Do you have to be baptized to go to heaven?

Question

Does the bible say you have to be baptized to go to heaven or is that just what certain faiths believe?

Answer 1

This question hits on a topic that demonstrates how Christianity stands out from every other religion in the entire world. All other religions demand us to perform actions that please the higher power. However, the gospel of Jesus Christ is the exact opposite. It teaches that man is unable to attain the status required to relate to the perfect God and so God reached down to meet man where he was. It is simply believing in the finished work of Jesus Christ, who died and rose again to offer himself as the substitute for our sin's punishment that saves us. Simply that, and nothing more. Ephesians tells us we are saved by our faith in God's gracious plan of salvation; and not of any works that we could ever accomplish because then, we could boast that we were good enough to reach God.

Baptism then, is the first act of obedience to Christ, after we have been saved. It is not part of salvation, but rather, the first ordinance that we are given to demonstrate our faith in Him publicly. It is symbolic of death and ressurection from the grave, and identifies us with Christ in front of the world. Again, the Bible teaches that it is not part of salvation. As an example, the theif on the cross who got saved was not baptized, yet Jesus declared to him, "You will be with me today in Paradise."

Answer 2

You must be baptized to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit of God. If you cannot or will not receive baptism into the Family of God as Jesus commanded, then you have a very good chance of falling away from your faith. You will not have the counseling, guidance or the strength of the Holy Spirit to persevere and endure in your faith to the end, in order to receive salvation. You will not mature as a true saint of God and you will not receive the many blessings that go along with being born into the Family of God. For the Christian, the ordinance of baptism is immensely important.

In one action, Christ's death, burial and resurrection are called to mind for the believer and linked to his or her own symbolic "death" and "resurrection" from the "watery grave" to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-6; Colossians 2:12-13). Also inherent in the symbolism is the promise of the believer's future resurrection into the Kingdom of God. The forgiven sinner emerges from the waters of baptism to live a new life in Christ, free from the death penalty incurred by sin. The waters of baptism have symbolically washed away those sins. In this regard, baptism is an outward acknowledgment of the believer's inward intent to yield and submit his or her life to God and His way (Ephesians 4:20-24).

Baptism, which is commanded, must be preceded by faith and repentance (Acts 2:37-38; Mark 16:16). The very symbolism of baptism itself shows a willingness to "bury" the old sinful life (Romans 6:11). Our acknowledgment of guilt and the need for Jesus Christ to save us from the consequences of sin is of paramount importance. This repentance is characterized by a change of heart and action and is based on personal faith in, and a total commitment to, Jesus Christ and God the Father (Luke 14:25-33; Colossians 2:12). Baptism should be entered into only by someone who is mature enough to fully grasp and appreciate the lifelong commitment required. The Bible gives no indication that baptism is appropriate for children.

Baptism is followed by prayer and laying on of hands. This is a part of the process by which we receive the gift of God's Spirit (Acts 8:14-18). It is through the Holy Spirit that Christ lives in the Christian (John 14:16-17, 23; Galatians 2:20). Through this process, the believer is placed into the spiritual Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-13), bringing rejoicing in heaven (Luke 15:7).

The commission Jesus Christ gave His disciples includes the authority to baptize believers (Matthew 28:18-20). So those who have come to repentance through the calling of God (John 6:44) seek baptism for the forgiveness of sins, following the example and instruction of Jesus Christ.

Answer 3

Baptism is a Picture Of a Death, Burial and Resurection....> If you get Baptised , You are showing the world that you believe. However,, The 3rd. Man on the Cross with JESUS, Accepted Him as Lord, and could not be baptised =====But Jesus Told Him : " TODAY, YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE"! (True Story)

Answer 4

Roman Catholics believe if a baby dies before being baptized it goes to Purgatory and not heaven.

Do not believe this myself.

Answer 5

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.

Anything in addition to faith in Jesus Christ as being required for salvation is a works-based salvation. To add ANYTHING to the Gospel is to say that Jesus' death on the cross was not sufficient to purchase our salvation. To say that we must be baptized in order to be saved is to say that we must add our own good works and obedience to Christ's death in order to make it sufficient for salvation. Jesus' death alone paid for our sins (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus' payment for our sins is appropriated to our "account" by faith alone (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9). Therefore, baptism is an important step of obedience after salvation, but cannot be a requirement for salvation.

Answer 6

No,
John 1:16
16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
acts 2:21
21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.'

Answer 7

when you get baptized you have a fifty-fifty chance of going to heaven or hell right... ooops, there's that purgatory factor, too... anyhow, to avoid hell at all costs... don't get baptized and live your life well and do random acts of kindness....

Answer 8

I am Christian - YOU DON'T EVEN NEED TO BE CATHOLIC TO GO TO HEAVEN! You just have to live a morally good life and turn away from sin - however, if Jesus calls you to him, and you turn away - that is a sin and you could suffer later.

Answer 9

No you dont, Baptism is just an outward profession of your acceptance of Christ. Accepting Christ as your Saviour, IS THE ONLY WAY to get to heaven.

Answer 10

in my opinion you don't have to be baptized to go to haven, its what you do here on earth that decides if you go to haven or not, bad people should go to hell and good people should go to haven , it doesn't matter if your black or white ,man or woman, baptized or unbaptized, catholic or Jewish, everyone should have a chance