in regards to my previous question... what does baptism mean, what does it do for you, and why do we do it?

Question

why do mormons belive that they can baptize the dead so they can go to heaven?

baptism is not what gets you into heaven. simple as that. so then why do we do it? it is a public profession. that is all. when you get baptized, you are standing iin front of the church body saying, i have accepted christ, here is a visual of what he has done for me. i was not saved (standing in the ater), i accepted christ and he cleaned me. (dumping under water) and i am now cleaned white as snow (returning from the water). this is what i have been taught. i can accept christ and not be baptized and still go to heaven, so why do you belive other wise? (if you do)

Answer 1

Mormons have a wrong concept of baptism. (They aren't the only ones, unfortunately)

Baptism with John the baptist was a symbol of repenting (turning away from sin) and washing the guilt of sins committed.

After the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, baptism became a symbol of union with Christ (the anointed one). We became one with Jesus. We are baptized into the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - the Name of Jesus. We identify with Him in His death, burial, and, when we come out of the water, resurrection. Not just to our sins that we have committed in the past; but to our sinful nature that we got from Adam.
Since this is a choice that we make, being baptized for someone who has died; who's decisions have already been "sealed" by physical death, is ignorance.

Answer 2

First of all, baptism is not what you do for God. It is what God does for you through a covenant that signifies mortification (since it replaces Old Testament circumcision) and forgiveness of sins. We baptize as a response to His grace toward us. This makes it a sacrament, and since I look at it as something God does for us, infants are naturally included in this covenant. This is a Reformed/Presbyterian belief, but you'll probably get different theology from the Baptist crowd that seems to predominate YA.

Mormons perform baptisms for the dead because of a reinterpretation of a variety of verses. Take a look at 1 Corinthians 15:29. "Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?" -- is taken as instruction by Paul to do so, although mainstream Christian scholars will tell you that this is not at all what it means.

Hope this helps. Good luck in your quest to get an answer that works for you.

Answer 3

Baptizing doesn't save anyone. It's suppose to be an outward show of what has taken place in your heart. Go down a sinner, come up a sinner, if you don't believe Christ and His finished work. It's not a requirement at all, not for salvation. Some people have this as a requirement for their church, which is wrong. Paul said, I came not to baptize, but to preach the gospel

Answer 4

In Acts 2:38, the apostle Paul writes: Then Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized everyone of you for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This scripture signifies that Baptism is a part of the plan of salvation, while the act of baptism itself is not what saves your
soul. The Blood of Jesus and only the Blood Jesus is what cleanses us from our sins. The act of Baptism is symbolic of our having been dead spiritually and are now raised from that spiritual death to walk in newness of life. You are buried with Him in Baptism (Jesus) found in Romans 6:4, and then raised again to walk in newness of life. We are baptized as a public show, as part of our public confession of our intentions to follow Christ.

Romans 6:4 states it this way: Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism in to death: That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in newness of life.

I hope I have somehow helped. this is how I understand Baptism works, and why we do it.

Answer 5

Baptism is the testimony of a person who has confessed Christ as Savior and Lord. It is following the Lord in scriptural baptism, just as He was baptized by John the Baptist.

For Christians it represents.....
Dead & buried to the old sin life,
Raised to new life in Christ.

Answer 6

hey when you start out in a "works salvation" you can add whatever you want... Baptism is a simple picture of your testimony in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Christ and being part of His family... Romans 6:about the first 6 verses or so will help you with that.. as far as the mormons go.. Martin Luther King Jr. said it best and so I quote... "I Have a dream..."

Answer 7

Just like I did with your previous question I will ask....why baptize babies? They can no more accept Jesus or God than a dead person.
Many of the faiths have rituals that nobody else understands.

Answer 8

Some beleive that it cleanses the original sin. Thats why babies get it done..Allot of catholics beleive this to be true from what st peter said..Member even Jesus was baptised

Answer 9

for the dead its ridiculous
baptism is an acceptance of the Saviour where you repent of your sins Cuz He asked us to do it in love for him

Answer 10

Obviously they are wrong. What was wrong with our previous answers?