Baptism is unnecessary?

Question

If Jesus told the murder to his left that he will go to heaven, and we know according to the bible he was not baptized then did he just get grandfathered in?

Then why are babies baptized in fear that if they die they will go to hell. And if that is not true then how can a baby profess his or hers faith.

Answer 1

Well, what it means to me is that God can accept belief without baptism the same way He could reject the circumcision of Esau. Both covenants belong to Him.

Answer 2

First, we do not know if the thief was baptized or not earlier in his life.

Mark 1:5 says, "Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins." This would probably have been the area in which the thief lived.

Also, the disciples of Christ baptized more than John. (John 4:1-2)

Since the thief displayed knowledge about Christ and the coming kingdom, some conclude he may have been a former disciple of John, therefore he may have been baptized earlier.

You cannot dogmatically say either way, but lets assume (as you have already) that he was not baptized at any time.

Jesus gave the Great Commission and his commandment about baptism AFTER he had died and rose from the grave. (Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:18-20)

The thief on the cross lived under the Law of Moses. He lived and died BEFORE Jesus rose from the dead and gave the command about baptism.

He could not have obeyed a commandment that had not yet been given. He could not have been baptized according to the authority (instructions) of Christ, because Christ had not yet given those instructions.

Baptism is how we come into contact with Christ at His death. (Colossians 2:12, Romans 6:3-13) The thief was there! He had direct contact with Christ at his death.

Since the thief had direct contact with Christ at his death, he was able to make a direct appeal for salvation. We are not in that position.

It is through baptism that we contact Christ's death and make our appeal. 1 Peter 3:21 says, "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." (Quoted from NASB) (What would Peter have said if he meant "baptism now saves you"?)

Finally, the death, burial, and resurrection that baptism represents had not yet occurred at the time the thief lived. So, the thief could not have been obedient to this baptism.

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

Some say you believe, are saved, and then you shall be baptized. This is not the same 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 what Jesus said.) I believe Jesus! "He that believes not shall be condemned." (Mark 16:16)

Who do you believe?

Jesus commanded baptism. "And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him." (Hebrews 5:9)

If you say baptism is not necessary, you have said you can be saved without obeying Christ! Can someone be saved in a state of disobedience?

Is Jesus "Lord of your life" if you don't obey Him? Can you be saved if he is not Lord of your life?

He said, "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)

Answer 3

Where does the Bible say that he was not baptized? For that matter, where does it say that he was a murderer?

Sometimes we can speak of a "baptism of desire". Someone who desires baptism but dies before he can receive it, will receive the same graces because of his desire that he would have received from baptism itself. The good thief repented at the end of his life - and let's not forget that repentance is a necessary part of baptism. Who can doubt that he would have received baptism, if only it had been possible?

EDIT: Jesus told the apostles to make disciples of all nations and to baptize them. He didn't say ". . . . except for the babies". At baptism, parents promise to teach the faith to their children.

Whether an unbaptized baby goes to hell or not is up to God, not to us. I know of no religion that teaches it definitively.

Answer 4

There is something called the baptism of desire. That is what the man had. He wanted to go to Heaven and believed in Jesus...but because he and Jesus were nailed to the cross, they couldn't do a baptism...no could they?

Also, in the bible it says that you have to accept Jesus and be baptized to have salvation...BUT after that all it says is that any man who doesn't accept Jesus will be damned. It doesn't say that any man who doesn't accept Jesus and isn't baptized will be damned...

So no...it's not necessary...but you should have it done if you really believe.

Answer 5

Baptism doesn't get you into heaven. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward transformation. You get baptized as a public sign that you have accepted Jesus Christ. You also get baptized to become an official member of certain denominations like the Baptists, Pentecostals, etc.

Answer 6

Sort of... those who sinned in their ignorance such as infants, children and even adults who sinned in true ignorance are saved by grace alone. Even in Old Testament times they made sacrifices for those who sinned ignorantly.

On the other hand those who know the truth must be baptized as a covenant to God that they accept Him, have repented of their sins, and desire to follow Him. After all, if Jesus being Holy had need to be baptized in order to fulfill all righteousness, how much more do we being unholy have need of Baptism. Jesus set the example and said "Follow me", how can we say we follow Jesus and not follow His teachings and examples?

Having a covenant relationship with God without baptism is like being married without some sort of wedding ceremony.

Answer 7

John baptized in water Jesus baptized in the Holy Spirit so I see no need to baptize since this is but a symbol of what should be going on inside the person and is tere a need for symbols especially if there is no true change inside?

Answer 8

Baptism is only an outward show of an inward change. Babies will not die an go to hell. Babies cannot be held accountable for sin, the bible reads suffer not the little children for such is the kingdom.

Answer 9

Warpigs,

If I may say so, far too many people are being baptized, without the complete understanding of what it represents. To answer your question, your surrender to the Will of God, is not dependent upon the ritual of baptism. The original and true meanings of the baptism ritual are several. First, it represents the death and burial of the old self, and indeed, the "self" in general. As long as "Self" continues to sit on the throne of our hearts, there is no room for God to be there. It also represents the cleansing of our minds, from the sin nature, which is our animal nature. When God is present on the throne of your heart, the animal nature cannot rule us.
Coming up out of the water, represents our rebirth, as Spiritual Beings, no longer dominated by the flesh. It is also a "type" of the resurrection, spoken of in the Bible. In addition, it is a symbol of the pattern we see all around us, of life springing forth from death. We see it in the seasons, and in the seeds of the plants. It would be wonderful, if every seeker of God, fully understood the meaning of this ritual, and waited to participate in it, until they were willing to make a complete and eternal commitment to the Godhead. For many, it is simply a requirement to join their church. To finally answer your question, no, it is not needed. The only way you can enter into communion with God, is when you make the choice to receive Him as your Father, and to become His fully loving and obedient Child. No religious ritual, church membership, or man made tradition, can be substituted for a complete surrender to the Will of God for all eternity. Peace be unto you...............

Will

Answer 10

Water baptism is, indeed, a requirement. However, our Salvation is in Jesus Christ. Jesus could read hearts and obviously saw a repentant one in that man who was about to die along side him. Who better than him to absolve the man of his sins and promise him that one day he would see paradise. If Jesus made that exception, I for one wouldn't challenge it.