Isn't baptism necessary to inheirit eternal life?

Question

If the Bible clearly says "repent and be baptized" and that's what the first Christians did, why do many churches ignore this? If the Bible says it, isn't it logical to, well, do it?

NOTE: I'm not saying that everyone who hasn't been baptized is going to Hell. OK? I'm not God and have no right to judge, so please put down that rotten tomato you were aiming at me. Thank you.

Answer 1

Yes. "Baptism now saves" (1 Peter 3:21).

How does baptism save?

First by bringing one "into Christ" (Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27). There are meny verses that talk about the blessings "in Christ", but these are the only verses I know of that use the phrase and tells us how to get "into Christ". We cannot be saved out of Christ.

Secondly baptism saves by bringing us into contact with Christ's death (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12). 1 Peter 3:21 goes on to say, "Baptism now saves... through the ressurrection of Jesus Christ."
At Christ's death is where the saving blood was shed (Romans 5:8-10). It is this blood that washes away sins (Revelation 1:5)! How can we contact and wash in this blood if we do not contact His death? Saul (Paul) was told, "Be baptized and wash away your sins!" (Acts 22:16)

Third, baptism saves because that is when we are "born again". Can we be saved if we have not been born again? At baptism, we "rise to walk in NEWNESS OF LIFE". (Romans 6:4) How can you be saved if you have not been born into this new life?

Finally, but not least, baptism saves by obeying Christ! Jesus is "the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." (Hebrews 5:9) How can you be saved, according to this verse, if you have not obeyed Christ?

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

Some will tell you that you believe, are saven and then 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 damned". (Mark 16:16)

"And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name." (Acts 22:16)

Answer 2

Well, yes and no. The two are tied very closely together, and if you think about it, the similarities to circumcision in the Old Testament are so closely related, that you cannot ignore the fact that they just might be the same thing, differing only in the way the covenant is administered. The concept of salvation and baptism in the New Testament mirror what happened to converts to Judaism in the Old Testament. They were marked as God's people in a rite that pointed to a cutting off of sins, in the same way that baptism points to the shed blood of Jesus Christ, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and, as the Baptists like to claim, the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior.

Now does baptism itself save you? No, but that doesn't mean that you can latch yourself onto the beliefs of Christianity, 1 foot in and 1 foot out, I want to be saved but I don't want to be marked. That's why I believe that it is for infants just as much as it is for adults, there is no artificial dividing line of an age of reason to argue about. God's property is God's property, no matter what age we are.

Answer 3

No, baptism is not required for eternal life. Salvation is through faith, not works. You believe and you are saved. Baptism is the outward expression of what has happened on the inside. It is also a public display of your commitment to God. Here's one example: The thief on the cross wasn't baptised, but Jesus told him "today you will be with me in paradise." Baptism is not required for salvation because it is just another work of man. Salvation through faith not works. This doesn't mean you shouldn't do good things, it just means, your good works dont save you. Your good works are also an outward expression of what has happened on the inside. email me if you want to to talk about this more.

Answer 4

remember the thief on the cross next to Jesus?
he asked Jesus to remember him when he went to his Kingdom, or (confessed Jesus as Savior) he was not baptized (due to circumstances) and Jesus said to him, this day you will be in Paradise with me.
I think what it was in those days to get Baptized you had to publicly do it resulting in being ostracized out of the temple.
today if you pick a tradition or religion over that it would be the same thing, "Denying your Confession" that's what baptism is a outward confession or a inward profession.

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

Yes, when asked what one must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus said we must "be born again". When asked what that phrase meant, Jesus said that being born again means being born of water and the spirit, an obvious reference to the holy sacrament of baptism.

Answer 7

Baptism by water is one thing, baptism by fire and being born again is another.

~ Eric Putkonen