Why do so many denominations believe that baptism is necessary and that some think that it isnt necessary?

Answer 1

Matthew 28:19: Jesus said, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit."

Mark 16:15-16:
He said to them, "Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 2:38
Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit.

The Catholic Church believes that Baptism is necessary for salvation for those who have heard the Gospel and have had the opportunity of asking for Baptism.

Therefore
- Those who die for the sake of the faith without being Baptized are baptized by thier death for Christ. This is called Baptism of blood.
- Those who die while preparing for Baptism are assured salvation. This is Baptism of desire.
- Those who die never hearing of Christ but have sought the truth and does the will of God as they understand it can be saved. See Romans 2:13-16. This is also Baptism of desire.
- Children who have died without Baptism are entrusted to the mercy of God.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Did you have to open that can of worms?

The bible says in Acts 2:38, "Repent and be baptized every one of you for the remission of your sins and you will receive the holy spirit."
Consider a person who is a lost sinner, having never received forgiveness by Jesus' blood and having never become a Christian. Some churches say that such a person must believe in Jesus and repent of sins, then at that point Jesus forgives his sins (some add that he must confess Jesus).
Mark 16:15,16 - He Who Believes and Is Baptized Will Be Saved.

Some view baptism is not essential to receive forgiveness. Some even clearly teach that one should be baptized after he has been forgiven. The purpose of baptism, they say, is to provide a sign to show others that he has been saved, or perhaps to join a particular denomination.
There are places in the bible that says ,'Believe and be saved" that confession is all that is needed. But here's my question. Is repentance needed also? Or just belief? The bible says, "Demons believe and tremble" So what's the answer?
I say take the entire New Test as a whole.
Men say: He who believes is saved and may then be baptized.

The gospel says: He who believes and is baptized will be saved.
Also the word Baptism MEANS submersion. When Jesus "dipped" his bread in the wine at the last supper the Greek word Baptism was used. Jesus baptized his bread in the wine! We are buried in Christs death during baptism (Romans 6) We are baptized INto Christ. Then we are to walk in newness of life.
†

Answer 3

Baptism of repentance was a common practice at the time of Jesus. This was done by people like John the Baptist.
Jesus told His disciples to Baptize in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. To become a Christian, one must receive this type of Baptism.

Answer 4

Because most people, many Christians included, do not understand exactly what "believe and be baptized" means. Baptized means "to wash", ...so- believe and have your sins washed away (by believing). The baptism we see in a baptistery is just a ceremony of what has already happened in the persons life. When they believed-at that point the Holy Spirit baptized them.- in the spirit.The dip later on is just a public ceremony. The ceremony has no spiritual value.

Answer 5

There are many blessings “in Christ”, including salvation. So, how do you get “into Christ”? Romans 6:3-4 and Galatians 3:27 say one is “baptized into Christ”. Can you be saved outside of Christ?

At Christ’s death, He shed His saving blood for our sins. (Romans 5:8-10) His blood can wash away our sins. (Revelation 1:5). At baptism, we are baptized into His death. (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12) Can we be saved if we have not contacted his death where the saving blood was shed? How can we wash in his blood if we do not contact it? (See Acts 22:16 where Saul was told to be baptized and wash away his sins.)

Many say that baptism is necessary for obedience, and indeed Christ did command baptism (Mark 16:16, Matthew 28:18-20). If we must be baptized to obey Christ, how can we be saved if we are not baptized? Can we be saved in our disobedience? “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” (Hebrews 5:9)

Jesus said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16)

Many say one believes, is saved, and then he should 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 and meant what he said. I believe Jesus! “He that believes not shall be condemned”! (Mark 16:16)

After Jesus gave this command, every example of the conversion of an alien sinner listed in the book of Acts specifically mentions baptism! Faith, love, mercy, His blood, repentance, and confession are all necessary for salvation, but they are not specifically mentioned in every example, but baptism is!

None of these converts ate, drank, slept, nor continued a journey until they were baptized. They were always baptized immediately. This shows the importance and urgency of baptism.

“Baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ!” (1 Peter 3:21 - NASB)

Answer 6

Credo baptists will tell you that salvation and baptism are two separate events, where baptism is commanded by Christ as a sort of add-on to salvation to publicly profess your faith. Catholics will tell you that it removes original sin and so it is necessary in order to gain the graces that will avoid Hell. Presbyterians will tell you that it is the exact same thing as circumcision in the OT except for the form used in its administration.

From each of these concepts, you get different views on its necessity.

Answer 7

Its not like 'baptism' is a christian concept...Passing from a state of tameh (impurity) to tahor (purity) according to Torah involved bringing the prescribed sacrifices and purification through tevillah (immersion), a washing by water in a mikvah.

With the Christian denominations, it is more of a matter what or how they 'connect' or 'relate' their ritual practices. Some traditions don't want ANYTHING to do with the torah or 'old laws' or 'jews', while others imbrace them as a sense of history. Basically, its a matter of INTERPETATION which creates their definitional idols that make up their sect.

Answer 8

Let me clarify it for you presently; it is not what xyz denomination says or does not say about baptism that matters; it is what Jesus says that matters. Whether one is 'dunked' in a baptistry, or walks thru the Red Sea on dry ground (1 Cor.10:2) or the thief on the cross, they were all baptized in water; the difference is perspective.

Answer 9

John the Baptist baptized Jesus, even when Jesus had no need for it, but He did it because it is a symbol of faith. Therefore, we should baptize. Now, whether you sprinkle or immerse, it does not matter, but it is an outward symbol that you have committed your life to Christ. Some people think it isnt necessary because it doesn't save you - they say it is between you and God whether you accept Christ or not. But, following in His footsteps, we should, since we are Christians, followers of Christ. You must be born again... it is symbolizing that you are washed of your sins and are now a new man (or woman) in Christ.

Answer 10

There is much confusion about baptism in the various Christian denominations. However, this is not a result of the Bible presenting a confusing message on baptism. The Bible is abundantly clear of what baptism is, who it is for, and what it accomplishes. In the Bible, only believers who had placed their faith in Christ were baptized - as a public testimony of their faith and identification with Him (Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4). Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience after faith in Christ. It is a proclamation of faith in Christ, a statement of submission to Him, and an identification with His death, burial, and resurrection.



With this in view, infant baptism is not a Biblical practice. An infant cannot place his or her faith in Christ. An infant cannot make a conscious decision to obey Christ. An infant cannot understand what water baptism symbolizes. The Bible does not record any infants being baptized. Infant baptism is the origin of the sprinkling and pouring methods of baptism - as it is unwise and unsafe to immerse an infant under water. Even the method of infant baptism fails to agree with the Bible. How does pouring or sprinkling illustrate the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?



Many Christians who practice infant baptism do so because they understand infant baptism as the new covenant equivalent of circumcision. In this view, just as circumcision joined a Hebrew to the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, so baptism joined a person to the New Covenant of salvation through Jesus Christ. This view is unbiblical. The New Testament nowhere describes baptism as the New Covenant replacement for Old Covenant circumcision. The New Testament nowhere describes baptism as a sign of the New Covenant. It is faith in Jesus Christ that enables a person to enjoy to blessings of the New Covenant (1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 9:15).



Baptism does not save a person. It does not matter if you were baptized by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling - if you have not first trusted in Christ for salvation, baptism (no matter the method) is meaningless and useless. Water baptism by immersion is a step of obedience to be done after salvation as a public profession of faith in Christ and identification with Him. Infant baptism does not fit the Biblical definition of baptism or the Biblical method of baptism. If Christian parents wish to dedicate their child to Christ, then a baby dedication service is entirely appropriate. However, even if infants are dedicated to the Lord, when they grow up they will still have to make a personal decision to believe in Jesus Christ in order to be saved