Is baptism really important to be a Christian?

Question

Hello, My family is Muslim and i was born Muslim too, but i converted to Christian, since i live in Muslim country, i cannot communicate with Christians, i tried once, but the Pastor and Bishop near my area were scared and they refused to baptise me, i am 18 but i was converted when i was 13, i have no friends, so i never went to places far from my house alone, so i donnot know the places. So, my question is, Is it really very important to baptise; would Jesus accept without baptism, I dont see noway of me getting baptised and i am afraid, i am a little bit of exposed and have recieved warnings from people because i dont go to mosque.

So what i am going to do?

Ahmad, no one will go to Hell if he/she is good with heart.

Can i do baptism by my self?

Answer 1

Water Baptism is a ritual, the real Baptism is of the Spirit. And by what you've said you have already responded to the Spirit. You are saved, dude! lol and Glory to God!

I wrote a blog about water baptism. I would like you to see it:

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-7rEUJP4lbqSbntikbR2aAw--?cq=1&p=15

If you do decide to read it, please comment on it.

I would also like to invite you to email me any time, and I have IM as well. I am desiring to encourage you to talk with me about Christianity, and anything else you would like to talk about. I see your condition very threatened in your country, whichever one it is, and I wouldn't want you to think that you were alone.

You are not alone if you have God with you.

Answer 2

Some say you do not have to be baptized, but the Bible says you must be baptized for several reasons.

1. You are baptized INTO Christ: Romans 6:3 Or have you forgotten that when we became Christians and were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus, we died with him? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

2. You are baptized to wash away or have your sins forgiven: Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

3. It saves you (along with other things you must do like faith, confession of Jesus and repentance): 1 Peter 3:19-21 So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— 20 those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21 And this is a picture of baptism, which now saves you by the power of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. Baptism is not a removal of dirt from your body; it is an appeal to God from a clean conscience.

If these are incorrect, the entire Bible is incorrect, and there is NO GOD because GOD CANNOT LIE. It (baptism) is important because we can neither take away nor add to the Word of God. We must take the whole council of God or nothing at all.

Answer 3

I have visited Aghanistan a couple of times...
There, I heard a firsthand story of a close friend of an Afghan who became a Christian...and was burned to death by his own family as a result.

Oftentimes, it is the obedient act of baptism that can bring about the persecution. For water baptism is a symbol to yourself and the world that you are a Christian...

The thief on the cross next to Jesus was forgiven by Jesus and went to heaven...despite not having been water baptized.

So, is baptism absolutely essential for salvation? No.
However, it is extremely important - much more important than most who talk about how it is not essential for salvation!

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There is an "underground" church of Afghan Christians growing rapidly.
I am sure that whatever country you live in, there are many like you...living in fear and in secret.
Ask God to somehow link you up with them in your country.
There is more safety in numbers...

And pray incessantly for your own family and friends...

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Most advice is coming from people who live in places like the United States of America...who have no concept of the shame and dangers involved with your decision to follow Jesus Christ. I include myself in this.

However, I also know that the Lord God provides...in amazing and miraculous ways...especially amidst such circumstances. His hand is most powerfully seen and evident in such cases.

Above all...I would exhort you to pray to the Lord...that He would provide fellowship for you...and grant you wisdom by His Holy Spirit...in accordance with His Word, the Bible.

I would exhort you to read and re-read these verses:
Matthew 10:5-42 and Romans, chapter 8.

God will even guide His servants, the angels to guard you...even as He already has. And, He will - through your prayers to Him - lead other Christians to you...to guide you.
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And when and as He guides you...it is likely that it will involve difficulties...just as Jesus Christ carried His cross, so do we.

I would encourage you to check these out, if you are able:
http://www.geocities.com/yachadhoo/JohnPiper.html

The third one, especially.

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Grace and peace in Christ!

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Answer 4

Baptism is an important part of Christianity, however, you do not have to be baptised to be a Christian. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward decision. As long as you confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord....and you believe in your heart that He died [for your sins] and was risen ... then you will be saved.

So continue to keep the faith and believing in the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Your rewards will be greater!

Grace & peace to you...

Answer 5

You do not need to worry about not being baptized- even though one day I pray that you will be able to follow the Lord in this- however it is not necessary for salvation- Jesus paid the WHOLE price for our sin , so that we could get into heaven and be forgiven from sin. Baptism is an important thing in a Christian's life however God understands- and like I said before it is not vital to salvation- it is because of salvation- it is an outward expression of inward change. I will pray that Jesus protects you.

Answer 6

YES YES YES Baptism is a requirement to enter into the kingdom of heaven. To whom it may concern ; Jesus himself will baptize you. He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost into himself. If you believe and exercise your faith in him as your savior and also your lord. If you accept him as your only means of salvation;as your sacrifice for your sin.If you believe God the father sent Jesus ;his only begotten son to die on the cross for your transgression;in order that you may receive forgiveness from God;;;;;;;; TELL HIM ASK HIM TO COME INTO YOUR HEART ASK JESUS TO BAPTIZE YOU. There was a thief crucified next to Christ who was not baptized by man but he ASKED Jesus to remember him when he came into his kingdom. " Ask and you shall receive"

Answer 7

Baptism is a ceremony symbolizing the cleansing of sins. I believe that even if you are not baptized, you are accepted if you BELIEVE that God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross so that we can have everlasting life. Be strong...once you have accepted the Saviour, you are never alone.

Answer 8

Baptism is important but if your not baptised, Jesus will accept you just the same.

Answer 9

Baptism: The Washing Away of Our Sins
Please contact Family Radio for the free book: http://www.familyradio.com

Online: Baptism: The Washing Away of Our Sins
http://www.familyradio.com/graphical/literature/baptism/baptism_contents.html

Answer 10

Ryder,
I see it as very important. Otherwise, there would not be nearly as many examples in the Bible of Baptism. Primoa and I disagree on this area. I see nowhere in the scriptures that Baptism is mentioned as optional nor is it called an outward sign after being "saved". I also do not say that CHRIST will not accept you otherwise because that is saying that we know something that we certainly DO NOT! I allow CHRIST to be the Judge and I attempt to follow what I read in the scriptures ALWAYS. BAPTISM – The Greek word for Baptism is Baptizmo. It means “to immerse”. Those who were baptized in the First Century (just as today) were immersed in water.

Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

1 Peter 3:21 There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Romans 6:3-4 do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Acts 22:16 “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

Galatians 3:26-27 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.

John 3:23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.

Acts 8:38 He commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.

Jesus said in Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

By the way, a person can be baptized in a bathtub, a pool, a pond, a stream, or a watering trough (for animals). Have a wonderful week.
Thanks,
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