How important is water Baptism?

Question

It is true that water iself does not contain any saving virtue, but God has chosen to include it in HIS plan of salvation.

Peter explained, " Baptism doth also now save us ( not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
1 Peter 3:21

Does you Church teach the importance of Water Baptism?

I see so many churches doing away with this very very important Step to Salvation.

Even Jesus who was without SIN was Baptized.

Answer 1

the church i go to still believes in water baptism, we believe that water baptism means that you are washing away your old life (so to speak) and are a new creation in Christ. Its not necessary to be baptised to make heaven your home but it is something that Jesus had done and we follow after Him.

Answer 2

“Impossble_Dream” tried to explain away 1 Peter 3:21 by saying the water of baptism symbolizes the washing away of sins. When the context is read, it is seen that the water of Noah’s flood symbolizes baptism that “now saves”!

The water of the flood washed away the old sinful world, and delivered Noah and his family to begin a new life in a new world. It was God that delivered Noah, but he did this through water.

It is at baptism that we enter “into Christ” (Romans 6:3, Galatians 3:27). It is at baptism that we contact His death (Romans 6:3-4, Col. 2:12). This is where the saving blood was shed, so if we do not contact His death, how can we be washed by that blood and be saved?

It is also at baptism that we “rise to walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-13). How can we be saved if we are not born again to this new life?

Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16). Many who have given you answers have said you believe, are saved, then you shall be baptized. This is not the same thing Jesus said. It is not in the same order.

What would Jesus have said if he had meant, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved”? I believe he said what he meant and meant what he said. I believe Jesus! He that does not believe shall be condemned. (Mark 16:16)

Jesus commanded baptism. This should be enough for anyone. Jesus is “the author of eternal salvation unto all who obey him” (Hebrews 5:9). In light of this verse, how can any say baptism is necessary for obedience, but not for salvation?

Answer 3

Baptism is an outward sign of removing the sin and starting anew. Water was a precious comodity during the time of Jesus, much more than it is to us today. The churches in my area still preach the importance of baptism, but I've never been taught that the water itself, was what saved me. If that is the case consider these questions. 1. Can someone accept Christ and be saved on a death bed if water isn't present? 2. Can someone alone in the woods, near death, call upon the name of Christ and be saved and gain eternal life?

Answer 4

Water Baptism is not essential to salvation.

Baptism is not salvation.

There is no regenerating power in Baptism.

Baptism shows,
1. our death to sin and resurrection to new life.
2. Jesus' death burial and resurrection.
3. our own expectation of death and resurrection to life everlasting.
4. following Jesus' commandment and example.


But the long and short of it is, Baptism is the vehicle by which you enter the church.

It is how you are made a church member in the Lords' church. Without baptism you cannot fulfill the Lords' commandment to go into all the world.

There is way too much to go into here, but hopefully this will get you started.

Answer 5

Water Baptism is very important and this baptism does not have to involve a great deal of water, especially if you happen to live in an area where water is very scarce.

The water with the words are what contain saving grace "In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."

But more important is Faith, in everything that the Bible says is true about God and Jesus Christ; this most important to salvation.

Answer 6

First, you left out the first part of Peter's quote which is the important

full verse: 21 1and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge[e]

AND THIS WATER SYMBOLIZES BAPTISM that now saves you.

The Baptism that saves you, is being cleansed of sin, the water symbolizes that.

The importance of water baptism is as important as a wedding for those getting married. How much do you really love someone if you wont show it publically?

Answer 7

Baptism is a necessity of the Christian walk but remember they are talking of full immersion 'not' sprinkling. If one doesn't have an opportunity to be Baptised, say exceptance on their death bed, will they go to hell? I don't think so because it is a matter of the heart and only God knows our hearts.
People are correct in saying that baptism is not to be found in the Old Testament. Sometimes though we tend to ignore the fact that Christ came to fulfill the law and we are no longer bound by it.

Answer 8

I was raised Baptist and what I was taught is that baptism doesn't save. In fact, I was told that a person should be saved before they were baptized, and the baptism itself was a public commitment to a new life in Christ -- a profession of faith.

Jesus didn't have to be baptized, I was told, but it was one of the many things in his life that he did in order to provide us an example of how we should live our lives -- like the Lord's prayer, the Last Supper and the forgiveness displayed on the cross.

Answer 9

Baptism is just like a badge saying that you are a christian it doesn't make you a christian. If a christian died without being baptised they would still enter heaven. The only thing God worries about is whether or not you love him and believe he died for you, baptism isn't a step to salvation, the only thing you have to do to be saved is love Jesus.

Answer 10

Yes, the Church that I am a member of, Christ's Church, follows New Testament law which established the ideal that water baptism is necessary for eternal life! I believe that it says a lot that even Christ himself was baptized although he was sinnless..amazing. Any questions?