Do you believe that you have to be Baptised?

Question

The Church i go to does not believe that you do. And I definitely do not. But the youth group i attend does. so most of my friends do. but i'm not very good at learning and memorizing scriptures and such. so i want you to tell me if you think that one must be baptised in water inorder to truly be saved by jesus christ, or do you think that accepting him in your heart is good enough? and back it up with scriptures please so that i can use those scriptures.


btw: if you don't believe in either one, don't comment.

Answer 1

Yes. See 1 Peter 3:20-21, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12, Mark 16:16, Hebrews 5:9, Galatians 3:27, etc.

Let the Bible answer your Bible question!

(If you want a further explanation, please e-mail me or read some of the articles I have linked below.)

Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)

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

Jesus told the apostles, "thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. " (Luke 24:46-47)

In Acts 2, beginning at Jerusalem, men were gathered together from every nation (verse 5), and Peter preached "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins."(verse 38) Exactly as Christ had commanded.

Jesus commanded baptism. (Mark 16:16, Matthew 28:18-20) Baptism is in the name of, or according to the authority of Christ and "for the remission of sins", "unto the remission of sins" or "so that your sins will be forgiven". (Acts 2:38 - quote depends on which translation you read)

Baptism places one "into Christ" and "into his death" (Gal. 3:27, Col. 2:12, Romans 6:3-4) We cannot be saved outside of Christ.

At his death is where the saving blood was shed. We cannot wash in that blood until we contact his death.

At Baptism we "rise to walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4) We cannot be saved if we are not "born again" into this new life.

Jesus commanded baptism! "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him!" (Hebrews 5:9)

If you love Christ, you will keep his commandment to be baptized for the remission of your sins! Jesus saves those who obey him.

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

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 what Jesus said. I believe Jesus! "He that believeth not shall be damned." (Mark 16:16)

Some point to the thief on the cross. The thief on the cross lived under the Law of Moses. He lived and died BEFORE Jesus rose from the dead and gave the command about baptism. He could not have obeyed a commandment that had not yet been given. He could not have been baptized "in the name of Jesus" or according to the authority (instructions) of Christ, because Christ had not yet given those instructions.

Also, as I pointed out earlier, baptism is how we come into contact with Christ's death. The thief was there! He had direct contact with Christ at his death. We are not in that position. Baptism is our appeal to God.

Notice 1 Peter 3:21, "Corresponding to that, 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." (NASB)

Finally, the death, burial, and resurrection that baptism represents had not yet occurred at that time. So, the thief could not have been obedient to this baptism.

Answer 2

Hey JF!!

What the baptism really represents is you publicly acknowledging that you are born again. It's a good thing and I think every Christian *should* do it.
At the same time, here's the other thing, it's not really mandatory. If you read what happened during the crucification one of the thieves on the cross accepted Jesus as Lord and got to go to heaven.
There's no baptisim but he makes it in.

Hopes this helps.

BD

Answer 3

Baptism is not a requirement of salvation, but it is a requirement of obedience. Baptism is a first step of discipleship. Although all meanings of baptism are significant, the one that most often comes to mind is water baptism as a picture of having come to know Christ as Lord and Savior. Baptism is never the event but, rather, the picture of the event. So the pattern of obedience is to come to Christ in trust and then to picture that through the symbol of baptism.
—Holman Bible Dictionary


If baptism is necessary for salvation, why would Paul have said, "I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius" (1 Corinthians 1:14)? Why would he have said, "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power" (1 Corinthians 1:17)? Granted, in this passage Paul is arguing against the divisions that plagued the Corinthian church. However, how could Paul possibly say, “I am thankful that I did not baptize…” or “For Christ did not send me to baptize…” if baptism were necessary for salvation? If baptism is necessary for salvation, Paul would literally be saying, “I am thankful that you were not saved…” and “For Christ did not send me to save…” That would be an unbelievably ridiculous statement for Paul to make. Further, when Paul gives a detailed outline of what he considers the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-8), why does he neglect to mention baptism? If baptism is a requirement for salvation, how could any presentation of the Gospel lack a mentioning of baptism?

See also http://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-salvation.html

Answer 4

I am glad you asked the question. The Bible gives us instruction by both commands and examples. if asking Jesus into our heart by saying a sincere prayer is all we need to do then we should find an example of that in the book of Acts which is the only book we have of the history and acts of the early church. The church began on Pentecost and we read of the 1st sermon and instructions in Acts 2. When the people cried out what shall we do, Peter answered in vs 38. You read it and see what he said do. Was it "ask Jesus in your heart" or was it "repent and be baptized?"

Just before Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection, he instructed His apostles to go into the world and preach the Gospel. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved and he that belives not will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)

So in this verse we see the word Gospel. Paul tells us in Romans 1:16 that he is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone that believes to the Jew first and then to the Greek.

If the Gospel is the power of God to salvation we need to know what the Gospel is. In I Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul says that the Gospel is the death burial and resurrection of Jesus.

Then in II Thessalonians 1:7-9, the same Paul warns us that the Lord will take vengeance on those who do not know God and who do not obey the Gospel. Well since the Gospel is the death burial and resurrection of Jesus, then somehow we need to get into Jesus death burial and resurrection right?

Romans 6:3-4 shows us that baptism is how we get into Jesus death, burial and resurrection. There are no other verses that tell us how this is accomplished. So by conclusion if I want to get into Jesus death burial and resurrection I must be baptized. But why?

In Jesus death He shed His blood and we know that Jesus blood is what cleanses our sins. So by getting into Jesus death, that allows me to come in contact with His blood that cleanses my sins. Galatians 3:26-27 explains it by saying we are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Vs 27 explains how that takes place when he says for as many of you that were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. By being baptized as the Bible instructs we put on Jesus.

One last point I would like to make is that baptism is compared to being circumcised. In Colossians 2:11-13 Paul says that baptism is a spiritual circumcision. Males were not considered Jews until they were physically circumcised. The implication is since baptism is our circumcision we cannot be Christians without it.

If you would like to view a short video on what I have just shared please go to www.wecaretoday.net Scroll to the bottom left corner and click on Gospel Presentation.

Thanks so much for asking the question. It does not matter what I believe or you believe it will be what The Lord wants that will be our judge. Search the entire book of Acts and you will not find anyone who was told to say a prayer asking Jesus into their heart. I believe if that is what God wanted us to do then He would have shown us by example. The sinner's prayer salvation method began in the 1800's by a preacher.
It is not in the Bible!!!

May God Bless your Search for the Truth
saved2seek

Answer 5

I don't believe you have to be baptized. Jesus died for our sins, if you ask for forgiveness and ask him in your heart. ..that's salvation. But being baptized is your public declaration that you have been saved, and it's the first act of obedience to God. It's not mandatory though. After all, the thief on the cross was told by Jesus, 'today you will walk with me in paradise'. If he had to be baptized, Jesus would have said, 'sorry, you're not baptized'. Billy Graham's wife, Ruth, didn't believe in baptism.

Answer 6

Baptism IS typically necessary for salvation.

The risen Jesus said as much himself, and the apostles did as he wished.

Mat 28:18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. And behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.

Answer 7

you must absolutely become baptised in order to be reborn into Jesus death and resurrection~! When people are baptised, Jesus' work of salvation become part of the person.

Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. " John 3:5

Answer 8

The Bible does say that if you are not baptized you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. However, I always wonder about babies and young children who have not been baptized, Would god really send them to Hell? Good question you asked.

Answer 9

Jesus answered, "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. - John 3: 5

I think that pretty much says it.

Answer 10

im commenting anyways....

i think if its part of hte religion, then yeah, you should jsut do it.