Can I be a Christian if I haven't been baptised?

[holderlin]

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[child0fg0d88]

This might stir some things up a bit...

This very topic is one of the reasons why there are so many denominations.

Do I believer I need some to dunk me in a tub of water to save my eternal soul? No. I believe this to be a works if you will, and it would be requiring ME to do an act to save my soul, instead of giving the credit to Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Titus 3:5 He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.

There are many verses in the bible saying that are translated that we should be baptized to be saved... But I do not believe the bible contradicts itself, and I still believe the act of being baptized to be a works on mans part.

I think anybody who truly believes Jesus is their Lord and Savior has already been baptized in the Holy Spirit.

I believe any believer should be baptized, but the key word there is that they are already a believer. It should be a representation of letting the old self die, and being reborn. Much like what Jesus did on the cross.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

You may get a few different answers here though.

 

[LilLamb219]

Hi, this is my first post here, I'm 26 and circumstances in life have led me here to find out more about Christianity.

My first question is to do with baptism, my parents never baptised me as a child and have never spoken to me about religion. Is it possible to be a Christian if I haven't been baptised?

Thanks for the help.

The answer is YES.

We are saved by grace through faith. Faith grasps onto the good news that God came to earth in the form of man, lived the perfectly life we could not and died on the cross in our place for the forgiveness of our sins. He has reconciled us to Him and those who trust in this will have eternal life.

Baptism is one of the means God uses to bring us the benefits of the cross.

The next question is why would any Christian not want to be baptized?

 

[child0fg0d88]

The next question is why would any Christian not want to be baptized?

Exactly. Someone should already be a believer before they are baptized. Which requires someone to be old enough to make that decision for themselves...

 

[Roseheart]

Hi, this is my first post here, I'm 26 and circumstances in life have led me here to find out more about Christianity.

My first question is to do with baptism, my parents never baptised me as a child and have never spoken to me about religion. Is it possible to be a Christian if I haven't been baptised?

Thanks for the help.

Some people may say you can't be saved if you haven't been baptised. The Catholic teaching, for example, is that you can't be saved if you hasn't been baptised. However, in my opinion, it is only faith in Jesus that saves you, not baptism.

Anyway, you can still be baptised! I'm sorry if this is a misinterpretation on my part, but your post seems to lead me to think you believe only children can get baptised? That's not true! All of the people baptised in the Bible were adults. If you haven't found a church yet, then, once you have, you can ask to be baptised there, if you wish.

 

[holderlin]

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[Roseheart]

Perhaps you'll want to read this article:

Is baptism necessary for salvation? What is baptismal regeneration?

That whole website in general I find very helpful whenever I have a question about Christianity. I hope you'll find it helpful, too.

God bless and I hope you'll grow stronger in Christ.

 

[child0fg0d88]

Thanks everyone, don't want to stir up an old topic, just looking for some personal advice.

I wouldn't want to be baptised before I have a better understanding the scripture, but that is going to take time for me. My parents have never spoken to me about religion, but I have seen them saying some kind of prayer in private.

I heard that the thief on the cross was not baptised and some people interpret this as saying you don't have to be baptised?

I agree with you, this to me shows that God measures our hearts far more than the deeds we do.

Many will argue here that Jesus hadn't died yet when the thief gave his life to Christ so we were still under the old covenant. Even though many people during this time were still being baptized...

The thief on the cross was baptized in the Holy Spirit I believe, here's another example...

Let's say a young woman has lived a sinful life... and one day goes to church and finds God, and says "Yes Lord, you are more Lord and Savior!" On the way home, she dies in a car accident. Is she going to hell because she didn't get baptized by a priest or pastor in a tub of water?

No... I don't think so...

Also what happens to small children or aborted children's souls? I believe we have a righteous and fair God who will not condemn this who have yet to possibly understand what sin is...

Bible Questions Answered

This website will answer a lot of what the bible says about these issues. Check it out!

 

[Pal Handy]

Thanks everyone, don't want to stir up an old topic, just looking for some personal advice.

I wouldn't want to be baptized before I have a better understanding the scripture, but that is going to take time for me. My parents have never spoken to me about religion, but I have seen them saying some kind of prayer in private.

I heard that the thief on the cross was not baptised and some people interpret this as saying you don't have to be baptized?

Yes you can receive Christ without baptism but
it is still important to be baptized because the Lord commanded
His disciples to go and preach the gospel and to baptize
and Jesus Himself gave us the example when He was baptized.



John preceded Christ with repentance and baptism.

Christ Himself was baptized.
Matthew 3:13
Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him.

Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize.
Matthew 28:19
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

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

So I would never tell anyone not to be baptized.
I would never tell anyone it wasn't important.
I would encourage any and all who receive Christ to be baptized.

 

[holderlin]

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[child0fg0d88]

The bible does certainly have the answers my friend. Not all of it is easy to understand. I'm only 23... but I have been going to church all of my life, and I still learn new information each and every day about it. You've come to the right spot to start looking for answers, but I would bookmark the site that myself and Roseheart showed you. Lots of great information for you.

 

[holderlin]

Thanks, and bookmarked. I'm glad to be here.

 

[child0fg0d88]

Haha, I can tell you people will disagree with each other a decent amount on here, so it might me hard to tell which statements are closest to the truth. But I think God gave each of us a brain for a reason, and we are able to discern the truth to us through our own thought processes and if it is in accordance with scripture as well.

 

[LilLamb219]

Exactly. Someone should already be a believer before they are baptized. Which requires someone to be old enough to make that decision for themselves...

Since you responded to my post...

That's not what I said.

Baptism is God's work, not man's, thus children CAN be baptized. Baptism and teaching go hand in hand. I also do not believe in decision theology because of John 15:16.

Baptism saves us as 1 Peter 3:21 states. It's not the water that saves, but the promise of God attached to the water...the promise that is a connection to the cross...that gives us the forgiveness won at the cross.

Who woudn't want the benefits that baptism brings?

Edited to reinforce...what saves us is Christ. God gives us the gift of faith to believe...and faith comes by His Word. We receive faith when we hear His Word in scriptures...but in baptism it is the water & the Word, so faith can also come by baptism.

 

[holderlin]

Can you be a Christian if you don't know the bible is probably a more controversial question.

 

[holderlin]

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[Prayer Circle]

I'd ask, how do you feel about being immersed wholly in water? Check etymology dictionary online for the origin of the word; Baptism.


“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)

If God is immanent, then Jesus, who was of God is alive in every fiber of your being. And perhaps that is why you feel called to follow his light. Therefore, listen to the message the Holy Spirit (i.e. the messenger, the helper) delivers unto you.

As was said, that is his covenant and his message no matter what manner of man's doctrine comes after or interprets as more or less than that. John 14:26

Be Blesssed. ​

 

[LilLamb219]

Can you be a Christian if you don't know the bible is probably a more controversial question.

For example, death dumb and blind people.

It's not about knowing the Bible, but that faith is given to know the Savior.

John the Baptist leaped for joy in his mother's womb when Mary, carrying Jesus at that time, came near.

God uses His Word to give us faith, even those who are deaf and "dumb" God can surely reach with no problem

 

[holderlin]

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[holderlin]

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