A verse on baptism? How do you feel on it?

Question

Is there a verse in the bible that says you DO NOT have to be baptized to go to heaven, or is there a verse that says YOU HAVE to be baptized to go to heaven. My dad is baptist and says you go to hell if you havent been baptized. I've been saved but not baptized, i feel it is right to be baptized, but the bible says it is by grace alone you are saved, wouldnt you call baptism kind of a work? does anyone else feel the way i feel? and about the verses..if you could help me out on that as well.

And saying God doesnt exist..and stuff like that. Please dont answer it your wasting my time and being rude.

Answer 1

You are correct ... baptism into WATER does not save you. But baptism into CHRIST does.

Just ask the thief on the cross next to Christ.

Colossians 12:27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

As you know, water baptism is the act of us identifying ourselves with Christ's death, burial and resurrection. i.e. He died, so my old man is dead. He was buried, so my old man is buried. And He rose from the dead victorious, so I have begun to also live a victorious resurrected life as a new creature in Christ. But baptism into water does not save us. Being immersed into Christ does.

Think of Noah. Now ask yourself:

1. Was Noah and his family baptised (immersed) into the ARK, which represents Christ, or into the waters of the Flood?

2. Were the rest of humanity baptised (immersed) into the ARK, which represents Christ, or into the waters of the Flood?

Noah and his family are a picture to show us today that we must be baptised into CHRIST. Being baptised into water KILLED the people of Noah's day. And still today, being baptised into water cannot save you. Being baptised (immersed) into the Ark, who is Christ, is what saves you.

I hope that helps!

EDIT: Another point to consider is the fact that the Greek word translated as"in" in verses like Acts 2:38 actually means INTO, not IN. Thus, the verse should read:

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

So, in the same way that God told Noah to enter INTO the Ark, Peter was commanding them to be immersed INTO the Name of Jesus, not into water.

God bless you!

Answer 2

There isn't any verse that says that you do not have to be baptized. I agree that you are saved by grace but let me show you what that entails. Hebrews 2:9 says that Jesus' death is the grace of God. God gives us Jesus as a free undeserved gift this is in contrast to our sins, Romans 6:23. It is through His death that our sins can be forgiven, Hebrews 9:22. This gives us forgiveness from our sins. Baptism puts us into Jesus' death, Romans 6:3-13 and Galatians 3:27. The purpose of baptism then is clear that it is for the forgiveness of sins, Acts 2:38 and Acts 22:16, and for a rebirth into a new life, John 3:1-7. Notice Jesus gives it as a command. He does the same in Mark 16:16. If it is a command then it must be done. As to salvation, yes, baptism saves you as for the very reasons above, 1 Peter 3:20-21. The ark wasn't symbolic for Noah, it was very real and essential for his salvation. Like the ark baptism now saves us to quote from the 1 Peter passage. You did bring up a great point though. We are not saved by our works, but by the grace of God as talked above. Baptism it would seem is a work that we do, but that is not true. Baptism is a work of God not us, Colossians 2:12. So we are not saved by anything we do, but by what God does.

Answer 3

Those who are hung up on the physical do not see the spiritual.

Paul said there is one faith; one baptism. God "baptizes" believers with the Holy Spirit, regardless of whether you get wet or not. Look at the example of Cornelius in Acts 10. He received the Holy Spirit without baptism by water. It was Peter's idea to have them baptized with water AFTER THE FACT. You might ask you dad what would have happened if Peter had not insisted on the water baptism. Would God have taken back His Holy Spirit if Cornelius had not been baptized with water? NO!

When scripture declares one must be baptized in order to be saved, it is the baptism of the spirit, and not water it is talking about.

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Answer 4

Your dad said you will go to hell if you haven't been baptized? Well, look at the logic there, and you will see a prayer of salvation and the work of baptism in order for you to gain your own entrance into heaven. Glory to you for telling God what to do with your life, and for making a show of yourself in baptism. Get out the camcorder.

If you're going to resolve this, you will need to take a look at the Jewish culture back in those times, and how circumcision and obedience of the law was the Jews' ticket to paradise. Not so, and we had prophets throughout the Old Testament imploring the Jews to come back to God in their hearts, not in outward ceremonies that they thought would gain God's favor. Baptism points to the same forgiveness of sins that circumcision did, only baptism is a washing away rather than a cutting off. Jesus as a fulfillment of the law rather than a replacement or supplement to it. This makes baptism a "sign and a seal" of God's covenant with man, that he can accept or reject. And the two examples that we see are the one Jacob and Esau, both being circumcised and God hating Esau nevertheless -- and therefore rejecting his circumcision; and of course the thief on the cross, who was probably neither baptized nor circumcised, yet Jesus was in authority over this rite, and accepted non-baptism. This does not let everybody else off the hook, though. In my opinion, baptism is a retained covenant that marks the Christian out as a member of God's kingdom.

No, I didn't pick out any verses, sorry. I would much rather look at a weight of scriptural evidence than cherry pick passages to try proving things that would only be taken as slippery slope fallacies.

Answer 5

Baptism is a serious step, but by the same token it is a joyful step. It must be made with intelligence and proper appreciation for its significance. To make the vow of dedication and then fail to carry it out would mean death. (Eccl. 5:4, 5) On the other hand, to fail to make it and hold back when one has sufficient knowledge would also mean death. Some may mistakenly feel that it is not necessary to be baptized, claiming that they have insufficient knowledge and will wait for a more favorable time. Remember, it is not baptism that obligates one; it is knowledge. When one knows enough to recognize that this old world will soon pass away with all its desires, and that the only way we can gain life is to start living for the new world now, he knows enough to be baptized. If one is morally clean at this time, then why delay?—1 John 2:15-17.

One could theorize and offer many reasons as to why it is not yet necessary for him to be baptized. He could think, ‘How can I live up to my dedication vows? What assurance do I have that God will help me? What will I do when difficulty arises? Will I remain faithful? Perhaps I should wait until I get more knowledge and it will be more opportune.’ Would this not be a form of rationalizing? Would this not be engaging in “the practice of explaining or justifying one’s opinions and actions solely by what is considered reasonable”; which is the definition of rationalizing? Also, would this not be leaning on one’s own understanding instead of God’s? Whose standard should we follow, ours or God’s?

Answer 6

The Bible says... He who believes AND is baptized shall be saved. (Mark 16:16) and he who does not shall be condemned. Also Acts 2:38 and again in Acts 10:48, "And He commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. He gave the example of the Ethiopian eunuch . They stopped the chariot and IMMEDIATELY he got out and was baptized. There are numerous examples of ADULTS being baptized in the Bible . Not one of an infant. If God has so many scriptures on this, then why wouldn't it be necessary for salvation? As far as being baptized , what does the church say you are doing it for? To be added to the local congregation?
In regards to works. The Bible says that you are not saved by faith alone but by works, but the first commandment is to love God and keep His commandments.

Answer 7

Although I am Messianic, I'm affiliated with the Baptists (I taught at one of their colleges and married one of their preachers ) and I've never encountered a Baptist of any "flavor" that taught baptism was necessary for salvation. I'm curious as to what Baptist group your father belongs?
You're right - salvation is by grace though faith alone - and water baptism is an outward acknowledgment/sigh of an inner truth - a witness to what has already taken place.
There's several verses and passages used as "proof texts" for both sides of the debate. I'm posting a link to an article on our website titled "Is Baptism Necessary For Salvation?"
I think just about all of these verses are considered there - and a link takes up a LOT less space than an adequate answer would here :-)
http://www.foundationsmin.org/studies/baptism2.htm

Answer 8

Two examples:
1) The thief who was crucified next to Jesus was saved, Jesus told him that they would be together that day in paradise. The thief never had a chance to be baptized.

2) Eph 2:8-9
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.

Note 'NOT OF WORKS' - no work can save you, and being baptized is a work. It is a great sacrament that brings you closer to our Lord Jesus and a testament to all those who witness, but not necessary for salvation.

Answer 9

Water baptism is not necessary for salvation- you are right it is by grace and faith alone- through the blood of Jesus. However, being baptized is something that is important in that it is an outward expression of an inward change.

Answer 10

You realize one of the thieves on a cross next to Jesus during His crucifixion was told he'd see Jesus in paradise, right? Did he get baptized? I think not. But he did believe that Jesus was the Son of God.

Don't get into this splitting thing about baptism being a work vs not. I do think you're correct that faith is what is required for salvation, not baptism--but it's not the whole story. Faith is where salvation starts, and obedience to the Lord is where it continues. There are baptist denominations that believe that baptism is NOT essential for salvation. This peculiar belief of your dad's, known as "baptismal regeneration," puts him in some strange company, such as Mormons, Church of Christ, some Lutherans, and some Pentecostals. Baptists usually believe in "believers' baptism," or "adult baptism," as opposed to infant baptism, as done in many mainstream churches. There's a big difference in practicing believers' baptism vs a belief that baptism is a no-compromises means of going to heaven.

We are told to be obedient to God, and the Word does tell believers to be baptized, in more than once verse. That means, as much as we can, we do as God instructs. We don't get saved, then go on our merry way, doing whatever we please. God has expectations, such as holy living and serving the less fortunate, as well as baptism. Since God instructs us to get baptized, get baptized if its in your power to do so. The Bible is quite clear on the necessity of baptism and of charitable works, and other things. Baptism is obviously recommended for believers, so if you want to follow God, you will be baptized if the opportunity is available to you. You will not forgo it because you think it's not necessary. That is not the same thing as calling it an absolute requirement, but only God can decide that, not you. On the other hand, if you think you know best and you can ignore the instruction to be baptized, then I think you fall outside God's instruction on the matter.

So be clear on this: There are works for believers. They aren't religious works, they are works of the heart, they are works that are small reflections of the grace and mercy that Jesus shows you, that you express to others, and they are works that are commanded in the word. You get baptized because you love Jesus and you want to follow Him, not because you are keeping a list and checking it twice. I will tell you in my experience that Baptists don't have a clue about mercy and good works, even though the Bible has over 200 verses about this very topic of showing charity to others. Get baptized if you are a believer, but stop having these unprofitable discussions with your father, and go find a church that isn't full of growling Pharisees.

The important thing I got from your question is, that you are willing to engage in these false dichotomy questions, such as works vs grace, or baptism vs not--these aren't good ways of understanding scripture or your responsibilities before God. If you are a disciple, do as the Bible instructs, and stop creating or engaging in false arguments.