do you have to be baptized to get into heaven?

Question

why is it so important to be baptised to get into heaven? What if you are baptised when you're a baby? But won't you sin when you get older? because I mean between the time when you got baptized when you're like a baby and now, you would have sinned. Everybody does. Does that mean you have to get baptized again when you get older? what if you are not baptized at all, and you don't really do anything bad your whole life, does that mean you go to hell or what?

Answer 1

This ritual is good for sales and sales are good for business.

Answer 2

This is the reason many faiths have certain rites like confirmation when you reach12 or a certain age, so you are able to reason and make a choice.

In certain tribes around the world it's associated with the coming of age like barmitzvah's in the Jewish religion, but I believe there
is a difference between Christening as a baby, and becoming
baptized as an adult.

Also everyone on earth has not heard about the Christian faith
and in the new days of Jesus return they will learn these things and be given a choice to accept or not, which should be much easier seeing that satans tied up for a thousand years, and not to mention the fact Jesus is on earth to instruct you, but the good book says EVEN then some will choose not to follow Christ!

There is a definition for the word "hell"--means the grave, and one
more intresting fact there will still be some folks ALIVE when Christ returns. So I really don't see why there is so much emphasis placed on baptism, other than the people that follow the baptist religion, or the folks that admire John the Baptist!

Answer 3

The short answer is yes, because that is how God has established entering into an eternal relationship with him. Of course, it is God who does the saving, not the act of baptism itself (nor anything else), so in the end it's always in God's hands. In terms of normal life, baptism (water baptism, mind you... baptism comes from the greek word baptizo, which means to immerse) is the point in time you are saved through faith in Jesus. Here are a few quick verses, mainly pointing out that this is the time when your sins are forgiven:

Acts 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.'

Acts 22:16 'And now, what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.'

I Peter 3:21 '... and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God.' (note - the water being referenced is the flood... the flood symbolized baptism)

Just because you got wet doesn't mean you got baptized. Heck, just because you got baptized doesn't mean you got *baptized*. I was baptized when I was 4... had not a clue about anything going on. Did that have any spiritual value or meaning for me? Of course not. I got baptized when I was 22... that was a different story. It was my faith at baptism that saved me.

Answer 4

The purpose of baptism is not salvation. It is an outward sign that you have accepted Christ as your Sin-bearer and Savior. You cannot get into heaven through baptism. It doesn't work like that. Check out these verses: Acts 4:12, Acts 16:31b, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9-10
These show you that the only way to get to heaven is by faith in the saving grace God has given through His Son Jesus Christ.

Answer 5

Jesus said, " unless you are born in water and spirit you cannot enter the kingdom of God." So YES. You have to be baptized, either as a baby or as an adult. This is your way of entering the Church of Christ. Of course, you will sin after baptism. All men and women sin. Asking God's forgiveness is necessary after every sin . That is what confession is for. You ask the priest or minister to forgive your sin in God's name. That is biblical. You are only baptized ONCE in your life.If you intended to be baptized but died before getting one, you will still go to heaven because you meant to do so . It si called baptism of desire. Talk to your priest or minister for more help regarding baptism.

Answer 6

The true answer depends upon YOUR particular faith. Baptizing can mean either becoming an adult, or a purification/(blessing). Although all Christian religions acknowledge baptizing, the exact timing can vary slightly. Some baptize very young children, with others waiting until young adulthood. Agian, the sin question depends upon your faith. Some denominations, Roman Catholic, beleive that one must confess their sins to a church elder. Others beleive that accension to heaven is through good deeds. So I supose the answer, to all of your questions, is what makes sense to you?

Answer 7

Baptism does not wash away your sins, Jesus Christ does, if you ask Him into your heart to save you from sins penalty.

Baptism is a good thing to do, AFTER you have been washed of your sins, before means nothing. Some people get saved but never get baptized because they don't get the opportunity, and they die. They are saved by faith in Jesus, so they go to Heaven.

infant baptism has NO VALUE AT ALL.

Answer 8

In full and true Christianity, baptism is essential for eternal life, for Jesus Himself said that no-one can enter the kingdom without it. In Protestantism, the original significance of baptism has been rejected, and it has been reduced to a mere human gesture by which we demonstrate our faith in God, rather than a sacrament through which God changes us fundamentally, and floods us with saving grace, which is how every Christian on earth understood it until a few hundred years ago. While baptism is necessary for salvation, it is not a guarantee of salvation, for as you said everyone sins. Repentance and confession of sin is also necessary for salvation.

Answer 9

In the end, if you were not baptized do not waste your time/money doing it.

Baptism is required, however, as it washes away the "Origional Sin" that the mythological beings "Adam" and "Eve" committed by eating the apple of the tree, thereby taking away the human's races privilage to immortality and closing the gates of heaven.

Answer 10

Wow you have alot of questions, an I thank God He placed me in the position to answer them. Ok, well first of all its important to be baptised because it represents your new birth in Christ. See by are sinful by nature, by our lineage, our fathers sinned, our fathers fathers sinned and so on and so forth, but when Jesus died on the cross He gave us the opportunity to become Sons and Daughters of God so now we have a new lineage, with a New Father, a perfect Father who can make us righteous by His rightouesness. Baptism represents the re-birth into the family of God. Now as far as getting baptised at birth, I personally dont believe in it because baptism has to be a conscious decision you make for yourself, not one that people can make for you. Now the part about sinning when you get older, your right you will sin, but thats why Jesus died on the cross for you so He can wipe your sins away, see we can claim His perfect sinless life instead of our sinless life. I suggest your read Romans 8 for further understand in this point. An to answer your last question its great for you to live a life where you dont do anyting "bad" (which is pretty much impossible) but it wont get you into heaven. Doing good deeds wont get you into heaven, just by stop sinning and doing wrong will not get you into heaven. See sin is a disease and the bad things we do happen because they are the symptoms of the sin. Lying stealing and cheating wont send you to hell, you lie, steal and cheat because your going to hell. So yes you can treat the symptoms of a disease, but does the disease really go away? You have to attack the disease at the center core problem, with the only cure, which is having a strong relationship with Christ. As long as your close to Him, He will cover your sins, jus keep your eyes on Him. BUt like i said read ROmans 8, and God Bless.

Answer 11

Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Math 28:19
Jesus told these to His disciples. Doing what He said is very important, since God sees your efforts you take to come near to Him.
I was unaware of these things and I led my life according to my wishes, but there was no real fulfillment I needed. But the love God showed was eternal, no one can ever show that love. Its better to ask God to baptise us with His Holy Spirit and wait and recieve it. You will know when you recieve it, it will give you joy, peace and fill us with that everlasting love...
I baptize you, "In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit" that you may receive what God has planned for you.