Can you accept Lord Jesus Christ fully before being baptized? and when should you be baptized?

Answer 1

Saul heard the voice of the Lord on the road.

Saul confessed him as “Lord” and asked what he needed to do (to be saved). Jesus told him to go into the city where it would be told him what he “must do”.

In the city, Saul prayed and fasted for three days. Some would say that he was saved at this point, but he still had not been told what he “must do”.

To be saved we must “call on the name of the Lord”. Saul had already called Jesus “Lord”, and he had been praying, but notice, when Ananias came to him, he instructed Saul to “arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord”!

Even though Saul had referred to Jesus as “Lord”, even though he had been praying and fasting, he still needed to “call on the name of the Lord”! He did this when he followed the instructions of the things he “must do”, specifically “be baptized”!

“Calling on the name of the Lord” obviously is more than saying “Lord”, it is more than praying and fasting, and it is more than believing and repenting (which Saul obviously did). “Calling on the name of the Lord” means to rely on His authority. You recognize His authority by following His instructions, i.e., by doing what He has authorized!

Matthew 7:21 says, "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."

Notice, even though Saul had not had any food or drink for three days, he was baptized before he took food! (Acts 9: 9, 18-19) This shows the urgency of baptism!

In fact, baptism is specifically mentioned in every example of a conversion in the Book of Acts, and none of the converts ate, drank, slept, or continued a journey until they had been baptized. It was always immediate!

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

Some will tell you that a person believes, is saved, and THEN he shall be baptized. This is not 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 Jesus! “He that believes not shall be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

Peter said, baptism is “for the remission of your sins” (Acts 2:38) (“unto the remission of sins” – American Standard Version). Peter also said, “baptism now saves…” (1 Peter 3:21)

What would Peter have said if he had meant “baptism now saves”?

Answer 2

Being Baptized is an act of obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ. Being Baptized does not grant someone a free ticket to salvation, being saved does that. I believe that I was first Baptized in the Holy Spirit before I was baptized in water. The act of baptism was only my way of totally submitting to the will of the Lord.

Answer 3

Jesus said you cannot enter the Kingdom without being baptized (being born again through water and the spirit). Therefore, children should be baptized as soon as possible after birth, so they might become members of God's family, the Church, and eligible for the Kingdom. The manmade tradition that conscious acceptance of Jesus Christ is a prerequisite to baptism is unbiblical, and is only a few hundred years old. No Christian before that time ever heard of such a thing. This notion reduces a mighty work of God (which is what all sacraments are) to a mere human gesture.

Answer 4

I attend the Church of Christ where baptism is very important. Look on the Internet for a congregation near you and contact them either by phone or email. If it's possible go visit and see for yourself. When you choose to be baptized the minister/preacher will ask you a few questions. Being baptized is a very serious decision. You have to be willing to make a change in your life, to give up the sins of the world. It's very difficult for us to stay focused on living right when so much temptation is out there. But it can be done, it's a way of life for myself and my kids. I admire you for considering changing your life for Christ.
Good Luck.

Answer 5

Of course you can! You can accept Jesus whenever you want to, even in the shower, as the first answerer offered. Baptism is an outward sign of the change in your life, but it will be evident long before that. You should get baptized as soon as possible, but it's ok if you can't right away.

Answer 6

Yes you can accept Jesus before you have been baptized. I feel there isn’t much point in baptizing babies, because when they are older, they just use it as in excuse that they are a Christian, being baptized doesn’t mean you’re a Christian. Hope that cleared some stuff up for ya. =]

Answer 7

yes you must do that. accept Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit before be baptized! be babptized is a symbol that you have already accept Jesus and are a born again.

Answer 8

Yes I would recommend that in fact Cornelius and his family after believing received the Holy Spirit prior to getting water baptized. See http://www.bcbsr.com/books/acts10b.html

Answer 9

Yes, you can accept Him freely and fully before baptism! He says to come just as you are! This tells me that He welcomes all to come!

The baptism, usually occurs after you have given your life, freely to the Lord! This is fact, if you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He came in flesh, for the sake of being the "redeemer" for man's sins and if you KNOW, in your heart, that he arose on the third day....then call upon Him and ask HIM to be your Savior! Once, you have truly poured out your sins and your heart to Him, you will desire very much to be baptized!

I pray that God has given me the words to help you, on your spiritual walk and desire, to be His. I too, desire that for you and I am praying that you surrender your life to His. That you will learn to walk with Him, not ahead of Him. God bless you for seeking Him and if you continue to do so...you shall find HIM!

God Bless You!
Gail

Answer 10

Yes, pray something like this: "Jesus, I know that I'm not perfect. I believe that You are the Son of God and that You came to die for my sins, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day. I believe that you live for ever, and that you want me to live with you for ever. I accept by faith what you did for me on the cross, Jesus, and ask you to come into my life now. I want to follow You for the rest of my life. I will follow my prayer with baptism so that everyone will know that the old me is gone, and the new me in You has begun. Amen"