What if I reject being baptised. Will I still be able to be "saved"?

Question

Someone comes to me; teaches me about Jesus; his death, burial, and resurrection; I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, I repent of my past sins, I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He then says to me:
"Then you need to be baptized"

I reply to him, "look, I don't want to go through all of that."
He turns to me with a surprised look on his face and says, "but what do you mean? That's a part of obeying the gospel; That's how you come in contact with the blood. That's how your sins are remitted, remember what I taught you?"

I say, "yeah but I'd be kind of ashamed in front of all of those people"

The guy says, "Look, one of the LAST things Jesus said before he ascended into heaven was,

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Mat 28:19-20

I say, " I know but, I just don't want to"

Question: Have I "obeyed the gospel? Am I saved?

I'm sorry. I have to go to Lookout's answer.
She said:
"However, you are talking about blatantly disobeying Christ. How can you accept Him and ask Him to save you but not obey Him?"

VERY INTERESTING! Especially considering ALL the nay sayers.

Cheir, I know a LOT of people point to the "theif on the cross" as a reason NOT be be baptized. But That's actually not a good example; you see, JESUS HAD NOT DIED YET. How could one be baptized int Christ? The church had not even been establised.

Thanks Fireball, Honestly, that seems to align with the teachings of the scriptures on baptism.

violin,
"And just because the bible says so, it doesnt mean you have to follow!"

I don't think I want to approach something as serious as my salvation with THAT attitude. But, thanks anyway.

joloth, "Any salvation experience that doesn't lead to obedience to God in all things is a farce! "

THAT'S FAITH.

MT, Thank you.

Wow!, Sjolley, that's a pretty strong cse. Thank you!

Miles, Thanks, but I'm thinking I NEED to be baptized.

Thank you Shalei, It is His Love isn't it? I suppose if i love Him, and I do; I would do all that He wants me to do.

Answer 1

Consider this friend,
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
If you have truly received Christ as your Savior how can you in all good conscience disobey His commands?
John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
The question is, do you love Jesus? If so, then obey him and be that light to others.

Answer 2

Yes, you are! I'm sure you will hear more of this on RS. But consider this, as a new Christian in particular, you will be facing all kinds of temptations that didn't bother you before because you didn't know that you were being set up for trouble. Plus "other problems" will challenge your "new" faith. When the going gets really rough your spirit will look for something to hang its hat on. Having been baptized is a STRONG reminder that you have done what Jesus did and that makes you "feel" closer to Him AND your faith. It is something God has initiated to deal with the mental or psychological part of our being as well as the spiritual part. Also, you are publicly announcing that you are with Christ and that helps make you more "accountable" for your actions. This may sound undesirable but if you skipped over some casual lust interest and find out later that this person gave 10 people AIDS you would be very grateful.

Answer 3

True salvation is repentance and obedience. I don't believe that you will not be saved just because you are not baptized. The man who got saved while dying on the cross next to Christ never had the chance to be baptized. However, you are talking about blatantly disobeying Christ. How can you accept Him and ask Him to save you but not obey Him?

Answer 4

The only way to be saved is: LOVE.
1 Corinthians 13: v. 2-8: If I have the gift of prohesy and can fathom all mysteries and knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3) If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5) It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. 7) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8) Love never fails.
Jesus is going throughout the world reading peoples hearts. Those that have the Love that is written here will be separated from the rest of the world. It is those people that will pass through Armageddon. You might not want to be baptized now because of your shyness, but if you are one of those that belong in the House of Jesus you will want to be baptized because Jesus will put it in your heart. Follow your heart. All righteous reasons and understanding comes from Jesus and Jesus alone (with His Father).
All other things that keep a person away from going fully to Jesus is from Satan. All of us that have not yet felt it in our hearts of where the Truth of God's House stands; are journeying down the same path. You are not alone. Hopefully I will meet you "where the truth will set us free".

Answer 5

Why would you not want to be baptized. Are you ashamed of the gospel? If so, then I really have to question your sincerity, whether you've really accepted Christ as your Lord. Being baptized is being obedient to the Word of God. Baptism is the outward public expression of your inward spiritual rebirth. It's like the wedding ring is the outward symbol of your commitment in marriage. Without it you are still married, but it is not known to the community. If a husband or wife doesn't wear their ring in public, don't you question whether they are truly commited to their spouse? The same is true with baptism. If you're not baptized, but you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord of your life, you're still saved, but baptism symbolizes that fact to the community you fellowship with. Should you skip the baptism? I would say NO, because there is something within yourself that happens when you are immersed in that water. You are in effect, buried with Christ and when you come out of the water, your old man is left in the water and you are resurrected a new person. As I said, it's really a symbolic action, but I recommend it.
Also, if you know your scriptures, even Jesus was baptized, not because He needed to, but as an example of righteousness. And all through the New Testament, we are told to be baptized.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. 14 And John tried to prevent Him, saying, "I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?" 15 But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him. Matt 3:13-15 NKJV

Then Peter said to them,"Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38-39 NKJV

15 For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.' Acts 22:15-16 NKJV

So, have you truly received Jesus or are you more afraid of what others think? It's up to you.

Answer 6

If you have done what John 1:12 says, you are what John 1:13 say. Remember the two guys beside Jesus on the cross? Jesus say onto one: ..."Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43) (King James Version). So, he went to heaven without being babtised.
So once you are saved by Jesus, you have to make this step also. It does not mean that you will lose your save status, it just means you do what God told us to do after being saved. It's just a matter of obedience. Now I understand you feel uncomfortable with all the witness there, but don't worry, you will be OK. Trust me, I 've been there. Just make up your mind. You have to stand for what you believe in even if everybody else loose faith. Be strong, brother.

Upon thee, peace be!

Answer 7

Honestly, the only one who knows whether you are saved or not will be God when you stand before Him in Heaven. I would say if your faith is true, as you grow you may see the importance of being obedient to what God asks you to do, ie, making a public profession and being baptized. It has to be your own choice though, I pray that you grow daily in your faith!
Blessings

Answer 8

Baptism is a symbolic act making a public declaration of your belief - nothing more. There is no verse in the Bible that categorically states that if you are not baptised you are not saved. Take the example of the thief on the cross who was saved. No evidence he was baptised.

Answer 9

You don't have to be baptized in public, but it is important that you be willing to not be embarrassed by your faith. I would imagine that your pastor would be willing to baptize you in private. It is a small form of denying your faith, and Christ said if any many deny me on earth I will deny him in heaven (not sure of the exact words).

Answer 10

If someone deliberately refuses to obey a command, any command, from Jesus, then one could argue that you weren't really saved unless you eventually repent of your disobedience.

So it is not the lack of Baptism itself, but the disobedience of the command to be baptized, especially if done from embarrassment, that is bad.

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"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."
~Mark 8:38

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."
~John 14:23-24 (NIV)