i want to know why ppl preach that baptism is needed for salvation?

Question

this has got to be one of the craziest beliefs i ever heard. baptism pleases God but it wont save you. you get saved then please God. anyone that preaches salvation comes from baptism must be part of a cult.

Answer 1

Water Baptism

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)

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)

Jesus commanded all disciples (Christians) to be baptized after they are saved. Baptism doesn’t earn your salvation, but is an act of obedience to Christ once you are saved. It is clear from the book of Acts that the early Church practiced water baptism. This ordinance, given by Jesus, must be based on the Word of God and not on man's traditions.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
(2 Timothy 3:16-17)



If you have not been baptized in the biblical way, you need to carefully study this subject, and if you have already been baptized by immersion, you need to understand its importance in order to help others to fully submit to the command of Jesus (Matthew 28:19).

1. Water baptism: an outer expression of an inner work

Water baptism is a statement to the world of the change that has already taken place in you as a born-again believer. It is an outward, public confession of an inner change.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

As a child of God, you identify with Christ in His death and resurrection. In water baptism you identify with Christ in His burial and resurrection and ascension.

Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12)

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3-4)

Identification with Christ

There are three stages to our identification with Christ:

A. The Cross

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
(2 Corinthians 5:21)

B. The grave and tomb

Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (Colossians 2:12)

When a Christian is baptized, he is immersed under water. This act of obedience represents the believer’s burial in the grave or tomb. In baptism we identify with Jesus’ victory over the devil and death. Jesus stripped Satan of all his power (Colossians 2:15). Water baptism symbolizes this victory that Jesus secured for us.

C. The resurrection

And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6)

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

The Greek word for “baptize” is “baptizo,” meaning “to immerse, to dip into liquid and take out again.” That is why baptism requires immersion.

Jesus also serves as our example, having been baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. We read that Jesus “went up out of the water” (Matthew 3:16), thus indicating that His baptism was by immersion.

2. Who may be baptized?

Only believers in Jesus Christ may be baptized. In the early Church, people were eligible for baptism as soon as they heard the gospel and responded in repentance, making a decision to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In fact, they were taught that it was an essential step in their walk of faith (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:37-38, 8:12, 36-38, 18:8).

Baptism in water, just like salvation and baptism in the Holy Spirit, must be the freewill choice of each individual before God. Baptism is for believers who have been born-again by the Spirit of God. No person can believe on behalf of another or make this decision on behalf of another. Each believer must come to his own point of decision.

Must a believer first prove himself before being baptized?

Repentance, the new birth, and baptism are very closely tied together in all of Scripture.

Repent, and let every one of you be baptized…. (Acts 2:38)

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
(Matthew 28:19)

See also Acts 2:41; 9:17-18; 10:48; 16:14-15.

From these passages, it is evident that these people heard the gospel preached, responded in faith and received Jesus as Lord and Savior. Immediately following that decision, they were told to be baptized.

They were not told to wait for a season of time in order to prove the sincerity of their heart or the reality of true repentance. In my opinion, churches today delay baptizing new Christians far too long. In so doing, they are subtly implying that it lacks importance. The sooner a new believer is baptized, the better.

You may ask yourself, “What about babies?”

Believing and repenting must precede baptism, and since infants can neither believe nor repent, it is unscriptural to baptize them. Nowhere does the Bible speak about baptizing babies, but their parents can bring them before the Lord to be blessed and to be dedicated to Him, as Jesus was (Luke 2:22). Children must first come to the age of accountability, make their own decision, and then act on their own faith.

3. Baptism is a statement of faith and identification

• To God, baptism shows your faith and immersion into the body of Christ.
• To the Church, baptism declares, “I am with you. I am no longer a sinner but a saint. I’m no longer of the world. Though I am in the world, the world no longer dictates my standards, values, and priorities.”
• To the world, baptism proclaims, “I’ve come out from among you. I am now a child of God.”
• To the devil, baptism demonstrates that you are an overcomer. The devil has no access to your life. Your rebellion and disobedience have been exchanged for submission and faithfulness. You now have authority over Satan and he must submit to you (James 4:7).

4. Baptism is a step of obedience

If you have not yet been baptized by immersion, make the decision to be obedient to the commandment of God. Your decision is important. Baptism is symbolic to God, Satan, the angels and demons, the Church, and the world. It proclaims your identification in His death, burial, and resurrection. Immersion in water represents your death and burial. Rising out of the water represents resurrection and awakening to newness of life.

As you trust God and put His Word first in obedience and love, He will honor and protect you. With this simple act of love and obedience, learn to put God and His Word above what family or friends might say or think (Matthew 10:34-39; 12:50).

Those who disobey this simple step will never reach their full potential in God. This is not something that needs to be prayed about, because God’s will is determined by His word. Therefore, it’s already clear what you need to do. Make an appointment with your pastor to discuss it, and be baptized as soon as possible. If you have not been baptized by immersion since being born again, ask yourself why not. Obey God by doing what is right.

Answer 2

If baptism doesn't replace circumcision as a covenant of grace, then people are left to resolve a commandment of Christ vs. faith alone and individual verses that say baptism saves you vs. "thief on the cross" quotations.

Under the covenant, the thief on the cross would have been the equivalent of the uncircumcised Jew, God's choice of who would be saved just like God's choice of who would be rejected with Jacob and Esau. As circumcision was tied to being God's people under the law, baptism would be the new covenant tied to salvation by grace. If circumcision could go together with being God's chosen people in the Old Testament, then it's not too hard to extrapolate the same exact meaning of baptism for God's chosen "new Jews" in the New Testament.

Answer 3

""In Catholic teaching, baptism plays an essential role in salvation. This teaching dates back to the teachings and practices of first-century Christians, and the connection between salvation and baptism was not, on the whole, an item of major dispute until Martin Luther's teachings regarding grace. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:"Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament." Accordingly, a person who knowingly, willfully and unrepentantly rejects baptism has no hope of salvation. This teaching is based on Jesus' words in the Gospel according to John : "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God." As stated earlier, three forms of baptism are acknowledged by the Church. Baptism by water refers to the traditional baptism whereby the individual is immersed water or has water poured over his head in the name of the Trinity."" Full Quote Wikipedia Baptism Article

Answer 4

I think where certain churches gets this from is John 3:5 (incidentally the same verse quoted in Quack Rubber Duck's article about the Catholic Church-- although that church is not one I was thinking of). One verse the only that specifically makes a statement like that. Taken out of context and it flies in the face of Romans 10:9-10 which tells you plainly how to get salvation. Baptism is just an outward sign symbolic of what you did in your own heart and with your mouth.

Jesus didn't say "If you confess me I will confess you before my father in heaven"........."oops unless you didn't get wet before you died"



Groups who tout John 3:5 like that need to read two verses earlier.

Actually a lot of groups that use a verse like that just want you to get to their church so after they perform the baptism they can control you (tell you who to do date, etc and make a "disciple" out of you)

As for that Catholic dogma with John 3:5 as stated from wikipedia, I do believe that that doctrine would also simply be a method likewise to get you into their particular church and subsequently keep you there and follow their man made traditions of their church. Interestingly, the pope did just announce that the Catholic Church is the only true church and all other churches lack the "means of salvation."

What does that sound like? Kinda what I was just describing.

Answer 5

Amen to that brotheren.

Only Jesus can full fill all righteousness by water baptism in Mathews 3: 15. We are righteous only through him! Jesus full filled everything for us. there is nothing else to do except have faith and obedience. We can not perfect this fleshly body. live in the spirit and not of the flesh. What about the thief on the cross, he had no water baptism and he was saved. Jesus said, when he returns will there be faith!

I received the holy spirit and i never was baptized by water.

Answer 6

I don't know who preaches that. I don't think I have ever known anyone who has. I see what you mean. Most people believe that baptism is simply a profession of your faith that is done after you accept him. It openly signifies your belief to others and Him.

Answer 7

I'd like to know that myself, especially since the Bible clearly teaches otherwise.
However, baptism is an act of obedience for those who have been saved -also taught clearly in the Bible

Answer 8

Listed below are three of many reasons why baptism is an absolute necessity 1. THE BIBLE SAYS SO! JOHN 3:5 - "Except a man be born of the water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God." Most Bible commentaries agree that water here refers to baptism. ** See, Matthew-Henry, Adam Clark, Hist. Christian Church, Walker, Catholic Encycl., Oxford Dict. of Church, Interpreters Dict. of Bible., Temples Bible Dict.** MARK 16:16 - "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Notice how Jesus places baptism in conjunction with salvation. 1 Peter. 3:21 - "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us." Also see Acts 10:6 and 48. 2. IT REMITS SIN HEBREWS 9:22 - The application of the blood of Christ is necessary to remit sin. What then is the Biblical way to receive remission of sin? The answer to this question will also be the only way to get the Saviour's blood applied. LUKE 24:47 - "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name...." (Jesus) ACTS 2:38 - "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." The blood of Jesus is applied only through water baptism in the name of Jesus. Also see 1 John 5:8 and Acts 22:16 3. BAPTIZED INTO CHURCH Every New Testament church was formed by those whom were baptized into the faith after believing and repenting. Gal 3:27 and 1 Cor 12:13 CHURCH AT JERUSALEM - 3000 added by baptism after receiving the word. Acts 2:41 CHURCH AT CAESAREA - Peter commanded them to be baptized. Acts 10:48 CHURCH AT PHILIPPI - Lydia & the Phillipian jailer baptized Acts 16:14-33 CHURCH AT CORINTH - Paul preached. They believed and were baptized. Acts 18:8 CHURCH AT EPHESUS - Paul rebaptizes those improperly baptized. Acts 19:1-6 CHURCH AT GALATIA - Believed Paul and baptized into Christ. Gal 3:27 CHURCH AT COLOSSE - They were buried with Christ in baptism. Col 2:12 CHURCH AT ROME - They died to sin, then buried in baptism. Romans 6:1-4

Answer 9

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

Some say you are saved before or without baptism. In essence they say, he that believes and is saved shall be baptized.

This is not the same thing Jesus said. This is not in the same order.

If Jesus had meant "He that believes and is baptized shall be saved", what would he have said? I believe he said what he meant and meant what he said! I believe Jesus! "He that believes not shall be damned!" (Mark 16:16)

The apostle Peter said, "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." (1 Peter 3:21)

If Peter had meant "baptism now saves", what would he have said? I believe he said what he meant! "Baptism now saves... through the resurrection of Jesus Christ"!

In fact, every example of the conversion of a sinner recorded in the New Testament after Jesus rose from the dead and made this statement, specifically mentions baptism. Love, Grace, Mercy, Repentance, Christ's blood, and Confession are not mentioned in every example, even though they all are necessary for salvation, but baptism is mentioned every time!

None of these converts either ate, drank, or slept until he was baptized. It was always immediate! This shows the importance of this step in the plan of salvation.

When Saul saw and spoke to Christ on the road, Saul called him "Lord". Jesus told Saul that in the city he would be told what he "must do" to be saved. (Acts 9:6) In the city Saul fasted and prayed for three days. (Acts 9:9-11). Some would teach he was saved at that point, but he had not yet been told what he "must do".

Ananias then told him, "Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord". Obviously he had not yet called on the name of Jesus, even though he had been praying. "Calling on the name of the Lord" is more than saying "Lord" and it is more than praying, it involved obedience or something to be done. (Matt 7:21) Saul had not called on the name of the Lord until he had done what he was commanded (baptism).

Also, until this point, his sins were not washed away. We are not saved if our sins remain. Since only the blood of Christ washes away sins (Romans 5:8-10, Rev. 1:5), he had obviously not contacted that blood until he was baptized.

Baptism is "for the remission of sins", "unto the remission of sins", or "so that your sins will be forgiven". (Acts 2:38 - quoted from 3 different versions.) Baptism puts us "into Christ" and "into his death" (Romans 6:3-4, Gal. 3:27, Col. 2:12). When we contact his death, we contact (and our souls are washed in) his saving blood, because that is where that blood was shed. To leave out baptism is to say we are saved without contacting the blood of Christ.

Many verses talk about the blessings "in Christ", but the only verses that use the phrase "into Christ" say we are "Baptized into Christ". To leave out baptism, is to leave out the step where we get "into" Him. We cannot be saved outside of Christ!

Jesus commanded baptism! "And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him!" (Hebrews 5: 9) Obeying Christ, according to this verse in the Bible, is necessary for salvation!

Delaying baptism is remaining in a state of disobedience until a later time. It is like telling Christ that you will obey him, but not now. It is like saying there are other things that are more important that you want to do first. Is Jesus Lord of your life if you don't put him first? If you have not yet been baptized, can you be saved in your disobedience? Again EVERY example in the book of Acts has baptism immediately done at the conversion.

Answer 10

We believe that baptism with water -- by immersion, pouring, or sprinkling -- in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, cleanses us from original sin and personal sin (and their punishments) and initiates us into the life of the Church. It is more than merely symbolic; it's more than an expression of belief of the one being baptized (or his parents); it is a Sacrament, both a sign and medium of sanctifying grace. Baptism does something; it remits sins:

Like all Sacraments (the other 6 being Eucharist, Confession, Confirmation, Holy Orders, Matrimony, and Unction), Baptism is not a work of man; it is a work of Christ, an act of His grace:

It is through Baptism that we are "born again" (or "born from above") of "water and of the Spirit" (John 3:3-5). Read the entire chapter of John 3 which speaks of being "born again" and please note that it is all about Baptism. Despite what some Protestants believe, being "born again" doesn't mean "having an emotional high" or "making a decision for Christ," though these are fine and good, the latter being necessary after the age of reason; being "born again" very clearly refers to Baptism of water and of the Spirit. This regeneration of water and Spirit is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God:


The Old Covenant was entered into through circumcision; the New Covenant is entered into through Baptism:

Colossians 2:11-12
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.


Just as children were once circumsized as infants, they are now baptized as infants because the Kingdom of God, which is entered into through Baptism, most certainly includes them:

Luke 18:16-17
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Acts 2:38-39
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.


Baptism leaves an indelible mark on the soul, so one may be baptized only once.

Ephesians 4:4-6
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Answer 11

this is a man made rule. Mark 16:16 says "he who believes and is baptised will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." take note it said they will be condemned if they didnt believe, it didnt say believe AND baptised. it ONLY said believe. Jesus is how we get remission of our sins not baptism. if you cross reference all those scriptures you will see how we have remission of sins. you dont get baptised then saved. thats just backwards.