2006-11-01 14:19:27 · 24 answers · asked by zildjianz_z 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Absolutely not! That's just an outward expression of something that's taken place internally!
2006-11-01 14:21:40 · answer #1 · answered by lookn2cjc 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes. Baptism is necessary for salvation.
Consider the example of Jesus Christ - He himself was baptized.
Why was He? Not because He had any sins, but He did it (for one reason) to show unto us how important it is...and He said to "follow Him" so if you truly want to follow Jesus Christ you need to be baptized.
It is also stated very plainly in the scriptures that it is necessary for salvation: Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
It is also necessary to be baptized into the correct Church, and also to be baptized by a true Priest (one who actually holds the authority of the Priesthood recognized by God).
2006-11-02 00:46:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will need to define which kind of baptism you are thinking of... it is stated that one shold be baptised ...and I personaly beleive that one should be emmersed totaly... and as soon as practical after ones Salvation... but there are other views... I just happen to beleive what i beleive... But one is Baptised in The holy Spirit when one receives ones free gift of Salvation from God... The water baptisim is a public demonstration of a private act between God and the individual... a very much debated subject though
All who come to God in The Way He proscribes will receive His free gift of salvation.... I know this for absolut certainty.... if there is not time to perform the water baptism befor the saved one faces mortaldeath...it will not matter if the "cerimony" of water baptism has been done... Once God has given the free gift of Salvation the receiver of that gift is assured a place in Heaven for ever... it is an irrevolkable gift.
2006-11-01 22:30:19 · answer #3 · answered by IdahoMike 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Depends on if you believe the bible or not. Here is just a little sample of what the bible says on the subject.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved:; but he that beleiveth not shall be damned.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus( by the authority of) for the remission of sins, and ye shall recieve the gift of the Holy ghost.
The people asked what we must do to be saved and the above was Peters answer.
Romans 6:3,4,5,6- Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed that henceforth we should not serve sin.
The above passeges claim that at baptism is when we are buried with him put off our old self and raised to a new life and are crucified with him. Now that is not me talking it is the bible.
First Corinthians 12: 13 - For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles whether we be bond or free: and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Galations 3:27- For as many of you as have been baptized ito Christ have put on Christ.
That verse claims it is baptism that clothes us with Christ and have put on Christ. again this is not me, but the bible speaking.
One last verse first Peter 3:21 the like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good counscience toward God) by the ressurection of Jesus Christ.
Remember this is not me, but the bible speaking.
2006-11-01 22:46:02 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Have you read Acts 2:38-39? How about Mark 16:16? There are more but I don't have time to go thru! Look in a concordance and look for all the scriptures that mention Baptism!
2006-11-01 22:28:56 · answer #5 · answered by panda 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The Bible clearly says that no-one will enter the Kingdom unless he is born of water and the spirit, a phrase which the Christian Church has recognized from the very beginning as referring to the holy sacrament of Baptism.
2006-11-01 22:53:39 · answer #6 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Mark 16:16 it says that you must be saved and baptized, but if you are truly saved you should want to be baptized, it is something we do in obedience to Christ.
Christ said Matthew 28:19 it says Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
Also in the book of Acts all that were saved were baptized, and there were a bunch of them.
So it is something that you do or want to do if you are truly saved and obedient to our Lord and Saviour.
2006-11-01 22:40:24 · answer #7 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is commanded in the Bible and Christ demonstrated it in His example. All conversions after the church was founded (Act 2, day of Pentecost) involved baptism (immersion in water) for salvation. Also, in Romans, it talks about being buried with Christ in baptism. Grace is what saves us, but God has always asked His people to obey Him. I don't understand why people struggle with this so much. God says it, we do it, no problem. Of course we're not earning salvation, Noah didn't earn being saved from the flood, but a willing obedient heart is required by God for salvation. Love you all!
2006-11-01 22:28:44 · answer #8 · answered by Beka K 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Did the criminal on the cross next to Jesus have time to be baptized after He accpted Christ before he died on the cross? Because the thief believed Jesus told the thief that on this day he will be in Paradise with Him.
(ref Luke 23)
"Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, F156 save Yourself and us." 40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
2006-11-01 23:27:46 · answer #9 · answered by unknown 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, no. People take Baptism to mean the literal dunking into water, I think that the meaning of baptism and salvation is one in the same. Water is water, nothing really holy about it...
2006-11-01 22:32:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Scripture says yes...
1. There were NO CHRISTIANS DURING JESUS' LIFETIME.
2. JESUS' MINISTRY WAS TO JEWS LIVING UNDER THE LAW.
3. Jesus had the power to forgive sins on the earth. Matt. 9:6 "I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”
4. The ONLY book which tells us how to BECOME CHRISTIANS is Acts. Other books in the New Testament were written to people that were ALREADY CHRISTIANS.
5. It ALWAYS tells of new Christians being IMMEDIATELY BAPTIZED... EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, IMMEDIATE! (Acts 16:33)
6. In the same sermon, the first Gospel sermon, Peter quotes Joel, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Ac 2:21) then goes on to EXPLAIN WHAT IS INCLUDED in 'calling on the name of the Lord.' "When the people heard this, their hearts were filled with shame. They said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “All of you must turn away from your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then your sins will be forgiven. You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:37-38)
If 'calling on the name' is all that is needed, then baptism and repentance would not be mentioned. CHRIST TAUGHT THAT VERBAL ASSENT WAS NOT ENOUGH. Matt 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do what my Father in heaven wants will enter."
In the context of Acts 2, 'calling on the name' is DONE THROUGH REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM.
The 'thief on the cross' WAS A JEW LIVING UNDER THE LAW... Jesus COULD FORGIVE SINS!
Paul talks about not being saved "by works," generally meaning the sacrifices and actions commanded in the law. Baptism is not a work done BY the person, but something done TO them. Peter clearly teaches that it is not about water, but the heart.
To claim that one is saved without doing anything goes against Jesus' teaching in Matt. 7:21. Claiming that baptism is some meritorious work whereby one EARNS salvation denies teachings of Jesus, Peter, Paul... at many places in scripture.
Acts 2:38 describes baptism as LEADING TO the forgiveness that we have IN CHRIST. Ephesians 1:3ff tells of the blessings we have IN CHRIST. Romans 6:3 ("All of us were baptized into Christ Jesus. Don’t you know that we were baptized into his death?") teaches that we were BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST. It does NOT TEACH that we confessed INTO CHRIST or believed INTO CHRIST, or even repented INTO CHRIST, but we WERE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST.
Scripture is very clear, but many have been misled by false theologies. Jesus taught that OBEDIENCE WAS ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION, Matt 7:21. It is a simple thing, JUST DO IT!
2006-11-01 22:26:29 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋