Can someone be born again before having a water baptism?

Question

Or only after?

Answer 1

Baptism is something a Christian does as an "outward" sign of and "inward" faith that one now has in Christ Jesus. One should get baptized when they give their life to Christ but your salvation is not based on that. The thief on the cross didn't have a chance to get baptized but Jesus said "today, you will be with me in paradise." Again, you should get baptized. Why wouldn't you? But if for some reason you don't, that would not prevent you from spending eternity with the Saviour. Unfortunately, many churches teach that if your not baptized you can't be saved, Its just not true.

Answer 2

Yes, in fact I would say it is vital to be born again first and foremost. When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in the Bible in John 3:1-21, he is speaking of being born again - no mention is made of water baptism. In order to see the kingdom of God - one must be born again. It is important to do this so that ones trespasses and sins will be forgiven. Also good verses to read are Ephesians 2:8, 9 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. And then the thief on the cross that hung next to Jesus at Calvary was a good example of his faith and acceptance of Christ into his heart - he was not able to be baptized.
Water baptism is something you can do after you have been born again as an outward expression of your new found faith in God - but baptism alone will not get you into the kingdom of heaven - only faith, being born again, and a walk with Christ will get you there. God Bless!

Answer 3

The water baptism repsents rebirth into christianity.
From water we came, and from water we shall be reborn.
Of course I am a wiccan priest who was reborn into my faith as well with a ritual that incorporated all five of the sacred elements, but the part of the ritual concerning water is very similar to the form of baptism a lot of christian denominations use.
But yes a person can be reborn into Christ before having a water baptisim. When one first prayes to the Lord Jesus to be forgiven and accepted in his arms and counted among the saved they are baptised in the blood of his sacrifice.
You may not want to here this from a Wiccan, but before I became what I am now I was an ordained protestant minister until I found my true calling.

Answer 4

--If you are referring to receiving holy spirit as proof that one is born again, THERE INDEED WAS SOMEBODY:

(John 3:4-5) “. . .” 5 Jesus answered: “Most truly I say to you, Unless anyone is born from water and spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. . .”

--BUT IT would seem that THE RECEIVING of holy spirit in the miraculous way was indeed the important aspect of being born again, WHERE AS water baptism & preaching, teaching activity is an outer demonstration of ones dedication to God!

Cornelius, the centurian of Acts 10

(Acts 10:20-23) “. . .” 21 So Peter went downstairs to the men and said: “Look! I am the one YOU are seeking. What is the cause for which YOU are present?” 22 They said: “Cornelius, an army officer, a man righteous and fearing God and well reported by the whole nation of the Jews, was given divine instructions by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear the things you have to say.” 23 Therefore he invited them in and entertained them.
. . .44 While Peter was yet speaking about these matters the holy spirit fell upon all those hearing the word. 45 And the faithful ones that had come with Peter who were of those circumcised were amazed, because the free gift of the holy spirit was being poured out also upon people of the nations. 46 For they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter responded: 47 “Can anyone forbid water so that these might not be baptized who have received the holy spirit even as we have?” 48 With that he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they requested him to remain for some days"

--BEING THAT Cornelius's situation was a turning point of the opportunity for gentiles to become part of the Christian congregation(arrangement, not church organization) Peter had to see special proof(he objected to the angels message) that indeed God was accepting the Gentiles!

(Acts 10:34-35) “34 At this Peter opened his mouth and said: “For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, 35 but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.”

Answer 5

In Christian baptism, there should be two requirements before a person is baptized: (1) the person being baptized must have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior, and (2) the person must understand what baptism signifies. If a person knows the Lord Jesus as Savior, understands that Christian baptism is a step of obedience in publicly proclaiming his faith in Christ, and desires to be baptized – then there is no reason to prevent the believer from being baptized. According to the Bible, Christian baptism is simply a step of obedience, a public proclamation of one’s faith in Christ alone for salvation. Christian baptism is important because it is a step of obedience – publicly declaring faith in Christ and commitment to Him, and identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Answer 6

You must be born again to inherit the kingdom of heaven.......baptism is only the public acknowledgment of your faith in Jesus....baptism won't save you.....being born again, accepting Jesus into your heart and belief in His work on the cross is the only way to the Father.

Answer 7

Being born again is a spiritual thing and a conscious decision. Being baptised is just outwardly showing what you have decided by publicly doing this ritual. so yes, you are born again before baptism.

Answer 8

Baptism is a symbol that a person has already been born again. It shows that a person has chosen to die to their old way of life, buried with Him, and rise to a new life.
Being baptised and being born again are two separate things.

Answer 9

In Acts 8:32-39, we find Phillip leading an Ethiopian to Christ. Phillip tells the Ethiopian that he may be baptized if he believes Jesus with all his heart. The Ethiopian confesses that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Then he is baptized.

So the order is first born again (through faith in Jesus Christ), then baptism.

Answer 10

Some believe salvation must come first--then Baptism
Some believe baptism at birth
Some believe baptism is a part of salvation