baptism, in some form, is necessary for salvation?

Answer 1

Yes.
From the Reasoning Book:

Baptism

Definition: The word “baptize” comes from the Greek ba·pti´zein, meaning “to dip, to plunge.” (A Greek-English Lexicon, by Liddell and Scott) Christian water baptism is an outward symbol that the one being baptized has made a complete, unreserved, and unconditional dedication through Jesus Christ to do the will of Jehovah God. The Scriptures also refer to John’s baptism, baptism with holy spirit, and baptism with fire, among others.

Do persons who really believe God’s Word hold back from being baptized?

Matt. 28:19, 20: “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.”

Acts 2:41: “Those who embraced his word heartily were baptized.”

Acts 8:12: “When they believed Philip, who was declaring the good news of the kingdom of God and of the name of Jesus Christ, they proceeded to be baptized, both men and women.”

Acts 8:36-38: “Now as they were going over the road, they came to a certain body of water, and the [Ethiopian] eunuch said: ‘Look! A body of water; what prevents me from getting baptized?’ With that he commanded the chariot to halt, and . . . [Philip] baptized him.”

Answer 2

NOT for salvation. Salvation ony comes from the Holy Spirit. Baptism is a key, but not for salvation. Baptism is only an outward showing of your death to self and birth as a child of God, a Believer in Christ.
You can only obtain Salvation through the Shed blood of Chirst and what he did on the Cross, then the Holy Spirit steps in.

Answer 3

Baptism, christening, etc. is NOT necessary for salvation. SOme baptists and catholics try to teach that but the bible doesnt say that. THe only thing necessary for salvation is faith in Jesus Christ.

Baptism is an outward and public expression of that faith. It is a symbolic cleansing of sin from our bodies and rebirth of the holy spirit. All symbolic though. Much as taking the last supper isnt really eating Christs body and drinking his blood. just a symbolic ritual.

Answer 4

Nah, it's not necessary for salvation. Salvation only comes from hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ, then being convicted by the Holy Spirit, realizing from that conviction that you are a sinner just like everyone else, being broken in your sin and then be willing to turn from that sin, then ask Jesus to forgive you your sin and Believe in him and place all your trust and faith in him. The first act of obedience once you are saved is Baptism by submersion. Hope this gives you a better understanding. God Bless!

Answer 5

This depends on how theologically sensitive you are, and what will count for you as a good answer. Historically until the reformation baptism was seen as an essential ingredient for entry into the community of faith. The church then faced several issues: what happened to those who died outside of baptism, especially the very young; what happened to those who claimed conversion but died before they could be baptized, and what happened to those who claimed baptism, but baptism had no apparent affect in his or her life.

The answers are varied.

After the reformation many emerging denominations in order to clearly differentiate themselves from the Roman church used baptism as a distinguishing feature. Many dropped infant baptism, which had existed fro before 100 CE, and many moved to a purely symbolic view of baptism.

All of these views have been expressed in the answers given so far.

HTH

Charles

Answer 6

There are a number of baptisms referred to in Scripture.

The one that is important, and relates to salvation, is the baptism of the spirit. Notice I said "relates to" and is not in and of itself a requirement of salvation. Those who do meet the requirement of salvation, having placed their faith in Christ, receive the Holy Spirit which is a baptism.

Some people believe one must be baptized in water to be saved, having confused these two.

The example of Cornelius in Acts 10 should help clear this up.

Also Paul wrote that there is one faith, and one baptism.

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Answer 7

No.

Baptism is a demonstration that your life is in Christ and you identify with his death, burial and resurrection.

However, salvation is in faith in what He did and receiving that forgiveness and repenting. Baptism is obedience -- but not necessary for the act of salvation.

The only requirement for heaven is that your sins are forgiven and that happens solely by the blood fo Jesus. It's wrong to think you can "help" (Ephesians 2: 8 - 9)

Answer 8

No.

Otherwise, the very One we are being baptised to is a liar, because He offered salvation to one of the thieves on the cross.

What baptisim is, is my visible statement to the world. Remember, was a time when a big part of society gathered at the waters edge (washing clothes, getting water, etc). It was something you did to let the rest of the world know.

Unfortunetly, today, it takes place behind closed doors (except Greg Laurie's church - they still do it at the beach with the surfboards!), and very little of the world neither sees what we are doing, or hears the message of why we are doing this.

Answer 9

full immersion baptism symbolizes the washing away burial of the sinful self and the rising new with Christ...

some are unable to receive baptism..a prisoner or sick bed, etc. it is for those people that Jesus was baptized in their place...

salvation comes through faith in Christ...

The sprinkling of babies ..if the parents are dedicating the child and promising to raise the child Christian....baptizing a baby is not a get out of jail free card...

Answer 10

There are really 3 steps to salvation: 1) believing in Christ, 2) accepting him as your savior and asking him to forgive your sins, and 3) being baptized. It's not enough to simply believe in him.

Answer 11

No. John 14:4-6 “And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” This means that you receive salvation from Jesus Christ alone. Not through any other means. God does command us to be baptized, but it is not something you MUST do to receive salvation. And to break it down the easiest way, just read John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."