Why do so many Christians think you don't need baptism?

Question

Ephesians 4:5 One faith, one Lord, one baptism.

John 3:5 5.Jesus answered saying, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. read 3-5 for better understanding.
Acts 2:38,
Acts 22:16,
Galations 3:27 and many others.

Even Jesus was baptized and He is perfect. We are to follow Him and become like Him.

I never said, baptism alone saves anyone!

If Jesus was talking about the 'water' as many of you interpret it, He would have said womb.

Matthew 3 15-17

Answer 1

You're right, if it's not needed, why would it be a commandment of Christ? Therefore it can't be looked at as an ordinance. It must be a sacrament.

And, if it's got that much importance to it, it can't be a mere symbol or profession of faith. If that were the case, communion would be nothing but a snack. The only thing left is baptism as a covenant, i.e. a replacement for circumcision, God's rite rather than man's attempt to gain any merits for heaven.

Answer 2

I accept that baptism is an act of obedience. Where we may disagree is Salvation does not come because of baptism. If you are born of the Spirit, the Spirit lives in you and you have received Salvation even before you have been baptized.
However you should still be baptized as an act of obedience.

Born of water and the Spirit. Exactly what does that mean?
Jesus elaborates further by saying that which is born of the flesh, is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.

Born of water was a metaphor for born of the flesh.
Ask any woman what water has to do with birth.
If a woman's water breaks they have to get the baby out pretty quickly.
Born of the Spirit means to receive the Holy Spirit into your everyday life.

grace2u

Answer 3

That is a major misinterpretation of John 3:3-5. If you go back and read that again, you will see that Jesus is referring your physical birth when He says you need to "be born of water and the spirit".

In Paul's letters, he was referring to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Please read the verses more carefully next time, and try to keep them in context. Also, don't pose a question for the sole purpose of dividing Christians, there is already enough of that without you adding to the fray. Grace.

Answer 4

Baptism is commanded, but not necessary for salvation. In the New Testament, they were Baptized to identify with Christ upon believing. Believers should be baptized, just like we should be obedient to any other command of the Bible.

You have to watch your references to Baptism. There is spirit baptism which is the one time act by which we are placed by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ, and there is water Baptism which serves to identify us with Christ in a public way. Not all presentations of the gospel or statements of belief included baptism. They were closely tied, but the fact that we have those that do not preach or require baptism for salvation shows us that this is not a requirement. It would fall into the category of a work.

Believers should be Baptized to make a public confession of the inward work that Christ has done in their lives.

Answer 5

Being baptized by submersion is obviously an act of dedication to a new life, burying the self and resurrection to life in Christ. No where is it said that it is mandatory for salvation. The passage you refer to 'of water and of Spirit' is as much reference to physical human birth, as anything else. To assert that water baptism is needed for salvation makes Jesus a liar, as we know He told the thief on the cross that he would join Him in paradise.

Such legalistic 'demands' are the very same failings that Jesus rebuked the pharisees of in the Hebrew Temples! :)

Answer 6

Water baptism doesn't save you. True heart faith and confession does.

But, water baptism is necessary as an act of obedience, act of faith, and to be a witness.

Some people don't have the oportunity to be water baptized, so isn't necessary for salvation.

Baptism is necessary to grow in Christ and show commitment.

John 3:5 isn't writing of water baptism, but being born of the water bag, as further explained in the chapter. The first person is born of water & flesh and the last person is born again, of His Spirit. Water baptism represents this new birth in Christ.

Answer 7

Yes....many many others:

Especially Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Baptism is the New Birth.

Answer 8

I believe we are to be baptized in all possible circumstances, but I wonder about the thief on the cross. Did Jesus lie when He told the man "This day you will be with me in 'Paradise'"?
Or how about the thousand who did not have the opportunity for water baptism? Is Jesus unfaithful in seeing them receive His promise?

Answer 9

Jesus was not perfect because the purpose of baptism is to remove sin. So when was baptized this is what he was doing- removing the sins from his earlier life which is not found in the bible.

Mar 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Answer 10

Those who lean unto there own understanding of scripture are leading others astray and blinded by their "pride!" But this has to occur for the Kingdom of God is coming to this earth and establish His way as the only way.

Pride is man's downfall. The End of the circle of man's self rule will be the beginning of Christ's Kingdom but that "pride" must be broken first!