Getting Babtized?

Question

I want to know if it is important to get baptized it u want to be able to go to heaven

Im christian and i havent been baptized yet and im just curious about it

Answer 1

A lot of people will give you various views, "nevertheless what do the Scriptures say?" (Gal. 4:30)

Baptism is a command of Christ. He said, “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved.” (Mark 16:16)

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

Many agree that baptism is commanded by Christ, but they say it is not necessary for salvation. Hebrews 5:9 says, “He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” It is necessary to obey Christ to be saved!

Acts 2:38 says that baptism is “for the remission of sins”, “unto the remission of sins” or “so that your sins will be forgiven”. (Depending on which translation you read.) I Peter 3:21 says "baptism now saves"! (What would Peter have said if he had meant "Baptism saves"?)

In the conversion of Saul (Paul), Acts 22:16 says he was commanded to be baptized and wash away his sins. Can we be saved if our sins remain? The blood of Christ washes away sins (Revelation 1:5) .

Romans 6:3-4 says we are “baptized into Christ”. Can we be saved outside of Christ? (See Gal. 3:27 also.) These verses in Romans also say we are “baptized into his death”. At Christ’s death is where his saving blood was shed and offered for our sins. We must contact His death to contact that blood! Can we be saved if we have not contacted His death?

Romans 6:3-4 also say that at baptism we “rise to walk in newness of life.” At a birth there is a new life. Can we be saved if we have not been “born again” to this new life? (Can we be Christians if we are not born again?)

In the New Testament after Jesus gave the command about baptism, every example of the conversion of an alien sinner specifically mentions baptism. (Confession, repentance grace, mercy, love, and Christ's blood are all necessary for salvation, but they are not specifically mentioned in every example, but baptism is!) None of these converts ate, drank, slept, or continued their journey until they were baptized. It was always immediate.

Some point to examples, such as the thief on the cross, before Jesus issued his command of baptism. They could not have obeyed a command that had not yet been issued. (Even John the Baptizer's baptism is not the same as the baptism later commanded by Christ -- Acts 19:1-5, Acts 18:24-26, Mark 16:16, Matthew 28:18-20, Compare Luke 24:47 with Acts 2: verses 5 & 38)

Also the death, burial, and resurrection that baptism now represents had not occurred at that time. How could they be baptized into Christ's death, when Christ had not yet died?

Those before Christ's death lived under the Old Testament. The New Testament came into effect after Christ died and rose again. (Hebrews 9:15-17) And remember, it was after His death that he commanded baptism (Mark 16:16, Matt. 28:18-20) All those who now live after that point in time are subject to the New Testament and to that command.

Also, the thief on the cross was at the scene of Christ's crucifixion. He had direct contact with Christ at His death. We are not in that position. Again, it is through baptism that we contact His death!

Saul who I mentioned earlier, is a good example of the necessity of baptism. He spoke to Jesus. He called Jesus “Lord” and he asked what he needed to do to be saved. Jesus told him to go into the city and it would be told to him what he “must do”. In the city he fasted for three days and he was praying. (Acts 9:9-11) Many would say he was saved at that point, but he still had not been told what he “must do”.

Then he was told to be baptized and wash away his sins. Please note, even though he had not eaten or drank for three days, he was baptized before he took food. (Acts 9:18-19) This shows the urgency of baptism.

After one believes, repents and confesses Christ; baptism is the point at which we come “into Christ”. The act of being immersed in water and rising up out of the water symbolically recreates Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. It is this way God has appointed for us to contact Christ's death and be forgiven of our sins. Baptism is “for the remission of sins"!

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord!" (Acts 22:16)

Answer 2

There is a lot of debate about this issue, so you are going to get many responses regarding your question.

My personal inclination is that there are so many passages that speak of baptism as though it is important for me to do it... that I felt I must respond favorably to it.

Even Jesus was baptized. Baptism itself represents the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. I think of it like this... by being baptized...I am dying to my sins (repenting), being washed clean, and brought up into a new life...

I also see baptism as I would a wedding. I love my fiancee, and we decide to get married. We have a wedding, with witnesses to show the world and God that we are bound to each other. A baptism is like this too... a public confession of your faith and witnesses that see you dedicate your life to Christ.

Whether or not it prevents you from entering Heaven if you are not baptized is a bone of contention with many believers. Some believe you must be baptized, and that you are saved at that point. Others believe you must be baptized eventually, that it is your outward expression of faith. Others believe you do not need to be baptized at all. And, beyond that...other faiths... believe in sprinkling. I am not concerned about what OTHER people think. I read my bible... I see what IT says...

Acts 2:38
"Repent and be baptized..."

Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again to enter the kingdom of Heaven...He talked of the water and spirit. It appears to be an indirect statement that baptism is an important thing. How important? You make that decision based on what you read in the bible. You are a smart person... read it for yourself, and decide what you want to do.

Answer 3

Hey there. Christians differ in their opinions on this one, so it is a good question....Basically, the Bible is pretty clear: If you believe in Jesus as Savior, you are a Christian. Think of it this way: If a person was stranded in the desert and believe in Jesus but there was no water to get baptized with, would that prevent them from going to heaven? Of course not. Baptism is a symbol, a declaration that you have been made new by Christ. It is a public confession affirming what has been done in your heart. Yes, it's important, but it's not about the water.

Answer 4

Yes baptism is required for salvation and the enter the kingdom of God


In John 3, He declares: "Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he can not enter into the kingdom of God." Christ makes no exception to this law and it is therefore general in its application, embracing both adults and infants. It is consequently not merely a necessity of precept but also a necessity of means.

The necessity in this case is shown by the command of Christ to His Apostles (Matthew 28): "Go and teach all nations, baptizing them", etc. Since the Apostles are commanded to baptize, the nations are commanded to receive baptism.

Answer 5

There is only one way to get into Heaven: to believe in Christ Jesus, that He died and rose again, and lives in Heaven as a living sacrifice for our sins.
I believe that baptism is a symbol of leaving our old life behind and becoming born again. When the pastor "dunks" you in the water, that is a symbol of being buried, of leaving your old life behind. Then he brings you up again, symbolizing the washing of your sins and being born again as a new person in Christ.
Jesus was baptized because He wanted us to do the same in obedience.
I also see it as a witness to all non-believers. If you don't want to share your faith with the world, maybe you are not really saved.

Answer 6

Yes, yes, yes. Do not believe the stuff about you don't have to be baptized. The Bible says over and over and over GET BAPTIZED. Now, if you were the Devil and you knew that Baptism was the most important thing wouldn't you tell people "Oh, You don't have to be baptized"? Of course you would. DON'T LISTEN---GET BAPTIZED. It wasn't until Abraham dang near killed his son DOING WHAT GOD SAID TO DO that God said "Now I know that you love me because you DID what you did and did not withhold your son" He counted Abraham as righteous because of what he DID and not what he said.

Answer 7

Baptism is an ordinance given to us by God. He only gave man two ordinances, baptism and the Lord's supper. They are to be observed in times of celebration and obedience. That being said, not being baptized will NOT prevent you from going to heaven when you die if you have accepted Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and savior. Still it is preferable as both a public and personal profession of faith. If you have more questions, ask your pastor. You can reaffirm your faith through public proffesion and baptism anytime.

Answer 8

Get baptized. Jesus was the perfect example, He got baptized.

Answer 9

Jesus said you must be Baptized with water and with the spirit

Answer 10

God has called us to live the life that Jesus lived. Before Jesus himself was baptized John preached, "i baptize you with water, but the one who came after him [that is, Jesus] baptizes us with fire [Holy Spirit]."
Paul tells us that when we were baptized with Christ, we died with Christ, as we go into the water, the flesh dies, as we come up, the Spirit is born.