Is baptism necessary?

Question

To be a christian, do HAVE to get baptized?

Answer 1

In the 21st century I think most intelligent people would understand that baptism is nothing more than a symbolic gesture of what is thought to be an inward catharsis.

Historically the practice is related to the expression of a belief in resurrection or reincarnation.

Answer 2

There are many who have experienced the reality of being made a member of Christ's body through faith in him, without ever having been baptized. The thief on the cross is a notable example. There was a man hanging beside the Lord Jesus, dying. He saw something in Christ that marked him as different. He saw that the kingship, about which people were mocking, was no joke at all, that here indeed was a king. Here was a man of authority, a man who had power beyond this life. So he spoke these very revealing words: "Lord, when you come into your kingdom, remember me," (Luke 23:42). That is an amazing thing to say to a man who is dying: "when you come into your kingdom..." But he recognized that Jesus was going somewhere, and he said, "When you get there, remember me." And the Lord Jesus said to him, instantly, "... today you shall be with me in Paradise," (Luke 23:43b). The thief soon died. He had no opportunity to be baptized, yet he was a member of the body of Christ. Therefore, the symbol does not necessarily do anything for you.

Well then, why have the symbol? Primarily, because the Lord commanded it! If you want to read that command you can turn to the last verses of Matthew's gospel. On the same occasion when Jesus referred to the coming baptism of the Holy Spirit, he also said to the disciples:

"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them..." (Matthew 28:18b-19a RSV)

That is his command to the disciples. They could not baptize with the Holy Spirit; the only baptism they could perform is with water. The command continues:

"...in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..." (Matthew 28:19b-20a RSV)

One of the things he had just commanded them was to go and disciple the nations and to baptize them. So the disciples were thereby commissioned to teach people to be baptized.

"...and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." (Matthew 28:20b RSV)

- Ray C. Stedman
THE MEANING OF BAPTISM
http://www.raystedman.org/misc/0278.html

Answer 3

Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved". (Mark 16:16)

Some say you are saved before or without baptism. In essence they say, he that believes and is saved shall be baptized.

This is not the same thing Jesus said. This is not in the same order.

If Jesus had meant "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved", what would he have said? I believe he said what he meant and meant what he said! I believe Jesus! "He that believes not shall be damned!" (Mark 16:16)

In fact, every example of the conversion of a sinner recorded in the New Testament after Jesus rose from the dead and made this statement, specifically mentions baptism. Faith, Love, Grace, Mercy, Repentance, and Confession are not mentioned in every example, even though they all are necessary for salvation, but baptism is mentioned every time!

Also, no convert either ate, drank, or slept until he was baptized. It was always immediate! This shows the importance of this step in the plan of salvation.

Baptism is "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38) and puts us "into Christ" and "into his death" (Romans 6:3-4, Gal. 3:27, Col. 2:12). When we contact his death, we contact (and our souls are washed in) his saving blood, because that is where that blood was shed.

Many verses talk about the blessings "in Christ", but the only verses that use the phrase "into Christ" say we are "Baptized into Christ". To leave out baptism, is to leave out the step where we get "into" Him. We cannot be saved outside of Christ!

Answer 4

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

CCC 1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. (John 3:5) He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. (Mt 28:19-20)

Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. (Mk 16:16)

The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit." ("born again")

God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.

BAPTISM OF DESIRE:

CCC 1260 ... Every man who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his Church, but seeks the truth and does the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it, CAN BE saved.

It may be supposed that such persons would have desired Baptism explicitly if they had known its necessity.

Baptism by pouring and immersion:

CCC 1239 ... Baptism is performed in the MOST expressive way by triple immersion in the baptismal water. However, from ancient times it has also been able to be conferred by pouring the water three times over the candidate's head.


NOTE: Those who use the thief on the cross as an example are only assuming. The Bible never tells us he was or was not baptized.

Answer 5

No. Baptism is an outward showing of what has happened inside your heart - the Holy Spirit within you, you receiving salvation and believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to be baptized to show others that we have accepted the free gift of Christ - but that does not have anything to do with salvation.

Answer 6

If you want to be a Christian, then yes, it is necessary. If you don't then no.
My nephew died of SIDS when he was 3 months old. He wasn't baptized and the priest told his already devestated mother that he would never see God because he wasn't baptized.
So if that's something that's important to you and your beliefs, I would say do the baptism, whether it's a child or an adult.

Answer 7

I am the only child out of four that was not, I think I will be o.k. and I beileve that if I am not then it was my mothers faith unto me... Not sure why I never had been and she is now a metaphysical reverend...???!!! I could have myslef baptised but I haven't been for this long and there must have been a reason that I was not... So I probably never will be. Sometimes I wonder if I should be ut always go back to no I think I'll be o.k. God has been very powerful in my life and has shown me things that make me beileve that he is is real. But I still think he will eccept me if he wants to and not send me to hell just b/c I had not been.... The bible also states that sins will be forgiven so will i burn in hell I doubt it!

Answer 8

Some will tell you "No," but they say it with no authority.

John 3:5 Except a MAN be born of the water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Some argue that you were born of the water as at birth and therefore do not need baptism, but Christ says a MAN must be born of the water AND of the spirit.

Answer 9

In Acts 22:16 we read-AND NOW WHY TARRIEST THOU? ARISE, AND BE BAPTIZED, AND WASH AWAY THY SINS, CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD. Here, it is clear--water baptism after believing on Jesus is a command.
Jesus began His earthly ministry by being baptized. Mt 3:13-15-THEN COMETH JESUS FROM GALILEE TO JORDAN UNTO JOHN, TO BE BAPTIZED OF HIM. BUT JOHN FORBADE HIM, SAYING, I HAVE NEED TO BE BAPTIZED OF THEE, AND COMEST THOU TO ME? AND JESUS ANSWERING SAID UNTO HIM, SUFFER IT TO BE SO NOW: FOR THUS IT BECOMETH US TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS. Note, John the Baptist made the statement, "I HAVE NEED TO BE BAPTIZED." All who believe on Jesus have a need to be baptized by full immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
We see in Acts 16:30-33 that as soon as they believed, HE TOOK THEM THE SAME HOUR OF THE NIGHT... AND WAS BAPTIZED. You are not to be baptized unless you believe on Jesus and repent; but as soon as you do, you are to be baptized.
The Bible tells us of Saul (also known as Paul) in Acts 9:18-HE RECEIVED SIGHT FORTHWITH, AND AROSE, AND WAS BAPTIZED. He did not delay, but got baptized as soon as he was able.
We see a great baptism, in Acts 2:41, as-THEY THAT GLADLY RECEIVED HIS WORD WERE BAPTIZED: AND THE SAME DAY THERE WERE ADDED UNTO THEM ABOUT THREE THOUSAND SOULS. Again, we note there was no delay. Once they believed, they got baptized.

Answer 10

yes. however if you don't believe and don't want to confirm your relationship with Christ yet, don't. don't so it becuase you think it's what you HAVE to do, it should be a comingling of spirits you WANT to do : )

God bless you in your decision!