I go to a church that is non-denominational (Churches of Christ) and I believe that baptism is necessary for salvation and makes u a Christian. However many of my Christian friends are in denominations and they don't believe in the necessity of baptism, and I also worry for my non-Christian friends as well.
Please help! I'm sick of worrying for them all the time...I dun want them to go to Hell...
2007-05-22 04:17:17 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My friend it is your church that is wrong. Dead Wrong!!! Leave that church now. My Bible teaches that we are saved by grace through the shed blood of Jesus Christ and not by ANY religous works and that includes Baptism. Baptism will not save you. This is one of the reasons I am against the non-denominational types of churches. They make up stuff and teach lies.
2007-05-22 04:29:39 · answer #1 · answered by mxcardinal 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Stanley, I believe the way "Lion of Judah" is telling you about baptism being a covenant, but you have to remember that baptism is so closely tied to salvation, as circumcision was to any conversion to Judaism in the Old Testament, that the two are tied together. New Christians want to be baptized to be marked as God's "property." The thief on the cross is often mentioned as a "proof text" for baptism not being absolutely necessary, but if you think about it as a covenant, then the thief being a new believer, would have suffered that much more from not being able to bear the mark of God as he entered into the kingdom. Even if you don't look at it from this viewpoint, perhaps your friends may want to know that salvation and baptism are very, very closely related, to the point that you can't have one without the other!
2007-05-26 17:10:29 · answer #2 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many people go to great legnth to explain why the Bible does not mean what it says. (For an example, see the extremely long answer from "Lion of Judah".)
The Bible says baptism "saves" (1 Peter 3:21)
The Bible says at baptism we come "into Christ" (Romans 6:3-4) We can't be saved outside of Christ!
These verses say we are "baptized into His death". This is where the saving blood was shed and offered for our sins. We can't be saved if we have not contacted that blood!
Romans 6:3-4 also says at baptism we are born again "to rise to walk in newness of life". We cannot be saved if we are not born again!
Jesus said, "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved"! (Mark 16:16)
Some will say you believe, are saved, then you shall be baptized. This is not the same thing Jesus said. It is not in the same order.
What would Jesus have said if he had meant "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved"? I believe he said what he meant! I believe what Jesus said! I believe Jesus! "He that believes not shall be condemned." (Mark 16:16)
Jesus commanded baptism. "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Hebrews 5:9)
In light of this verse, how can some say that baptism is necessary to obey Christ, but it is not necessary to be saved?
Baptism is "for the remission of sins", "unto the remission of sins", or "so that your sins will be forgiven". (Acts 2:38 - these quotes depend on which translation you read, but they all say the same thing.)
I hope you NEVER stop worrying about the lost! Continue to "preach the Word... ( 2 tim 4:1-4). Not all will heed it, in fact most will not (Matt. 7:13-14), but you may save some!
2007-05-23 15:55:07 · answer #3 · answered by JoeBama 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The washing of water does not gaurantee you to go to heaven it is just a symbol that represents the washing away of the old you and bringing you into the new as you accept Christ as your savior. If you baptize a hundred times and your heart did not change when you went down into the water you are going to come up still an unchanged person.I personally believe in baptism but not until you are sure and you have really accepted him as your savior. it is wonderful that you are concerned for your friends salvation but they are old enough to understand do not force anything on them God never forces anyone He is a gentle man and as for your non-christian friends dont worry just keep loving and praying for them.
2007-05-29 09:37:54 · answer #4 · answered by Dovesss 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If baptism is required to meet the divine after death, well how sad that millions of innocent children all over the world are going to burn in hell. Yup, neglected Russian children in overcrowded orphanages, starving infants in Africa, and plenty of non-denominational kids here too in North America.
Tell me where this place you refer to called Hell exists? Is it beneathe the earth's crust? Sorry souls are sweating pools and rivers as they toss shovels full of coal into earth's hot molten core. Is that it? Tap one cloven hoof for yes. Pssst, there has never been any need for a devil. Mankind does a real fine job perpetuating evil on its own. I think it's sad anyone fears condemnation from God. Hey, that's what people are for.
2007-05-29 19:09:13 · answer #5 · answered by reeksofhoney 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your belief is strong and obviously sincere since you are willing to take the abuse that is being thrown at you now. God will judge others. As a Christian, you do not have to do that. I know it can be a heavy burden that non Christians and those that make God be what they want do not fathom. Model love and maybe someday you will be able to explain why you believe that Acts 2:38 is literal. Do not let your faith waiver in order to relieve your heart.
2007-05-28 16:33:53 · answer #6 · answered by TAT 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A baptism does not make you Christian...many people have been "dunked" and I am sure did not go to heaven.
Christianity is a matter of the heart...is your heart right with God...no outward action can gain your way into heaven.
2007-05-22 04:23:51 · answer #7 · answered by G.C. 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Baptism is a sketchy subject. You cannot add anything to God's grace. There have been people that have died and surely didn't have the opportunity to be baptised. I believe that if they truly trusted in the finished work of Christ, they are SAVED. End of story.
2007-05-22 04:24:20 · answer #8 · answered by Soundtrack to a Nightmare 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the morale of the story is religion causes stress... what if you looked at life as life and no "salvation" for an after life... then you would have the freedom to just accept your friends as they are... You have choices... why not respect your friends choices... it's not up to you to "save" them... religion seems more to devide us than unite us.. so don't let what people tell you make you sick... life is for the living not the dead... enjoy the people you like while you are here now and together...
2007-05-28 17:28:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is very nice of you to have a heart of compassion. that is what a real friend does. the best advice I can give is to intercede for them, start giving God the praise that he is touching your no christian friends, pray that your other friends will have a change of heart and get baptized, and last of all 1 Peter 5:7 cast your cares on him and receive his peace, let God take control and let God be God, have faith he will do it, God hears your prays, and knows your heart in time you will see a change in both side of your friends, walk in the love of Christ, and be humble with them you see the change be patient and keep believing he is god is gonna do it I will pray with you
2007-05-29 17:41:23 · answer #10 · answered by Pastor Martinez 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋