Is water baptism required to be a Christian?

Question

Many Christian groups rightly say that water baptism is not required for salvation, but they then qualify it so strongly as to, I think, invalidate their first assertion. For example, I like what Hank Hanegraaff says, "The most critical mistake one can make with regard to baptism is to believe that it is necessary for salvation." But then he qualifies that with, ".....baptism is a necessary threshold each of us must cross into a life of fruitful service unto God." This makes no sense to me. I believe a person can live an authentic and fruitful Christian life without being physically baptized in water. I've been a Christian for 30 years, and I was a more faithful and fruitful Christian for many years prior to my baptism. I hoped being baptized would help me strengthen and grow my faith, but I experienced no spiritual gain from my baptism over 2 years ago. Why would God command us to do rituals that are of no benefit? Or maybe Christians interpret the bible wrong in this area?

I really am befuddled to think that Jesus would establish new rituals after abolishing old ones. Jesus said we should, "...if we see with our eyes, hear with our ears, understand with our hearts and turn, then he will heal us." Jesus hated rituals -- he died to free us from legalism. He continually appealed to our hearts as what mattered most: "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'" - not lack of being baptized. Jesus taught the requirement to be a Christian was to, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." In Mark 16:16, Jesus said "who ever does not believe will be condemned." He DID NOT say who ever is not baptized will be condemned.

I really am befuddled to think that Jesus would establish new rituals after abolishing old ones. Jesus said, "...if we see with our eyes, hear with our ears, understand with our hearts and turn, then he will heal us." Jesus hated rituals -- he died to free us from legalism. He continually appealed to our hearts as what mattered most: "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'" - not lack of being baptized. Jesus taught the requirement to be a Christian was to, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself." In Mark 16:16, Jesus said "who ever does not believe will be condemned." He DID NOT say who ever is not baptized will be condemned.

I fear too many of you confuse the symbol with the real thing. Christianity is about internal not external things. read http://www.pbcc.org/sermons/vanderet/1258.html

Answer 1

No, it's not. "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." No requirement for baptism there.

It was explained to me that baptism is essentially a public declaration of faith - generally the first step one takes. I have never seen a church I respected, though, that made baptism anything but a step one takes after one is saved.

As to the benefits - well, I can't really speak to that. It was a bit scary to be baptised in front of all those people, including some I knew weren't believers, but getting over that fear and doing it anyway were useful for me. I'm sure your experience was different, but I don't see that it really matters. People engage in meaningless rituals all the time with no discernible benefits - or haven't you asked someone "how are you" today? :)

Answer 2

Well, Jesus was baptized and he was setting an example for us. Lots of things he did we are unable to do. We can't turn water into wine, walk on water, heal the sick, etc. But, we can get baptized. It's symbolic of choosing to serve God from that point forward. This doesn't mean that getting baptized without proper preparation or just to get it done is the right thing to do. Rather, baptism is supposed to be done after the person knows what's it's all about. I'm pretty sure that if somebody is very close to getting baptized but judgment day gets here first, God will judge them accordingly.

Answer 3

You're absolutely right, Hank Hanegraaff's remarks don't make sense. Those are opposing statements. You're not crazy. Hanegraaff is either contradicting himself, or not fully clarifying his statements, if you want to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I think you're partially right about believing a person can live an authentic and fruitful Christian life without water baptism. We can both point to the thief on the cross and say that here was a person saved without the rite. But basically this was the equivalent of an uncircumcised Jew, and who held the authority to grant salvation? God, not the sinner!

So, let's apply this to baptism. Get baptized however you want, the important thing is whether God accepts it, not Man. Yes, you are "supposed" to get baptized as a Christian. Refusing baptism is in my opinion, rebellion. But keep your focus on God, and your obedience to Him, and baptism is something you'll naturally want to do. It's God's gift to you, not your gift to God or an audience of onlookers.

Answer 4

It sounds like you ask a question, then answer it for yourself. One of your answerers give multiple scriptures supporting the necessity of baptism. Others give scriptures supporting just faith. It seems to me (and I mean no offense) that some Christians choose to be convicted of just the scriptures on faith while other believe scriptures about faith and baptism. I might add at this point that repentance is necessary, too. And don't forget confessing Jesus as your personal Savior since this is a requirement, as well.

I don't believe your growth is dependent on baptism. My personal understanding is that baptism is the last step as a lost soul and the first step in the life of a Christian. But God blesses everyone whether we follow or not; whether we want Him to or not. I believe the feeling that comes from baptism should give us a boost, but obviously, not necessarily, as you've testified to that.

My understanding is that baptism, as commanded by the Bible, accesses the Blood of Jesus. Since the Blood is required for forgiveness of sin, and forgiveness of sin is required for salvation, it seems to be in keeping with the Scriptures that baptism is necessary for salvation.

Are all these un-baptized folks not going to Heaven? God is a just God, I'll let Him work that out. Of course, I couldn't do it ,anyway.

Answer 5

Water baptism is absolutely required for salvation, else the following verses are a lie and Jesus was a liar.

“He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16)

“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” Acts 2:38

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” Acts 22:16

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5 (notice the word water???)

"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" 1 Peter 3:21

The above verse states quite plainly "Baptism doth also now save us" The "like" figure is a comparison to Noah and how he was "saved by water". 1 Peter 3:20

Christ was baptized by immersion as an example. Every other example of Christians who were saved was accompanied by baptism by immersion.

"Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. "

These verse do NOT make baptism an option.

One is not saved until he has been baptized.

Answer 6

Baptism is an old ritual that was used to sanctify the body and cleanse away sins in the OT. It is not necessary to be baptized to receive the Holy Spirit or to gain salvation. All physical rituals are for man, not God.

Answer 7

You're assuming that because you didn't experience apparent spiritual growth after your baptism, that no one does?

If you get baptized, and continue your life the way it was before, then baptism is little more than getting wet.

But if you get baptized, and allow yourself to be completely immersed in the holy spirit the way you're immersed in water, then you allow God to use you as his instrument. You go from being a Christian, to belonging to God completely.

I was baptized three years ago last month. Yesterday I was hired to be a fulltime pastor.

If we allow God to use us completely, God will. Baptism is the first step towards being God's completely.

Godspeed you on your journey.

Answer 8

Isn't Christ's word very clear?

19 ¶ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(New Testament | Matthew 28:19)

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
(New Testament | Mark 16:16)

5 And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!
6 And now, I would ask of you, my beloved brethren, wherein the Lamb of God did fulfil all righteousness in being baptized by water?
7 Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.

(Book of Mormon | 2 Nephi 31:5 - 7)

Answer 9

Water baptism is the norm and is likewise a necessity. this is used for the showering away of unique Sin. it is no longer in straight forward terms a ceremony this is a sacrament. there is likewise a baptism of prefer and a baptism of blood

Answer 10

First, Hank H. has shown himself to be a liar and a fraud.

Secondly, as Paul points out, there is one faith, and one baptism, and it is of the Spirit; not water.

For you to have undergone water baptism after so long; could it be that this demonstrated a lack of faith? Did you think it could enhance your Christianity?

The apostles who went to the Israelites were told to baptize them in water. This water baptism was to demonstrate to them their dying to the old covenant so that they would understand they were free to partake in the new covenant.

The first gentile, Cornelius, received the Holy Spirit (baptism of the Spirit) without water baptism. It was Peter's idea to have him and them baptized with water, seeing as he was instructed to do so by Christ, regardless. Paul informs us he was not called or told to baptize people, even though he did:

1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Gentiles were not a party to the old covenant, so there really was no need to have them die to it. But then again, the old man does die when one becomes a Christian.

The bottom line is that people are not saved by any ritual but by faith. Baptism to one without faith is just a matter of getting wet.

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