Can I be a Christian if..?

Question

I was never baptized, but my parents were both Catholics, and my Grandfather was a Protestant? I accept Jesus as my savior, and so on, but do I have to be baptized to become a Christian?

Answer 1

What does being a Christian have to do with that? You're a Christian if you believe in Jesus Christ.

Answer 2

Christianity is a tough nut to crack. Sometimes you feel that you have to do one thing but not the other and sometimes you don't feel that you can do anything with out being damned to Hell. So to answer your questions. If you accept Jesus Christ as your ONE true Savior. Then you are a Christian. If you are baptized as a Christian then you are affirming your belief and asking your savior to walk with you and guide you through the power of the Holy Spirit. If you are a Catholic then the Baptism is the beginning of a faith journey within the Church and leads down the road to other Sacraments. Either way I would try to understand why we baptize before deciding if you want or don't want to do it. Don't worry about the if you don't you'll go to Hell attitude that some Catholics have focus more on why we do it and what it will do for you spiritually

Answer 3

Yes, if your a christian read the bible and you would not be asking this question. If you accept Jesus as your savior then you would want to do his will. Being Baptized is showing the world that you are a new being. The best advice I can give you is to study the bible for yourself because as it is written than man will fail you at some time, we sin daily and we are not perfect.

Answer 4

No, but some denominations consider it to be an important part of the process that you should get around to sometime in your life. Some of the early Christians of the first 3 centuries AD weren't baptized until they were on their deathbed, although theological views later changed. Either way though, you're a Christian as long as you accept Jesus as your Savior, but you should get baptised whenever you feel it's the right time...even if you're hydrophobic like I was as a kid...

Answer 5

You do not have to be Baptised. You are saved for eternity by your statement that you accept Jesus as your savior. John 3:16. You may be baptized, though, and you may be baptized privately in many churches since you are an adult. Finding a church home would help to answer many of your questions more thoroughly.
I suggest checking out the Episcopal Church or ELCA Lutheran; both welcoming and non-judgmental churches, with well educated clergy.

Answer 6

Romans 6:3-4 says, "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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."

Several points:
This verse says we are baptized "into Christ". Can you be a Christian if you are still outside of Christ? (See Galatians 3:27 also.)

This verse says that we are "baptized into His death". Christ's death is where the saving blood was shed (Romans 5:8-10). Can you be a Christian if you have not contacted His death?

This verse says at baptism we "rise to walk in newness of life". At birth there is new life. Can we be a Christian if we have not been born into a new life? Can we be a Christian if we are not yet "born again"?

Now about the references to your grandfather and parents:

The Bible says, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him." (Ezekiel 18:20)


"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)

Answer 7

The main thing is you accepted Jesus as your savior. Forget this religious stuff. Jesus was so opposed to legalism. I would get baptized because you want to follow Jesus, not religion. You get baptized as a symbolic way to show you believe and choose to follow him. Remember, Catholics baptize babies, (babies cannot choose Jesus at their age. You are making a conscious decision to do this and I think it's great. I would check out a church that will immerse you in water, as Jesus was, by John the Baptist, his cousin. Assembly of God churches do this.

God bless you.

Answer 8

Many people here have said that all you need to do is accept Jesus as your Lord and savior and that baptism is not necessary.

If you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you will believe and trust what He says:

Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit." - John 3: 5.

Those that say that all you have to do is believe in Jesus and that baptism is not necessary are either not following Jesus or do not understand what He teaches.

Contact me if you have any other questions.

Answer 9

You need to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and by water. Some denominations do it one in the same. I was baptized in both but at different times.

Read the gospels in the Bible and ask God for understanding.

Seek and ye shall find.

God Bless

Answer 10

Matthew 28:19-20 "Go ye and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things, whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo I am with you even unto the end of the age." Although, baptism is not salvation it is a requirement as an outward show typifying the death, burial and Resurrection of Christ.

Answer 11

You need to get baptized in order to follow the way of Jesus. You are already saved.