Do you have to be baptized to go to Heaven? If so, what bible verse says so?

Answer 1

Amazing the answers you are getting. How about some answers from the Bible????? Oh and no one is good, so "being good" isn't getting you into heaven.

I wondered the same thing so I looked up everywhere in the NT where it talked about baptism. It says NOTHING about an outward expression of blah blah blah. Here is the purpose of baptism:

Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus commands all people, in becoming His disciples, to be taught His word and be baptized.

Mark 16:15,16 - He Who Believes and Is Baptized Will Be Saved.

Men say: He who believes is saved and may then be baptized.
The gospel says: He who believes and is baptized will be saved.
Both faith and baptism are essential in order to receive salvation.

Acts 2:38 - Repent and Be Baptized for Remission of Sins

Where does this passage place remission in relation to baptism?

Are sins forgiven (remitted) before baptism or as a result of it? Note that the purpose of baptism is clearly stated: it is for remission of sins.
Consider the parallel to Matthew 26:28.

Acts 2:38 says be baptized "for remission of sins."

Matthew 26:28 says Jesus blood would be shed for many "for remission of sins."

Did Jesus shed His blood because people already had remission of sins? Not at all. He did it so people who did not have remission could receive it.

Likewise, baptism is not administered because people already have remission but so people who do not have it can receive it.

Suppose a person is baptized not realizing that this is the purpose for which he should be baptized. Suppose he believes he was saved before baptism. Would he be baptized in order to receive remission? How could he, if he believes he already has it? How then could his baptism be according to the pattern of God's word?

1 Peter 3:21 - Baptism Saves Us
Galatians 3:27 - We Are Baptized into Jesus

How many people are in Christ? Just as many as have been baptized into Him. What if a person has not been baptized into Him? Then that person is not in Him.

Why is it important to be in Christ?

* Ephesians 1:7 - Forgiveness of sins is in Christ.

* 2 Timothy 2:10 - Salvation is in Him.
Romans 6:3 - We Are Baptized into Jesus' Death

This verse says again (as in Gal. 3:27) that we are baptized into Jesus. But also we are baptized into Jesus' death.

Why is Jesus' death important to us? It was in His death that He shed His blood that saves us from sin! How do we come into contact with it? We are baptized into it!

Acts 22:16 - Be Baptized and Wash away Your Sins
Question: Does one need to repent before salvation or just believe? Same with baptism.
†

Answer 2

The thief on the cross was not baptized.

Baptismal regeneration is the belief that a person must be baptized in order to be saved. It is our contention that baptism is an important step of obedience for a Christian, but we adamantly reject baptism as being required for salvation. We strongly believe that each and every Christian should be water baptized by immersion. Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-4 declares, “Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” The action of being immersed in the water illustrates being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection.

Answer 3

Forget about all the proof texts.

Jesus chose to be baptized.

Jesus said that all need to be baptized by water and the holy spirit.

Jesus commanded the apostles to go out, to teach, and to baptize ALL.

Anyone who doesn't get baptized deserves to live their life wondering.

The authentic church always understood the absolute requirement for baptism, absent the sovereign prerogative of God himself, for all Christians.

Answer 4

No, you don't have to be baptised. The thief on the cross is the best example of this. This thief never was baptised and for the most part, led a sinful life. He simply believed Jesus was God and said: "Remember me Lord when You come into your Kingdom" Jesus answered him: "Today you will be with me in paradise"
Baptism is an outward sign of belonging to the body of Christ, but not necessary for salvation.
Remember, Jesus Himself was Baptised by John, so it is a good thing to do, but not necessary as the example of the thief on the cross proves to us.
God Bless You....Peace.

Answer 5

Read Mark 16:16

Answer 6

No. Baptism is an outward act of obedience symbolizing an inward change. Jesus actually talks about needing the faith of a child to enter Heaven. Just believe and live it.

Answer 7

It is not the baptism that saves you, but your faith, although baptism is very important, and since you are able to, then you should do it.

It washes you of past spititual junk that you dont even know about.

-------------------READ THIS
Someone took a photo of me in the water when i got baptized, and if you look carefully i swear it looks like you can see a face in the water beside me, and it looks like a skull, or a demonic spirit Im being serious! i never knew what it was, but all i know is, im glad it came off me in the baptism tank,
I think it was a Sprit of death, and praise God its gone.

This shows me how important baptism is to any beleiver who wishes to advance spiritually for God, and wash off all the things that hold us back,, But Just be sure its its in the name of the father, son, and Holy Spirit, don't do any of the morman, or Jehovah's witness Cult rubbish. its not of
God.

(-:

Answer 8

I believe it is according to the religion you were raised in. Every religion is different. However, If you lived an honest life God isn't going to refuse you. If you have learned by any mistakes you have made thats whats important. Self redemption. God never gives you more then you can handle and hopefully you can learn from it all and find peace within before you meet your maker.

Answer 9

I'm going to give a not-so-well-informed, personal type answer if that's okay.

I believe that, if there is a God and a Heaven, that you don't have to be baptized to go to Heaven; you simply have to be a good person.

Answer 10

Some interpret Scriptures to say that justification is a legal act of God in which He declares the sinner to be worthy of heaven even though he continues to be a sinful creature. In their view of justification there is no internal renewal or real sanctification whether instant or through a lifelong process but simply an external application of the justice of Christ.

To the Catholic Christians and many other Christians, justification is understood differently. We understand from Scriptures that justification is not the covering of sin but the eradication and the beginning of true sanctification and simultaneous renewal. The soul is transformed into goodness instead of being a sinful soul with sins covered by Christ’s blood. We see Scriptures saying that forgiveness results in a complete removal of sins. The only time the Bible mentions the covering of sin is in the context of one man’s sin being forgiven by another. One should note that we have no power to forgive another’s sin, therefore the context is that we do all we can and cover or overlook those sins against us. In relation to God and His removal of sin the Scriptures use quite different terminology such as “blot out”, “blotting out”, “clears away” and “takes away”.

Catholics see justification as a rebirth and supernatural life in a former sinner:

(Joh 3:5 DRB) Jesus answered: Amen, amen, I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

(Tit 3:5 DRB) Not by the works of justice which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the laver of regeneration and renovation of the Holy Ghost.

That creates an inner renewal of the soul:

(Eph 4:23 DRB) And be renewed in spirit of your mind:

Resulting in complete sanctification:

(1Co 6:11 DRB) And such some of you were. But you are washed: but you are sanctified: but you are justified: in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God.

Through this glorious process initiated by God’s grace the soul becomes beautiful, holy and worthy of heaven where nothing unclean is allowed. It is not an ugly sinful soul hidden under the blood of Jesus but instead one sanctified by Him and created anew for His glory.

There are actually four kinds of Baptism:

Baptism of water
Baptism of blood
Baptism of Desire
Baptism of implicit desire



In Christ