is it okay to have not been baptised, even though i am currently becoming a better and more faithful person in the name of god, i want to know if i need to be baptised, i believe in the holy spirit and follow in his name, and i know baptism is important, i believe in the afterlife and heaven and a dark place in which sinners do enter, to be punished for all eternity
i want to know if by not being baptised, am i in the path of decision over heaven and hell, am i leaning towards the other side of jesus by not being baptised?
if so...should i get baptised, what will happen if i dont?
2007-02-02 23:02:25 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved". (Mark 16:16)
Some will tell you that a person believes, is saved, then he 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 believes not shall be condemned." (Mark 16:16)
Every example of a conversion in the Bible after Jesus gave this command specifically mentions baptism. Faith, love, grace, repentance, and confession are all necessary for salvation, but they are not mentioned every time, but baptism is!
Also, in all of these examples, the converts were always baptized immediately! None of these converts either ate, drank, slept, or continued a journey until they were baptized!
Notice the conversion of Saul (Paul) (Acts, chapters 9 and 22). On the road he spoke to Jesus. Saul called him "Lord" and asked what he needed to do to be saved. Saul was told to go into the city and there he would be told what he "must do". (Acts 9:6) While in the city, he fasted for three days and he prayed (Acts 9:9-11).
Some will tell you he was saved at this point, but he still had not been told what he "must do" to be saved.
Later he was told "be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord". He had been praying for three days, but he still needed to "call on the name of the Lord". This phrase means he needed to rely on the authority of the Lord to be saved. To rely on his authority is to follow his instructions. Jesus instructed "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved."
"Calling on the name of the Lord" is needed for salvation (Acts 2:21), but obviously this is more than saying "Lord" and it is more than praying and fasting. Saul had done these things, but he still needed to call on the name of the Lord by submitting to His authority. Calling on the name of the Lord means to submit to His instructions. It involved doing what is commanded. Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) Jesus is "the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him." (Hebrews 5:9)
Notice that even though Saul had nothing to eat or drink for three days, he was baptized at once, even before he took food! (Acts 9:18-19) This shows the urgency of baptism!
Also, Saul's sins had not been washed away until he had been baptized. We cannot be saved while our sins remain.
Only the blood of Christ can wash away sins. This blood was shed at His death. (Romans 5:8-10) Romans 6:3-4 teaches us we are "baptized into His death" (See also Colossians 2:12). This is when we contact his blood and are saved.
Romans 6 also says we are "baptized into Christ" (See also Gal. 3:27). We cannot be saved outside of Christ!
Many verses talk about the blessings "in Christ", but the only verses I know of that use the phrase "into Christ" say we are "baptized into Christ". This is how we enter "into Christ".
Also at baptism we "rise to walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4). We cannot be saved if we have not been "born again" into this new life in Christ.
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)
2007-02-05 13:09:27 · answer #1 · answered by JoeBama 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many Christians [including me] do not think it is necessary to be baptised, but it a very good thing and important. Jesus mentioned being baptised several times. However, I do think that people have certainly gone to heaven without benefit of baptism.
If you can get it done, though I would advise you, even compel you to do it. It is a symbol and physical sign of your inward transformation, from a sinner to a believer. The washing away of your sin. Also, Jesus said that those who declare His name before men [which is an aspect of baptism], He will declare him/her before His Father and the angels in heaven.
And find a bible following, Spirit guided church! Blessings.
2007-02-02 23:26:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water Baptism does not save---it is a sign of the covenant that one makes with Jesus Christ. If you are a believer, then you have been baptized by the Holy Spirit and you are saved. Holy Spirit baptism is what counts. You should be publicly baptized in a church or a church gathering as a public show of commitment to Jesus Christ. Those that teach that water baptism saves and that if a person is not baptized in water that they will go to hell are on the wrong track---they are teaching something that is not in the Bible.
2007-02-02 23:12:08 · answer #3 · answered by Preacher 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is a public and outward symbol that you have received Jesus into your heart and have asked that your sins be washed away. The day you asked Him to come in and do that, He did. One day, you will want to be baptised and belong to a fellowship of believers. Some who have accepted Jesus cannot physically be baptised. But if you are able to be, you will experience a great sense of peace and love because you are making a public profession of your love for Jesus.
2007-02-02 23:15:16 · answer #4 · answered by Mrs.Blessed 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
What will the mayor think of you if you live in the city but have your address listed elsewhere? This analogy can be applied to baptism, where you are "marked" for God's kingdom, and should want to do so as a Christian.
Credo baptism looks at this rite as a statement of faith, and therefore not entirely necessary. However, covenant theology looks at it as "the new circumcision" with the same meaning as was applied to God's people in the Old Testament. In other words, it's what Christians do as children of God.
2007-02-03 10:41:04 · answer #5 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is a public profession of faith. It is a personal decesion one makes after being saved to let others know you are following in the footsteps of Christ. Not being baptised is not doing as commanded by our savior, but according to the bible wont keep you from entering heaven, but if really a believer, why not follow His instruction.
2007-02-02 23:16:02 · answer #6 · answered by Ricki L 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jesus told Nicodemus that you cannot enter into the kingdom of God unless you have been born of the water (baptism) and of the spirit (Holy Ghost).
Peter tells us in Acts that you must repent, and be baptized in Jesus Name for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the Holy Ghost.
While you can't go to heaven based on works, you must obey the scriptures. Water baptism in the name of Jesus, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost are absolute musts.
2007-02-03 07:39:52 · answer #7 · answered by Jesus is the Way 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
St. Mark 16:16 He that believeth & is Baptized shall be saved, But he that believeth not shall be damned, Acts 2:38 Repent & be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ everyone of you for the remissions of sins(sins that is done in the flesh) & ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. I can also point out many places Apostle Paul told them that was baptized under John's baptism to be baptized over again, & Jesus was Baptized, Not for remission of sins Because he had no sin, But to set an example for us to follow. So Yes you need to be baptized, In the name Of The Lord Jesus Christ
2007-02-02 23:21:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Where infant baptism has become the form in which this sacrament is usually celebrated, it has become a single act encapsulating the preparatory stages of Christian initiation in a very abridged way. By its very nature infant baptism requires a post-baptismal catechumen ate. Not only is there a need for instruction after baptism, but also for the necessary flowering of baptismal grace in personal growth. The catechism has its proper place here. "
2007-02-02 23:16:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are certainly on the right track here,you have to know the importance of Baptism and recieve this life giving sacrament.
Baptism washes away the stain of original sin that every human being is born with,it makes you a member of the mystical body of Christ and allows you to be an heir to the kingdom of Heaven, so many benefits for such a quick and simple exercise, you would be indeed foolish not to partake of it.
In a nutshell,no Baptism= no Heaven.
2007-02-02 23:12:37 · answer #10 · answered by Sentinel 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Baptism is not optional. It was commanded by Christ. The lack of baptism doesn't send you to hell. Its the refusal to comply with the decree of the Lord. If the opportunity presents itself, please make sure to follow Christs word and be baptized in the name of the "Father, Son and Holy Spirit"
2007-02-06 06:18:16 · answer #11 · answered by arikinder 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋