2007-07-11 03:56:15 · 20 answers · asked by Jack 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
He doesn't...
Baptism in water is a measure of symbolism. It is not a requirement. It is is an outward display of an inward change. It says to the world around you "I am a new creature". In biblical times, you could be murdered for having done it, because it WAS a public display. It signifies the change in the soul when it is immersed in the holy spirit. The immersion under the water represents the death of self (Symbolizing the body dying and being buried), and the rising from the water symbolizes the rebirth of the soul after the dying to self. It is required under the Law, but it is not a requirement for salvation. Ex: the theif on the cross with Christ that said "We are here for what we have done. We deserve this punishment, but this man has done nothing. Master, Remember me when you come into your glory". He was told "I tell you today, you will be with me in paradise..." by Christ, and was told so simply because of his faith (Both his belief, and his speaking out about it). It is stated in Romans ch 10, Verses 8-10:
8But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
While the book of Romans was obviously written AFTER the death and resurrection of Christ, it was the same declaration of faith that gained the thiefs salvation. Christ did not command the theif to come off the cross, get baptised, then he would be saved. No, He said "Today you will be with me in Paradise" after the thief had done this mentioned above. These are the only requirements in scripture for salvation. There are other laws of obedience in scripture, but only this is requird for salvation.
Hope this helps...
2007-07-11 04:21:22 · answer #1 · answered by Simple Man Of God 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Baptism has nothing to do with salvation but is the next step after a person has been saved. Baptism fits one out for service to the Lord and is the scriptural way that one is added to the church. The only candidates for baptism are those who have been born again (saved)
The Lord Himself requires all saved people to be baptised as it is part of the great commission as found in Matthew Chapter 28. Jesus Himself was baptised at the very start of His ministry as it was a requirement of His heavenly father as well.
2007-07-11 04:06:09 · answer #2 · answered by mandbturner3699 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Matt. 28:19-20 - Jesus commands the apostles to baptize all people "in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit." Many Protestant churches are now teaching that baptism is only a symbolic ritual, and not what actually cleanses us from original sin. This belief contradicts Scripture and the 2,000 year-old teaching of the Church.
Acts 2:38 - Peter commands them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ in order to be actually forgiven of sin, not just to partake of a symbolic ritual.
Matt. 28:19-20; Acts 2:38 - there is nothing in these passages or elsewhere in the Bible about baptism being symbolic. There is also nothing about just accepting Jesus as personal Lord and Savior in order to be saved.
Mark 16:16 - Jesus said "He who believes AND is baptized will be saved." Jesus says believing is not enough. Baptism is also required. This is because baptism is salvific, not just symbolic. The Greek text also does not mandate any specific order for belief and baptism, so the verse proves nothing about a “believer’s baptism.”
2007-07-11 04:03:54 · answer #3 · answered by Gods child 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Accepting Jesus as your personal savior gains eternal life, not baptism. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward experience. And, Jesus thought baptism was important enough that he asked John the Baptist to baptize Him. Matthew 3:13-15
2007-07-11 04:08:12 · answer #4 · answered by Gram 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Wrong. Baptism is an outward action ( evidence) of our new life in Christ. It does not save you. Baptism is symbolic of Jesus' resurrection. Into the water signifies death: we are dying to the flesh, our former lives. And we rise again: our new man in Christ emerges and we pick up our cross and seek to lives our lives according to His spoken Word. Without a steadfast commitment to the Lord a baptism means absolutely nothing, no eternal merit.
2007-07-11 04:18:11 · answer #5 · answered by HeVn Bd 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
These "rituals" are to take the place of BLOODSHED! Would you rather have to sacrifice an animal that was outwardly perfect, separated from the flock and treated like a pet, only to have to be cruelly taken and slaughtered for your sins, lest you DIE in said sins and have NO chance of getting to Heaven? That was what people living under OT law had to do! Jesus' teachings of repentance (sacrifice ritual with NO bloodshed), water baptism (cleansing ritual taking the place of a high priest having to wash himself off in a brass bowl after handling sacrificial blood) and sanctification (living a pious life according to the Word) were meant to keep us from experiencing any semblance of death in our lives to attain and maintain salvation.
2007-07-11 04:20:32 · answer #6 · answered by bigvol662004 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I do not think that you have to be water baptized to be saved.
It is meant to be a public confession of your commitment to Jesus.
To refuse water baptism because you do not want to be ridiculed by others, may mean that you have not truly given your heart to God and there fore you do not yet have eternal life.
2007-07-11 04:27:23 · answer #7 · answered by tim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God does not require baptism to gain eternal life- it is an outward expression of an inward change- ONCE saved you should desire to be baptized to commit yourself to Him- and as a testimony to the world that you are saved. What do you have to do to gain eternal life?
1- admit that you are a sinner- "ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
2- confess your sin, and repent
3- accept Christ as payment in full for your sin and through THEN ask Jesus to help you live the life that He created you to live- and proclaim Him as Lord.
2007-07-11 04:13:27 · answer #8 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
He dosen't. Baptism is just the ritual that represents the entering into a new life. It dosen't give or take eternal life from nobody
Paz de Crtisto
2007-07-11 04:00:56 · answer #9 · answered by Emiliano M. 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Baptism is not what gets you saved.
God asks anyone what is a follower of him show it outwardly-
as in let everyone see don't be ashamed and let your peers know.
that's exactly what Baptism does it shows to everyone else that you have accepted Jesus to be your lord and Savior.
I do not believe that if you were to ask Jesus into your heart and you were in the car on your way to church to get baptized and you get in a car wreck and die. I don't think God would let you go to hell just because you never got the chance to show everyone else.
if you deny Me before men, I will deny you before My Father" (Matthew 10:32
Like I said it's just in an outwardly sign to show others.
2007-07-11 04:03:21 · answer #10 · answered by John 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋