2007-04-14 19:00:37 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Few truths are so clearly taught in the New Testament as the doctrine that in baptism God gives us grace. Again and again the sacred writers tell us that it is in baptism that we are saved, buried with Christ, incorporated into his body, washed of our sins, regenerated, cleansed, and so on (see Acts 2:38, 22:16; Rom. 6:1–4; 1 Cor. 6:11, 12:13; Gal. 3:26–27; Eph. 5:25-27; Col. 2:11–12; Titus 3:5; 1 Pet. 3:18–22). They are unanimous in speaking of baptism in invariably efficient terms, as really bringing about a spiritual effect.
Protestant early Church historian J. N. D. Kelly writes, "From the beginning baptism was the universally accepted rite of admission to the Church. . . . As regards its significance, it was always held to convey the remission of sins . . . we descend into the water ‘dead’ and come out again ‘alive’; we receive a white robe which symbolizes the Spirit . . .the Spirit is God himself dwelling in the believer, and the resulting life is a re-creation. Prior to baptism . . . our heart was the abode of demons . . . [but] baptism supplies us with the weapons for our spiritual warfare" (Early Christian Doctrines, 193–4).
The Letter of Barnabas
"Regarding [baptism], we have the evidence of Scripture that Israel would refuse to accept the washing which confers the remission of sins and would set up a substitution of their own instead [Ps. 1:3–6]. Observe there how he describes both the water and the cross in the same figure. His meaning is, ‘Blessed are those who go down into the water with their hopes set on the cross.’
Here he is saying that after we have stepped down into the water, burdened with sin and defilement, we come up out of it bearing fruit, with reverence in our hearts and the hope of Jesus in our souls" (Letter of Barnabas 11:1–10 [A.D. 74]).
Peace and every blessing!
2007-04-14 19:10:44 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes. Sorry for cutting and pasting. I don't usually do this:
"Theologians distinguish a twofold necessity, which they call a necessity of means (medii) and a necessity of precept (præcepti). The first (medii) indicates a thing to be so necessary that, if lacking (though inculpably), salvation can not be attained. The second (præcepti) is had when a thing is indeed so necessary that it may not be omitted voluntarily without sin; yet, ignorance of the precept or inability to fulfill it, excuses one from its observance.
Baptism is held to be necessary both necessitate medii and præcepti. This doctrine is rounded on the words of Christ. In John 3, He declares: "Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he can not enter into the kingdom of God." Christ makes no exception to this law and it is therefore general in its application, embracing both adults and infants. It is consequently not merely a necessity of precept but also a necessity of means.
This is the sense in which it has always been understood by the Church, and the Council of Trent (Sess, IV, cap, vi) teaches that justification can not be obtained, since the promulgation of the Gospel, without the washing of regeneration or the desire thereof (in voto). In the seventh session, it declares (can. v) anathema upon anyone who says that baptism is not necessary for salvation. We have rendered votum by "desire" for want of a better word. The council does not mean by votum a simple desire of receiving baptism or even a resolution to do so. It means by votum an act of perfect charity or contrition, including, at least implicitly, the will to do all things necessary for salvation and thus especially to receive baptism... "
2007-04-15 02:04:30 · answer #2 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 0⤊ 4⤋
No it is not. Baptism is a work and that would go contrary to ephesians 2:8,9. Although we are commanded to be baptized. Baptism is mandatory but will not affect your salvation. It is simply a symbolic confession of yours being saved by Christ. Its a public confession of sorts.
2007-04-15 02:05:59 · answer #3 · answered by Vinny Sacco 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
No! Most definitely not!! Our salvation lies in Us and in our actions...We can save ourselves! Not by putting water on your head and saying a prayer...To think that those Babtised will be the only ones saved is absolutely RIDICULOUS!!
we are all accountable for our OWN Sins NOT someone elses....Do you really think God is that UNFAIR?? No! or course not!! Lead a good life and help people and you will find your salvation!
2007-04-15 02:09:28 · answer #4 · answered by January00 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Water baptism is no where demanded in the Bible for salvation, it is encouraged in the scripture, but in no wise stated as a requirement.
2007-04-15 02:06:04 · answer #5 · answered by PilotGal 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
No. Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
2007-04-15 02:04:20 · answer #6 · answered by Red neck 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
if you mean water baptism, no....but baptism by Holy Spirit and "fire" is..
.Luk 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
the proof of this is also evident in the thief that was crucified next to Christ. He was not baptized with water yet Jesus told Him....
Luk 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
The Holy Spirit (the spirit of truth) baptized this man. he realized that Christ was blameless and he was not....
Luk 23:40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
Luk 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
Luk 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
What is the fire? Your conscience, providing the evidence you know is true.
2007-04-15 02:10:39 · answer #7 · answered by Kenneth 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IMO, It's not necessary to be baptized for you to go to heaven. It doesn't change you any... It's just a way to show others that you're fully committed to God.
Mind you, I've never been baptized myself, but I fully trust in Jesus! (I plan to get baptized this summer, Lord willing.)
2007-04-15 02:07:25 · answer #8 · answered by daytonafun_tim 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. Baptism is ones public display of their choosing to follow Christ.
2007-04-15 02:06:03 · answer #9 · answered by † H20andspirit 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Let's give God a little more credit than that. Suppose person #1 has never hurt anyone in their life and has done nothing but help people and give to charity and volunteer, but they are not baptised. Person #2 is someone who is baptised, but they have done nothing but sit on the couch and watch tv and go to the mall and buy stuff. They screwed people over to get ahead at their job and make more money, and they only look out for themselves. Do you really think God is going to send person #1 to hell while accepting person #2 with open arms? Wouldn't it make more sense for God to look at the acts of the individual person and the impact that person had on the world while they were living in it?
2007-04-15 02:08:29 · answer #10 · answered by Reject187 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋