what does the bible say about baptism if it is necessary for salvation, or does it say it is only symbolic?

Answer 1

"and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also - not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of good conscience toward it God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 3:21.
This baptism is in reference to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The water symbolizes our death and resurrection with Jesus Christ. We are dead and buried and then resurrected a new person in Christ.
Now, the coC will disagree and tell you baptism is essential to salvation, yet we are not saved by our works, but our faith in Christ Jesus.
"That if you confess with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord' and believe that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
It does not say you might be saved, there are other things that you need to do to be saved, it simply says, you will be saved.

Answer 2

Baptism has its roots in the Miqvah which is a Jewish practice. We first get completely clean, both physically and spiritually (as much as one can spiritually.)

Then we immerse in the water and submerge 3 times. Sometimes more depending on the intent.

It was a practice done quite often for some, less frequently for others. It's not as common now as it a kosher miqvah is hard to find. Although any body of running water will do, it has to be done naked, so it's not done in public.

It's basically symbollic of rebirth and renewal.

Your question asks if it's in the bible. There are examples of a miqvah being done in the Torah and the prophets, but I'm not aware of specific instructions.

Answer 3

1 Peter 3:21

"And corresponding to that, 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"


There's a good verse for you. Jesus and the apostles command converts to be baptized; they don't just suggest it. I'm not sure whether or not baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation, but if Jesus commands you to do it, baptism is something you should prioritize in your life.

Answer 4

Water baptism certainly is not necessary for salvation, and is never presented in the Bible as being so.

Answer 5

Salvation comes from faith in Jesus Christ alone - not of works. Baptism is the outward sign of identifying with Christs death (going under the water) and ressurection (coming out of the water). In the Bible, Jesus says to be baptized after you are saved and that baptism won't save you.

Answer 6

Actually it's both. If we get baptized we are making a public declaration of our faith.

Jesus set the example for us by being baptized himself. As a Jew he was already born into a nation dedicated to God, so he was technically dedicated from birth. By submitting to baptism, he was presenting himself to His Father to do the divine will for him at that time.

Peter speaks of the importance of baptism. He was talking about Noah’s constructing of the ark, in which he and his family were preserved through the Flood when he said, “That which corresponds to this is also now saving you, namely, baptism, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the request made to God for a good conscience,) through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21)

According to Jesus, all those who become his disciples must be 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.”

It's kind of like getting married. You get to know each other and then you get married in public. It's a matter of public record due to the marriage license and we wear wedding rings so the public knows we're married.

Notice that these were all adults, fully understanding of what they were doing, not infants. Also notice how the Bible says they were fully immersed in water:
Mark 1:9, 10: “Jesus . . . was baptized [“immersed,” ED, Ro] in the Jordan [River] by John. And immediately on coming up out of the water he saw the heavens being parted.”

Acts 8:38: “They both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized [“immersed,” ED, Ro] him.”

Answer 7

If baptism was necessary for salvation, dear one, the thief on the cross would not have been eligible for heaven that day, beside Jesus. Yet the thief recognized who Christ was and Christ said to him, "this day, you will be with me in Paradise." Meaning, the thief went to heaven.

Baptism is an outward expression of an inward commitment to Christ. It is not necessary for salvation, but it is something we do in obedience to Him, once we ARE saved.

God bless!

Answer 8

"I don't know, but we should" seems to be a common thread here among your answers. If baptism is linked that closely to salvation, then there must be a reason for it! Perhaps it's because it replaces circumcision as a covenant between God and man, a promise given to Abraham and carried through the generations for those who belong to God.

Answer 9

Its both. There are alot of verses that command it for baptism. I'll name probably just a main one. John 3:5-"Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God". If you want more info., I'd be glad to help! Or see upci.org, if you'd rather not talk w/ a stranger. God Bless!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

Of course we should be baptised, BUT-- it is not a have to or don't go to Heaven. What about death bed confessions ? There is no time for baptisim.God wants us to be baptised to show we die to sin and are washed white as snow. To keep that we have to walk the walk and talk the talk. Since we sin every single day, isn't it great we have an intercessor in Jesus.? All we have to do is ask forgiveness from our heart ,and try not to do it again. Since our Lord was baptised and put under the water we should also go under when we accept Jesus.