How can baptism be both worthless and vital?

Question

Pointless and optional because you don't have to be baptized to get into Heaven. Jesus himself allowed the thief on the cross to enter Paradise. Faith alone is what's required for salvation.

A vital part of Christian life, because Jesus not only set the example, but commanded it.

Say What?

Outward sign of inward commitment, so what, vitally doing nothing to gain salvation. Circular reasoning...please, oh please explain this.

Chris, did you even read the question? Two points and the first one to answer, you've received your reward.

Averell A, did you even read the question?

hasse_john, lisaempower, kait, thank you, Matthew 28:19 is no longer the Great Commission. It is now the Great Suggestion.

Answer 1

Baptism (for Catholics) is a must. It is one of the Seven Sacraments. It washes all of your sins away, and binds you to the cross, basically. You're reborn a Catholic afterward, and all that jazz. Take note that getting baptized is completely different for each denomination. What one religion does, the other may do completely different, or may do nothing at all, so.

Answer 2

Christian baptism, according to the Bible, is an outward testimony of what has occurred inwardly in a believer’s life. Christian baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The Bible declares, “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” (Romans 6:3-4 NIV). In Christian baptism, the action of being immersed in the water pictures being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection.

In Christian baptism, there should be two requirements before a person is baptized: (1) the person being baptized must have trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior, and (2) the person must understand what baptism signifies. If a person knows the Lord Jesus as Savior, understands that Christian baptism is a step of obedience in publicly proclaiming his faith in Christ, and desires to be baptized – then there is no reason to prevent the believer from being baptized. According to the Bible, Christian baptism is simply a step of obedience, a public proclamation of one’s faith in Christ alone for salvation. Christian baptism is important because it is a step of obedience – publicly declaring faith in Christ and commitment to Him, and identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Recommended Resource: Believer's Baptism: Sign of the New Covenant in Christ by Schriener and Wright.

Answer 3

Baptism is mentioned over and over and over. Even Jesus himself was baptized to set the example for everyone else.
Yes, he saved the thief on the cross, but he also told alot of other people that they were forgiven for their sins WHILE HE WAS THERE with them on earth simply because Jesus has the power to forgive sins, and now that he is no longer with us on earth, we need to follow what he said so that we can make it. Think about Cornelius who was a great man of God. He did so many things that God heard him from heaven. YET, God sent an angel to him to make sure he would be baptized so that he and his household would be saved. Being a good person doesn't cut it and it's not enough!

Here is what jesus himself said:

John 3:5-8
"Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

Also read Acts 2:38-41. The whole book of Acts is about people getting baptized to be in Jesus's kingdom.

Answer 4

Christians aren't the only ones to have used baptism as a ceremony for entering into a group. Like you said, it is an OUTWARD SYMBOL of what one has decided to do. Water baptism (being dunked) only does ONE thing FOR you: GETS YOU WET.
You don't like that explanation, well that's YOUR problem. Deal with it.

Answer 5

Water baptism doesn't save, and is not required for salvation. It is symbolic of the already saved soul.

The only way to be saved and go to heaven and not eternal hell is by believing that Jesus, who is God, died for our sins on the cross and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Answer 6

Salvation is a contract with YHVH. Take His name and follow His rules. You become part of the "bride" of Messiah. Rules include "be baptized if you can". It does not earn salvation- so in that sense it is not works toward salvation (which would be legalism) but it is following instructions, which is vital.

Answer 7

I believe that full immersion baptism is something that you do as a profession of faith. It is an act that you do to show other believers that you have made a decision to accept Jesus as your Saviour and that you want to follow Him. Jesus indeed set the example and was himself baptised to show us that we should do it too.

This hyperlink has more info about this.

Answer 8

Some churches think baptism can save. It's called baptismal regeneration.

Answer 9

WITNESS

that word says it all

EVEN JESUS did it as a WITNESS
and HE WAS GOD


and by the way
the PURE WATER is the WORD
and the Living WORD is JESUS
and with that YOU will NEVER thirst again !!!!!

Answer 10

existence depends on opposite charges.