Does baptism save you?

Question

I am of the opinion that anything an unbeliever can do-----cannot save you.
An unbeliever could get baptized to get nagging family members off his back.
I believe we are saved by grace through faith, not of works (anything you can do) lest any man should boast (brag) it is the gift of God.
What are your views and why?

Answer 1

Baptism is only a step. First you must repent, then be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and then you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (the evidence of which is speaking in foreign tongues). You are saved by faith and not by works. If we were saved by works, then Angelina Jolee and Brad Pitt would be well on their way. Fortunately for those of us who are not insanely rich, giving to charity is not the way to get to Heaven.

Answer 2

I do not believe that baptism can save you. "Original Sin" was something that was made up centuries after Christ was crucified.
"Jesus was baptized because He had to fulfill the legal requirements for entering into the priesthood. He was priest after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4; Heb. 5:8-10; 6:20). Priests offered sacrifice to God on behalf of the people. Jesus became a sacrifice for our sin (1 Pet. 2:24; 2 Cor. 5:21) in His role as priest.
To be consecrated as a priest, He had to be:
- washed with water (Lev. 8:6; Exodus 29:4, Matt. 3:16).
- Anointed with oil (Lev. 8:12; Exodus 29:7; Matt. 3:16).
Both of these were bestowed upon Jesus at His baptism.
Additionally, He may have needed to be 30 years old - (Num. 4:3) "
So, baptism is not necessary for salvation, but most people do it as a symbolic gesture of being washed of all sins and committing themselves to Christ and God.

Answer 3

It plays a part. It is not merely a "symbol"

1 Peter 3:21: "Baptism . . . now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Jesus said that no one can enter heaven unless he has been born again of water and the Holy Spirit (John 3:5).

"He saved us . . . by the washing of regeneration and renewal in the Holy Spirit . . . so that we might be justified by his grace" (Titus 3:5–7). This "washing of regeneration" is baptism. It actually does something to us. It regenerates, says Scripture.

Acts 2:38, where Peter says, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Notice the sequence: First comes repentance; then comes baptism—which effects the forgiveness of sins—and then, as a consequence of that forgiveness and therefore of baptism, comes the gift (the grace) of the Holy Spirit. This verse makes sense only if it is understood as saying that baptism is not a mere symbol. If baptism were just an ordinance and not a sacrament, why would Peter bother to include it in his instruction?

you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified" (1 Cor. 6:11). By washed he was not referring to the Corinthians’ bathing practices, because sanctification and justification are not dependent on hygienic practices. The verb meant that they had been baptized, and it was their baptism that brought them, for the first time, a state of sanctification and justification. Baptism changed them internally, spiritually, as it changes us.

Answer 4

Baptismal Grace or the Grace of Jesus' Saving Death and Resurrection saves,even those who are not baptized in the waters of Baptism. There are Baptism of Desire( wanting to be united with God or Ultimate Good) and Baptism of Blood(dying for Christ) as well as the sacrament of Baptism. Valid Baptism needs water and batism in the name of the Father ,Son and Holy Spirit.

Answer 5

I am in complete agreement with you. The act of baptism does not save you, and as you have said, neither does our works. We must first believe on him, we must also confess that belief. Thank goodness that our salvation does not depend on our works, because not only does the poor catch hell, but they would probably go to hell. The rich could try and buy their way in by doing good for those less fortunate, which I would imagine is why, it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.God is just!!!!

Answer 6

One of the most nagging questions in Christianity is whether or not baptism is necessary for salvation. The answer is a simple, "No." But you might ask, "If the answer is no, then why are there verses that say things like ‘. . .baptism that now saves you . . . ‘ (1 Pet. 3:21, NIV) and ‘ . . . Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins . . ." (Acts 2:38, NIV)? This is an honest question and it needs a competent answer. But, before I tackle this I need to lay a foundation of proper theology, To see that go to http://www.carm.org/questions/baptnec.htm

Answer 7

that's what they say ! The Catholics baptize you, the Baptists save you. I let my kids do a little of everything. As a kid, our neighbors went to a greek Orthodox church. (and anybody that thinks a Catholic Mass is long, .........wait til' you go to one of these !) I hope by now, we are baptized, saved , confirmed, etc........ Brian C- the Catholic church has had to change some of it's "ideas" about marriage for one. The Catholic church does not expect a woman to put up with abuse, alcohol, and other things. Used to be, women just had to deal with it. Also, the Catholic Church is "recognizing" and accepting baptisms from other religions, and I think it's about time !

Answer 8

When we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are saved. Whoever does not believe is condemned already. (John 3:16-18) We go through baptism to identify ourselves with the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jese Christ so that the old things have passed away and all things become new.

Answer 9

No, baptism doesn't save you, Jesus does. Baptism is a public declaration of your faith and symbolic of the washing away of sins. The thief on the cross next to Jesus was not baptised. I was baptised in 2003. I was also baptised as a baby, but to me that doesn't mean anything.

Luke 23
38There was a written notice above him, which read:|sc THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

40But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? 41We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

42Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.[f]"

43Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Answer 10

Baptism is necessary for salvation. Jeus saind "Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit." - John 3:5

Baptism is the first step in entering the Kingdom of God. It takes a life of faith, hope and love as well.