Baptism.

[DorkiusMaximus]

So, I sound silly but after reading Mark 16:16, it's clear that I need to be baptized. This lesson_13_oes article kind of put it in a different perspective for me.

So now I'm worried, what if I die before being baptized? I guess the answer won't be too pretty.

I believe and trust in the Lord and his finished work for my salvation. I was baptized at 14 but didn't really fully understand salvation back then, it was early this year I began trusting the Lord and understanding things much better.

Thoughts on being baptized? I feel as if I really need to get this done ASAP.

 

[Albion]

So, I sound silly but after reading Mark 16:16, it's clear that I need to be baptized. This lesson_13_oes article kind of put it in a different perspective for me.

So now I'm worried, what if I die before being baptized? I guess the answer won't be too pretty.

I believe and trust in the Lord and his finished work for my salvation. I was baptized at 14 but didn't really fully understand salvation back then, it was early this year I began trusting the Lord and understanding things much better.

Thoughts on being baptized? I feel as if I really need to get this done ASAP.

I agree that Baptism is called for, and without unnecessary delay. On the other hand, I hope you do not worry about death coming before you can arrange for your Baptism. Even the churches that historically have believed that Baptism is the way to be absolved from your sins would not say that a person who believes and intends to be Baptised, but dies first, is lost.

 

[DorkiusMaximus]

I agree that Baptism is called for, and without unnecessary delay. On the other hand, I hope you do not worry about death coming before you can arrange for your Baptism. Even the churches that historically have believed that Baptism is the way to be absolved from your sins would not say that a person who believes and intends to be Baptised, but dies first, is lost.

God knows our hearts, and if it's what is required by him to do to be saved - well sign me up right away to be dunked. I have no qualms about telling the world I believe in Christ.

I've emailed my pastor, hoping to have it arranged soon.

 

[parsley]

Jesus said to the thief on the cross that he would be with Jesus in paradise that day, and there was no way for a baptism to take place.

Baptisms are public declarations of faith, and acts of repentance. The cleansing shows intent to be washed free of the past and ready to move on in clear-minded resolve.

I agree that Baptism is called for, and without unnecessary delay. On the other hand, I hope you do not worry about death coming before you can arrange for your Baptism.

 

[Purge187]

Jesus said to the thief on the cross that he would be with Jesus in paradise that day, and there was no way for a baptism to take place.

Baptisms are public declarations of faith, and acts of repentance. The cleansing shows intent to be washed free of the past and ready to move on in clear-minded resolve.

This. I don't think a murderer on death row who's accepted Christ before being zapped would be denied entry into Heaven because (s)he wasn't baptized.

 

[PaladinValer]

So, I sound silly but after reading Mark 16:16, it's clear that I need to be baptized. This lesson_13_oes article kind of put it in a different perspective for me.

That website is run by the Churches of Christ denomination, just for you to know, which is why its statement on infant baptism is wrong (due to the fact its definition of the word "faith" does not mean intellectual belief).

I also note that it ignores the fact that a string of "ands" may be put in any order and still come out the same.

However, yes; Holy Baptism is necessary.

So now I'm worried, what if I die before being baptized? I guess the answer won't be too pretty.

Is the desire known and visible? If so, the person is, to use a technical term of the Early Church, a Catechumen; a learner of the faith to prepare for your inclusion and membership in the Holy Church by Holy Baptism. All Catechumens in those days were always considered to be members if they were to have passed before their baptisms; their Baptism by Desire is what the Church long recognized.

There is also evidence that the Early Church interpreted the Scripture to cover unbaptized babies of Christians, since they would invariably be brought to Holy Baptism, but that was not as widespread.

I believe and trust in the Lord and his finished work for my salvation. I was baptized at 14 but didn't really fully understand salvation back then, it was early this year I began trusting the Lord and understanding things much better.

That's the problem with your understanding: it is based on intellectualism! We are absolutely not saved by any means of comprehension; THAT IS GNOSTICISM! It is absolutely unorthodox and, indeed, non- and even anti-Christian to make a case that we must understand and comprehend. Salvation is a gift for all; God welcomed all in Holy Scripture, even those incapable of such comprehension. "Let the little children come to me"; the Greek is for any young person incapable of intellectualism, which covers everyone age 8 through just newborn.

Thoughts on being baptized? I feel as if I really need to get this done ASAP.

You've been baptized. You cannot get baptized again. It is a grave and terrible sin to be rebaptized since it tells God He failed the first time.

 

[tonyRebornInChrist]

So, I sound silly but after reading Mark 16:16, it's clear that I need to be baptized. This lesson_13_oes article kind of put it in a different perspective for me.

So now I'm worried, what if I die before being baptized? I guess the answer won't be too pretty.

I believe and trust in the Lord and his finished work for my salvation. I was baptized at 14 but didn't really fully understand salvation back then, it was early this year I began trusting the Lord and understanding things much better.

Thoughts on being baptized? I feel as if I really need to get this done ASAP.

DorkiusMaximus,

No need to worry yourself. The most important baptism one can receive is the baptism of the Holy Ghost-The waterless baptism.

The baptism by water pictures the rebirth of the sinner and is in no way required in order for salvation. Salvation is given at the very point you come to God as a repentant sinner and ask for Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. (Believing in the death, burial and resurrection).

Water baptism CAN NOT save you, faith can!

God Bless

 

[tonyRebornInChrist]

God knows our hearts, and if it's what is required by him to do to be saved - well sign me up right away to be dunked. I have no qualms about telling the world I believe in Christ.

I've emailed my pastor, hoping to have it arranged soon.

The biggest show of love for Jesus is by reading and studying the Word of God, the KJV Bible. Being ducked in water is good and all, but getting the Gospel out to the lost world is the biggest service you are called to do.

I was water baptized when I was a child and have since realized that it counts for nothing, its simply a man made tradition which has no place in the scriptures.

Since obeying 2Tim 2:15, Im being guided by the Holy Ghost to follow the scriptures and to junk any man made fables and traditions, and there is a lot out there!

 

[Albion]

God knows our hearts, and if it's what is required by him to do to be saved - well sign me up right away to be dunked.

Hmmm. Well, I didn't say anything about being "dunked" or about Baptism being thought of as a requirement "to do to be saved." As a matter of fact, I purposely steered clear of those and similar misconceptions in my answer to you.

I have no qualms about telling the world I believe in Christ.

I've emailed my pastor, hoping to have it arranged soon.

Now we're talking! I'm happy for you.

 

[Inkachu]

So, I sound silly but after reading Mark 16:16, it's clear that I need to be baptized. This lesson_13_oes article kind of put it in a different perspective for me.

So now I'm worried, what if I die before being baptized? I guess the answer won't be too pretty.

I believe and trust in the Lord and his finished work for my salvation. I was baptized at 14 but didn't really fully understand salvation back then, it was early this year I began trusting the Lord and understanding things much better.

Thoughts on being baptized? I feel as if I really need to get this done ASAP.

Honey, you are saved by grace through faith; you are not saved by being dunked in water. Baptism is an outward expression of the inward change of salvation; it's important and it's a beautiful thing, but you will not burn in hell if you haven't done it yet.

Schedule a baptism for yourself, and stop worrying. Do it because you love Jesus and want to demonstrate your new life in Him, NOT because you're scared and think it's some kind of fire insurance.

 

[Angelfrog]

Honey, you are saved by grace through faith; you are not saved by being dunked in water. Baptism is an outward expression of the inward change of salvation; it's important and it's a beautiful thing, but you will not burn in hell if you haven't done it yet.

Schedule a baptism for yourself, and stop worrying. Do it because you love Jesus and want to demonstrate your new life in Him, NOT because you're scared and think it's some kind of fire insurance.

Absolutely this!

 

[seashale76]

Yes- professing Christians need to be baptized as we're told to do so. However- you've already been baptized once. Baptism is not a work that you do but it is a work of God that we submit to. As the Nicene Creed says (repeating scripture): 'we acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins'.

As many have been baptised into Christ - in various languages - YouTube

 

[Albion]

Well said, Seashale.

Dorkius Maximus can't be baptized again, and somehow I had gotten the idea that he was yet to be baptized and looking forward to it. No, once baptized, the only issue is committing oneself to the Lord. He says that he has made that commitment, so now neither of those is at issue.

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

So, I sound silly but after reading Mark 16:16, it's clear that I need to be baptized. This lesson_13_oes article kind of put it in a different perspective for me.

So now I'm worried, what if I die before being baptized? I guess the answer won't be too pretty.

I believe and trust in the Lord and his finished work for my salvation. I was baptized at 14 but didn't really fully understand salvation back then, it was early this year I began trusting the Lord and understanding things much better.

Thoughts on being baptized? I feel as if I really need to get this done ASAP.

'baptize' simply means 'immerse'. the NT speaks of at least three baptisms ('immersions' in different things):

-baptism (immersion) in water ('baptism of repentance'); Mat 3:1-12; Acts 19:4

-baptism (immersion) in Christs' death and resurrection; Romans 6:3-11

-baptism (immersion) in the Holy Spirit Acts 1:4, 5

water baptism was the ritual to end ritual worship for the house of Israel:

Act 13:23-24 KJV
(23) Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:
(24) When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel<not all the people of the world>.
text enclosed in "<>" added by me

Act 19:1-6 KJV
(1) And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
(2) He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
(3) And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
(4) Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
(5) When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
(6) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

these folks were already reborn in Christ ('disciples'), and baptized in water; so baptism (immersion) in the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) is the baptism of Jesus.

Mar 16:16 KJV
(16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

notice that Jesus did NOT say '...but he that believeth not and is not baptized shall be dammed...'

so baptism is NOT a requirement for salvation.

Luk 24:45-49 KJV
(45) Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
(46) And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
(47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
(48) And ye are witnesses of these things.
(49) And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Jesus' baptism, the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) gives us access to ('endues' us with) 'power from on high' - you can certainly go to heaven without the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and you might get there faster than you would if you had received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, because you won't have access to that 'power from on high' in this life.

The New You & The Holy Spirit - Andrew Wommack Ministries

 

[CounselorForChrist]

If you die before baptized it won't stop you going from heaven because baptizing has nothing to do with salvation. Its just a public announcement really. Like if I write on Facebook "Today I baked my first cake!".

 

[Albion]

We're beginning to debate Baptism, guys, not give advice.

And we have successfully presented the majority Christian opinion on the subject as well as the minority (Baptistic) opinion. It's up to D.M. now to act as his own church dictates.

 

[aiki]

So, I sound silly but after reading Mark 16:16, it's clear that I need to be baptized. This lesson_13_oes article kind of put it in a different perspective for me.

So now I'm worried, what if I die before being baptized? I guess the answer won't be too pretty.

Well, your church has got the wrong end of the stick about baptism. The oldest and most respected manuscripts containing the Gospel of Mark (Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus) have only the first eight verses of the longer chapter found in most Bibles. Thus, there is good reason to think that scribes added verses 9-20 to the original content of the Gospel of Mark. In light of this, it does not seem prudent to use verse 16 as a basis for teaching that one must be baptized in order to be saved.

You might also consider what Paul wrote:

1 Corinthians 1:17
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel...

This is an extremely odd thing for Paul to say if he believed that baptism was necessary for salvation. He makes a very clear disinction between baptism and the Gospel here as though the former is not an integral part of the latter.

Thoughts on being baptized? I feel as if I really need to get this done ASAP.

Well, as a step of obedience it is important, but baptism is not vital to your salvation. Not at all.

Selah.

 

[Albion]

You might also consider what Paul wrote:

1 Corinthians 1:17
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel...

This is an extremely odd thing for Paul to say if he believed that baptism was necessary for salvation.

No, it isn't. He is pretty clear about what his particular mission is, what God called him to do for the church. That doesn't mean he thought nothing else mattered.

Anyway, we weren't asked in the OP to find a new church for our friend, so it's up to him what he does with our various pieces of advice.