainly we mortals are not capable of absolving sin, and so no action of ours can save us. But salvation through baptism is not salvation by our power; it's salvation by God's power and on His terms!
This grace is a gift, so it is free, but even a free gift must be accepted. When do we accept the gift of grace and salvation? Read Rom. 6:1-11 to see when we come in contact with the death of Jesus -- the cleansing power of Jesus' blood.
2006-10-07 19:28:44 · answer #7 · answered by HiwM 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water Baptism (Immersion) does not saves a person, yet it is one of the criteria to obtain salvation. Baptism is a requirement in once salvation (for the remission of sin).
Baptism does not restrict anyone from going to heaven, sins, unbelief does.
2006-10-07 15:24:05 · answer #8 · answered by NIGHT_WATCH 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water will not get you in or keep you out. To get to heaven you must be born again and washed in the Blood of Jesus. Jesus is the Living Water. We are baptized in water to show the world that we are followers of Christ, nothing more nothing less.
2006-10-07 15:25:31 · answer #9 · answered by PREACHER'S WIFE 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO, you don't even have to be baptized to go to Heaven. It is just a way to show others that you are a Christ follower. Do you remember the story in the Bible when Jesus was on the cross. There was a thief on a cross next to him, and he became saved. The Jesus said,"To day shalt thou be with me in paradise."
The thief was not baptized, but Jesus said he would be in Heaven.
The only way to get to Heaven is to BELIEVE in Jesus!
2006-10-07 15:21:11 · answer #10 · answered by ____ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋