I realize there may not be a simple answer to these questions.
1-if I have accepted Jesus as my savior, is baptism required? I have not been baptized, and am in the process of joining a congregation and would be baptized after becoming a member. For reasons too complicated to bring up here (regarding my mental health) I may need to put membership on hold. Which would delay baptism. If I die would I go to Hell?
2-if due to my issues I cannot join and get baptized soon, and baptism is required for salvation, are there pastors who will baptize you without you having a relationship with their church? Is this a legitimate thing to do?
I’m 40, was never Baptized as a child. I’ve been a believer for a long time, I just never sought out church membership and baptism. Now That my issues may delayed my baptism, I’m worried.
Hi BlessedVegan,
Please be aware that contrary to what some have told you on this thread, water baptism is NOT required for salvation according to God's Word, the Bible. Baptism is an intentional act of obedience on the Christian’s part that should take place after receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It is an outward, visible sign which symbolizes the inward, invisible change that has already taken place in the life of a believer who has received the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore, the act of baptism serves as a public witness and testimony of a believer’s new life in Christ.
There is no saving power in baptism. The act of baptism itself does not cleanse or redeem anyone from their sin, nor is it required for salvation to “take effect.” Salvation from one’s sin comes by grace and is imparted through faith in Jesus Christ, not by external acts, works, behaviors, feats or actions of any kind, including baptism. Therefore, if someone desires to be baptized, yet has not been born-again, their baptism will be of no effect and will accomplish nothing of value.
Below are some scriptures for your reference and study.
An Act of Obedience After Salvation:
“Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days. Acts 10:47-48 (NASB)
And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that
very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his
household. And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household. Acts 16:29-34 (NASB)
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:35-39 (NKJV)
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. [
Note: This verse does not teach that water baptism saves anyone, but rather it expresses what should be done after one has been made a disciple.] Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB)
Therefore when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), He left Judea and went away again into Galilee. [
Note: Baptism followed the “making of” disciples.] John 4:1-3 (NASB)
Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. Acts 18:8 (NASB)
But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike. Acts 8:12 (NASB)
An Outward Act Demonstrating an Inward Change:
Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. [
Note: This verse denotes what water baptism symbolizes: having died to sin and having been raised to newness of life in Christ Jesus.] Romans 6:3-7 (NASB)
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. Colossians 2:11-14 (NKJV)
Water Baptism Does Not Save:
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. [
Note: If baptism was a requirement for salvation, then according to the content of verses 14-16 Paul would be thanking God that none of them had been saved except for Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas.] 1 Corinthians 1:17 (NKJV)
And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.” [
Note: The thief on the cross was not baptized after placing his trust in Jesus for salvation, yet he is told he will be with Jesus in Paradise that very day.] Luke 23:42-43 (NASB)
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 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, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. [
Note: Peter is using the example of the ark (which provided salvation for Noah and his family from the destructive floodwaters) as a “corresponding type” to the salvation Jesus provides (from sin that brings death) through the placing of one’s faith in His sacrificial death and resurrection. It is this baptism that saves, not the act of being water baptized.] 1 Peter 3:18-22 (NKJV)
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. [
Note: The second half of verse 16 clarifies that only “belief” is required for salvation, not baptism. This truth is confirmed in John 3:16 as well as in many other verses of Scripture.] Mark 16:15-16 (NASB)
Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name. [
Note: According to Acts 9:17-18, Paul received both his sight and the Holy Spirit when Ananias laid his hands on him, and then he was baptized. Therefore, as Paul reiterates this encounter in this verse (Acts 22:16), he is simply relaying Ananias’ instruction for him to be water baptized, which symbolized his sins being washed away by calling on the name of the Lord. It is important to remember that forgiveness of sin can only be granted upon believing Jesus for one’s salvation. It cannot occur apart from salvation since forgiveness, eternal life, justification, righteousness and the indwelling Holy Spirit are all received instantaneously upon salvation from sin and its consequences.]
Acts 22:16 (NASB)
*Commonly Misunderstood Verses (with Clarification Provided):
Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” [
Note: The water spoken of by Jesus is not a reference to “baptism,” but is a reference to the water through which a person is born into the world naturally the first time (aka: amniotic fluid). He clarifies this truth when He says, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh.” Therefore, Jesus is simply distinguishing the “natural birth” (by water) from the “supernatural birth” (by the Spirit). This is further clarified when He says, “that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.”] John 3:5-7 (NASB)
Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.” [
Note: At first glance, Peter appears to be indicating that water baptism is the vehicle through which forgiveness of sin and salvation are received. However, this would contradict the clear teaching of Scripture which declares that forgiveness of sin and salvation are only obtained by God’s grace through faith in Jesus’ shed blood and not through water baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9; Ephesians 1:7-8; Romans 5:1-2; Romans 9:30-32; 1 Corinthians 1:17-18; Romans 1:16). Therefore, given that Peter declared to them in verse 21, “...it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” and given that these believers received (accepted/believed) his preached word and then were baptized in verse 41, it is clear from the surrounding text that Peter was instructing these people to turn away from their sin of having rejected and crucified the Messiah and believe on Him instead for their forgiveness and salvation. This was to be quickly followed by water baptism as a testimony of their salvation, having called on the name of Jesus for it.] Acts 2:38-39 (NASB)
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. [
Note: The washing spoken of here is not referring to water baptism but refers to that which occurs through regeneration by the Holy Spirit when one places their faith in Jesus for salvation.] 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NASB)
For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. [
Note: This verse is not referring to water baptism but to the regeneration done by the Holy Spirit which brings a person into the body of believers, the Church.] 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (NASB)
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. [
Note: This verse speaks of being baptized into Jesus through faith; fully immersed in Him, having died to self and put on Christ.] Galatians 3:26-27 (NASB)
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. [
Note: The “washing of water by the word” speaks of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (which is proclaimed through the preached word and written word) since His shed blood is the only thing that provides cleansing from sin and enables a person to be presented holy and without blemish before God.] Ephesians 5:25-27 (NKJV)
In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. [
Note: This speaks of being baptized into Christ through faith, having died to sin through burial and raised to life by God.] Colossians 2:11-12 (NKJV)
But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. [
Note: This washing of regeneration is what is done by God when we trust Jesus for salvation. It is not a reference to water baptism.] Titus 3:4-7 (NASB)
In closing, I really encourage you to study the scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you (and show you) what is true. Don't take my word for it or anyone else's word on this forum. Seek God's Word for the truth on this.
