if you love the lord and pray everyday and believe that the lord jesus is the answere why do you have to get baptized?
2006-11-27 07:22:53 · 30 answers · asked by janechz9 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Community Service
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward faith. Christ calls us to surrender to Him, through faith alone. Baptism is only an avenue through which Christians make others aware of the decision they have made to become a Christian. While Baptism should be strongly encouraged, because of the external witness it provides, it can by no means be considered salvific. You are saved through faith, not by works, lest anyone should boast in themselves. (Ephesians 2:8-9).
2006-11-27 07:33:46 · answer #1 · answered by Ben 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
will you still go to heaven if you don't get baptized?
if you love the lord and pray everyday and believe that the lord jesus is the answere why do you have to get baptized?
Well there are two questions...and the one kinda answers itself. Let me answer the (easier) second one first.
if you love the lord and pray everyday and believe that the lord jesus is the answere why do you have to get baptized?
Well, if you love the lord and pray everyday and believe that the lord jesus is the answer...then it's just what you do. It's pretty clear in the bible that baptism is a good thing that makes god happy(ie helps us to serve gods purpose).
For the second question,
will you still go to heaven if you don't get baptized?
Let me start out by saying...only christ knows the party list. However, there are examples in the bible (ie the robber on the cross) where we know that an unbaptized person can go to heaven only by belief in Jesus. But, also, there is also ALOT of examples in the bible of Jesus and/or the disciples baptize other people. So...just looking at scripture I would say that if you can...you should...it can only draw you nearer to him. If you don't/can't then I think it's up to him and what he reads on your heart. You may be an exception (like the robber)...you may not. There are plenty of people that are 'sorta' believers...lukewarm spirtually. People that like the idea of things...but just don't want to make time for that relationship with Christ. I really don't know if these people will be in heaven. But I know if you are on fire spirtually for christ...someone who makes time for him and the relationship (ie get baptized) then I can say that the bible tells me you and I will be in heaven...at the party...together with him. If you can...I really encourage you to take that step. It really is the most wonderful..life changing thing you can do. Then you can stop wondering and just know.
2006-11-27 15:56:36 · answer #2 · answered by Joshua W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes you will still go to heaven if you don't get baptized, if you truly believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a way of showing the world that you love him by following him and getting baptized.
2006-11-27 15:27:50 · answer #3 · answered by SPC. Martin 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
So according to many of the answers I have read here, someone who is baptized gets a straight pass to Heaven regardless of how they live their day to day life while others who may not be baptized but live a good and just life do not? Does that sound fair? My personal belief (as a non-Christian, non-anything but not atheist) is that what matters most is how you live your life. It doesn't matter if you believe in God or tha Jesus died for your sins. If you lead a life that is spent in service to your fellow man and you try your best to leave the world better than you found it, then you go to Heaven or whatever your idea of afterlife may be. God (or whatever you call your higher power) is benevolent and kind to ALL, not just his devout followers. Only he knows the true character of your heart and soul and it doesn't matter if you have been sprinkled with water and go to church
2006-11-27 15:45:22 · answer #4 · answered by Punkie'sDad 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The simple answer is... Because Jesus said to (in Mark 16:16)
"Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
Furthermore, in matters of your own salvation, please go by what is written in the "Book", not what others "think" or "feel".
Other important verses to consider:
Jesus clearly commanded people to be baptized (Matt. 28:18-20) ...
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit"
In act 2:38... Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
answer to a question from Jesus to Nicodemus in John 3:5:
Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
2006-11-27 16:07:10 · answer #5 · answered by Daniel W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, the bible says that God created man in his image, isn't it much more likely that man created God in his image? That the rules were made up as we went along and that living life as an example and treating others with respect and concern is a lot more important than a ritual?
I am not going to directly answer your question - you need to think this through on your own. For instance, if a hermit, living remotely in some unknown Andes region took in travelers in need, fed them, etc. and lived what we would consider a good life but never heard of Jesus - would God exclude him? Pretty much the same as your question which could be rephrased "does religion matter as long as you strive to do the right thing every single time, no matter how hard it is?".
2006-11-27 15:38:55 · answer #6 · answered by piggly_wigglyus 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you truly love Him then you feed His sheep and follow His law.
Being believer baptized is an outward open expression of your making a physical choice, stating loud and clear, "Yes, I love you LORD and I will follow you."
It's your own choice.
This is freewill.
If you love someone so much, you marry them and place a ring on your finger to symbolize the joining of two in marriage.
Such is the outward expression of being baptized by faith.
Do what you must, I am not your judge.
I am only trying to help you understand the process is yours.
Search your heart.
2006-11-27 15:28:56 · answer #7 · answered by elibw 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The reason is in the bible. The story of Jesus being babtized. Basically the "Church" telling all that if you're not babtized you will be sent to Hell or your spirit will remain in limbo until the time comes.
Personally I feel that it doesn't / shouldn't matter if you're babtized or not. Live your life to the best of your ability and when your time comes to be judged, you have a 50/50 chance for heaven. BUT...here's a question you SHOULD ask....Do you believe there's a Heaven and a Hell? If so, why?
2006-11-27 15:39:15 · answer #8 · answered by dragonlady042 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What you need to go to heaven is have a relationship with God...and by doing that try to repect him by trying not being a sinner and when u make sins ask forgiveness...and God love is unconditional so hes always there for you...Its good to get baptized but its something i just dont look into
2006-11-27 15:34:50 · answer #9 · answered by dricedrice 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus made it quite clear that everyone reaches the kingdom of heaven. EVERYBODY. Regardless of religion. You don't have to get baptized. That's a rite to join the church, but not a requirement placed by God to get into heaven. If you believe it is, you probably belong to a denomination that demands baptism anyway, thus this is a pointless question.
2006-11-27 15:31:47 · answer #10 · answered by longnosedquoll 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It depends on the denomination that you belong to. Baptism is required but not necessary. In other words, God is not limited to his own requirements and can save anyone in any way that He pleases.
Most fundamentalist churches believe that baptism is just an outward sign of your commitment to Jesus Christ.
Catholics and Orthodox Christians as well as Lutherans, Episcopalians, Methodists, Anglicans and a few other denominations believe that baptism removes sin (MK 1:4; LK. 3:3; Acts 2:38), that it saves a person (1 Pet. 3:21) and that it brings new life (Romans 6:4; Col. 3:21). Baptism (for the groups listed here) also makes one a member of the Church and of God's holy Covenant. Because of this, all of these churches insist on infant baptism....because God simply first loved us. True, an infant cannot speak for itself, but neither can the 8-day old Jewish child at his circumcision! The mainline Protestant groups, the Orthodox and Catholics ALL have the ritual of Confirmation whereby the person publicly declares their faith in God as practised through that particular church. Just as a 13-year-old Jewish male (12 for girls) takes on responsibility for themselves at 13 (or 12), so the Confirmed person also takes upon him/herself responsibility for their actions.
When Jesus said to "believe and baptized", he was very clearly talking to adults only.
Baptism also imparts saving grace to help one on their journey in this life. Without baptism there cannot be any indwelling of the Holy Trinity.
"I have found my Heaven on earth, for Heaven is God and God is in my soul". Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity
Hmmmmmmm....with all of the Scriptural "proofs", I wonder why fundamentalists don't believe that baptism forgives sin or leads to regenerative life?
2006-11-27 15:44:23 · answer #11 · answered by The Carmelite 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋