Baptisim and Salvation

Is it necessary to be baptised?

I honestly don't mean to be flippant by this response:

Is it necessary to obey God?

If you can answer that question, than I think you can answer your question.

read eph 2:4-9 it is by Grace and mercy

Titus 3:5 one can not do Good work for salvation it is by God's mercy\


Baptism is done by the Holy Spirit upon belief 1 cor 12:13, romans 8:9

Is there any bible scripture that calls the Christian to baptisim with water?

1 John 5
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.

John 3
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Christians shouldn't answer this question as though the answer is so obvious. This is a much debated topic among highly respected theologans.

Not everyone who has been saved has been baptized. Ex. Thief on the cross right beside Jesus.

However, the gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts) do teach that the baptism is a very important turning point in a persons life. This is the time that the old you, the you who has a sinful heart dies, and the new you, the one who does not have a sinful heart is born. This does not mean you will never sin again. It means that your heart is maid right with the Lord and you will now truly begin to hate sin and will avoid it at all cost.

The next question may be: Why did Jesus get baptised? After all he clearly was without sin and never had a sinful heart. The answer is in Mathew. He was setting an example for all Christians to follow.

I guess my answer would be that if you are physically and mentally capable it would be wise to follow Christ's example that he set for us. That means being baptised through immersion in water.

At the same time, don't think that there are not special circumstances in which that Lord may decide to forgive someone who has not been baptised.

Please do not put the Lord to the test on this issue. If there is any way possible, get baptised.

I will also add that there are no examples in the bible of a person getting baptised by sprinkling or a baby being baptised. Jesus set the example and I think it is good advice to stick as close to his example as possible.

__________________

The last post from HeatherJay was actually a statement from Mark Jeffers (Husband). I did not have my own account at the time.

Thanx Mark Jeffers Thanx to Pamela

I was having this discussion with my father. I see it necessary to be baptized b/c I want to model my life after Christ. My father was arguing that nowhere in scripture was baptisim supported. I did not agree however as Christians are called to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ, and to follow His example (submission to God) Thanx ever so much. Maybe if he reads the scripture he will believe what the scripture says.

Hi water_ripple!

You're welcome, and I pray that the Lord will guide you in your efforts with your father, and also that He will bless you tremendously.



Love in Christ,

Pamela