Do you have to be baptized to be saved or go to heaven?

Answer 1

sorry this is so long, but all this is needed. please forgive me. the answer? YES YOU DO...dont listen to anyone here if they say it is a symbol. tell them to show you where the Bible says that it is a symbol. first of all how can you recieve the Holy Spirit unless you die to your old life? and once dying how can you be raised to a new life unless you are buried? but buried in what? there are many false doctrines out there so everything here will be actual scripture.
"to those who had believed him Jesus said, 'if you hold to my teachings you are really my disciples. then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.' " john 8:31-32
the major stumbling block for many Christian churches is salvation doctrine. but biblically what is sound doctrine for salvation and what isn't? when do you recieve the Spirit according to the Bible? is baptism a symbol? does the Bible say it is a symbol? one major false doctrine today is praying Jesus into your heart. is this "sinners prayer" in the Bible? there is no scripture that specifically shows a person being saved this way. as for actual scriptures of God's plan of salvation there are these however...please bear with the length :^)
1. Hear- Romans 10:17 "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ."
2. Believe- Mark 16:16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."
3. Repent- Luke 13:3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish!
4. Confess- Romans 10:9-10 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
5. Baptism- Acts 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit..."
so with baptism is peter saying that it is a symbol? or that since they achieved faith by believing what was said, needed to repent and be baptized to be forgiven of sin?
what anyone else says to the contrary of this does not match up to scripture. and since the necessity of baptism is something that Satan has confused people with to no end, i will give more passages...you will see by the Bible itself IT IS NOT A SYMBOL!!!
Mark 16:16 "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved..."
Acts 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
Acts 8:36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water. Why shouldn't I be baptized?"
Acts 8:38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.
Acts 9:18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,
Acts 10:47 Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have."
Acts 10:48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Acts 16:15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home.
Acts 16:33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized.
Acts 18:8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized.
this list goes on & on & on & on...all five parts are literal
not a concept, or outward symbols of inward faith, or works so they don't apply to faith. does it make sense that if you take one away you don't have true salvation that you're missing something? don't believe those who say baptism is not necessary for salvation it is as needed as belief and repentance...and one more scripture for the cherry on top...Romans 6:1-5
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
hmmmm...doesn't sound like a symbol, but more the final act of faith and obedience to God's plan of salvation. you rise from the waters of baptism forgiven and are "raised to a new life.

Answer 2

Dear Sexy A,

You do not have to be baptized to be saved! Remember that the thief to the side of Jesus on the cross professed his faith in Jesus and asked Jesus for mercy and Jesus' promise to him was that he would be with Him in paradise.

Baptism is an act where a believer in Jesus Christ identifies with the life and death of Christ. When one gets baptized when he goes down in the water and then rises up it is symbolic of how his old life died- just as Christ died on the cross to pay the price for our sins- and we rise up living a life lead by the Holy Spirit (like when Jesus was baptized and the Holy Spirit ascended over Him).

It is an act of obedience and not a pre-requisite of salvation. However, baptism is an important thing in that- it is a public declaration of your faith in God and that you intend to live for God. It's done publicly so that the church (your family in Christ) are accountable to help you living in the Christian life, so while it is necessary for salvation- if you're a Christian it is something that you really ought to do.

If anyone did not need to be baptized it was Jesus- and yet he did it- as an example for us. If Jesus did it, we really ought to do it too. But if you never get baptized it won't something that won't get you to heaven- although the reason you would choose not- may be a reflection of your heart towards Jesus and obeying Him.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

Answer 3

Jesus indeed gave us command to get baptized, He got baptized too. He also asked us to baptize people in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. So get baptized if you can, but it is not necessary for the salvation if you do not have time like for example the thief on the cross with Jesus.

Answer 4

You probably have to be baptized and saved to go the baptized and saved heaven.Hopefully there will be some guides when I jump out of the meat bag.

Answer 5

Baptism is symbolic. The thief on the cross wasn't baptized, but Jesus told him he would be in paradise.

Jesus Christ said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Answer 6

Well, that's a very good question! In the Bible, which was canonized by the Catholic Church, it states that a man in the Bible, John (the Baptist) goes around and puts water on people's head and says something (in short) "be cleansed". Basically, it was done by people of all ages in those times, and it was a person's decision to be "cleansed". It's a personal choice. I would read that chapter of the Bible for yourself, so you can make an informed decision. Read his story and see if you think it's necessary. Religion should be a personal experience, you know?

Answer 7

Only if you smell a lot. Besides, Jesus' mother was never baptized, even after he was fully into his ministry. If you have to be baptized, she's screwed!

Answer 8

No hon, baptism is just an outward expression of being born again, death into life, rebirth and such. The true path to heaven lies through Jesus and His sacrifice. Believe in him and you will go to heaven.

Answer 9

To be baptiszed is a symbol. You ask the Lord Jesus into your heart. The baptism is symbolic of washing previous sin away.

Answer 10

How Can I Be Saved?
http://watchtower.org/e/19960201/article_01.htm

"What Does God Require of Us? :
- How You Can Find Out What God Requires"
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_00.htm

My answer to that is too long to post right now, Y!As is on;y axccepting short answers, at least of mine. But, the above article-series will more than answer your questions, & from the Scriptures!