Does a person go to hell if they haven't been baptised?

[Amélie Unbound]

Someone recently told me that Baptists believe that you go to hell if you haven't been baptised. That even if you've accepted Jesus as your personal Savior and made Him Lord of your life, it's meaningless if you haven't been baptised. Is this true?

I was a member of a Baptist Church for many years and I currently attend a Mennonite Brethren Church, and I have never heard this doctrine preached. I have always understood that baptism is something we do to publicly demonstrate our new life in Christ. No one ever told me it was a salvation issue.

To the person who told me that Baptists believe that you go to hell if you're not baptised, I said that maybe some Baptists believe that, but I don't think it's an official doctrine. This person insisted that it is an official doctrine of the Baptist Church (assuming he means all Baptist Churches... I know there are several different types of Baptist Churches, which makes it more complicated).

The thing is, the person who told me this is an extremely well-read and well-informed person, which is why I'm thinking maybe I'm wrong on this one.

Does anyone know whether he's right or not about no-salvation-without-baptism being an official doctrine of Baptist Churches?

And, regardless of official doctrine, what is your personal belief on this?

Any responses would be appreciated!

God bless you!

 

[Joykins]

Baptism as a requirement for salvation sounds more like a Catholic doctrine to me. That is not a Baptist doctrine. Baptists believe baptism is a symbolic act, and an act of obedience for believers.

 

[arunma]

Someone recently told me that Baptists believe that you go to hell if you haven't been baptised. That even if you've accepted Jesus as your personal Savior and made Him Lord of your life, it's meaningless if you haven't been baptised. Is this true?

Baptists believe precisely the opposite of what you say, so I'm surprised that anyone would make this claim. If we believed that baptism is necessary for salvation, then we would certainly baptize infants. But we believe that salvation is by faith in Christ, apart from baptism or any other work.

 

[Imblessed]

Your extremely well read and well-informed person may want to check his sources then--and if he sticks to that belief, maybe you you should re-think your view of him being well read and well-informed!!

No baptist thinks that baptism is necessary for salvation. In fact, baptist teach faith first, baptism second. It's an act of obedience. Important? Yes Required? NO!

 

[Amélie Unbound]

Thank you so much for the replies.

 

[mesue]

Does a person go to hell if they haven't been baptised?

The only way to go to hell is to not accept Jesus Christ as your personal savior.
That's it.

 

[ascribe2thelord]

Baptism as a requirement for salvation sounds more like a Catholic doctrine to me. That is not a Baptist doctrine. Baptists believe baptism is a symbolic act, and an act of obedience for believers.

I think it's all about societal significance. It used to be that repentance was a public thing - like John the Baptist washing people in the river. But he said that Jesus would come to baptize us with fire and the Holy Spirit.

Since the Holy Spirit is the seal of our salvation, it seems that at conversion, we are "baptized."

Only, this doesn't explain the reason why apostles baptized every new convert. Perhaps this was because for people around 30 a.d., Baptism was directly linked with repentance (starting new, turning from sin).

Today, people have become self-righteous hypocrites. It used to be a shame to become a Christian, and sometimes even a danger. It was considered unrighteous to follow Christ. But now, it is considered to be a very good thing - baptism is a ceremony now, sort of an initiation into the church. It would be too easy for someone to just step up, ask to be baptized, and yet never attribute anything to the event. People don't repent like they did in the old days, upon being symbolically washed with the waters of baptism.

Now, repentance is a private thing, between us and God. Since we've (as a society) become private - and a lot of people don't even know their neighbors, and we live in huge cities - conversion is a private thing. Baptism has become a way to show that you've become converted.

That's the reason why you don't have to be baptized to be saved anymore. Or at least that's what I believe. Anyone else have an opinion on this?

I say this because I wasn't really saved when I was first baptized. I got saved later, at the church I'm going to now. I got baptized again to show that I had been saved.

 

[Amélie Unbound]

Sigh...

Now the "well-read, well-informed" person is claiming that most Baptists don't know the official doctrines of the Baptist Church. He says Baptists are like Mormons or Free Masons in that the people in the lower ranks don't know what's really going. He insists that the official Baptist doctrine places too much emphasis on baptism and believes that it's required to be saved. He says that's how Baptists got the name Baptist in the first place, because of their strong emphasis on the necessity of baptism. I always thought Baptists were called Baptists because they believe in making the choice to be baptised as an adult, after accepting Jesus and becoming saved, as opposed to being christened as a baby.

I'm thinking that this "well-read, well-informed" person must have gotten his information from an inaccurate source!

 

[Joykins]

Sigh...

Now the "well-read, well-informed" person is claiming that most Baptists don't know the official doctrines of the Baptist Church. He says Baptists are like Mormons or Free Masons in that the people in the lower ranks don't know what's really going.

What "lower ranks"?

 

[rural_preacher]

Sigh...

Now the "well-read, well-informed" person is claiming that most Baptists don't know the official doctrines of the Baptist Church. He says Baptists are like Mormons or Free Masons in that the people in the lower ranks don't know what's really going. He insists that the official Baptist doctrine places too much emphasis on baptism and believes that it's required to be saved. He says that's how Baptists got the name Baptist in the first place, because of their strong emphasis on the necessity of baptism. I always thought Baptists were called Baptists because they believe in making the choice to be baptised as an adult, after accepting Jesus and becoming saved, as opposed to being christened as a baby.

I'm thinking that this "well-read, well-informed" person must have gotten his information from an inaccurate source!

This "well-informed person" seems to think that the Baptist Church is some sort of denomination with a centralized governing authority with an "official doctrine". That is entirely untrue. Historically, one of the most fundamental doctrines held by Baptists is that of Local Church Autonomy. Churches fellowship with one another in various association but each local church is autonomous and can break fellowship if doctrinal disagreements arise.

However, Baptist doctrine is fairly consistent from one church to another and one fellowship to another. None that I have ever come across has advocated baptismal regeneration...as has been said, Baptists believe in Believer's Baptism.

Have your "well-informed person" study the doctrinal statements of various Baptist fellowships and he/she will see that baptismal regeneration is most certainly not a part of Baptist belief.

http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp (Southern Baptist Convention)
http://www.garbc.org/artfaith.php (General Association of Regular Baptist Churches)
http://www.bgcworld.org/intro/affirm.htm (Baptist General Conference)
http://www.cbamerica.org/ (Conservative Baptist Association of America)


--

 

[mesue]

...That's the reason why you don't have to be baptized to be saved anymore. Or at least that's what I believe. Anyone else have an opinion on this? ...

You never had to be baptized to be saved.
Jesus said to the theif on the cross

Luke 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

There were no conditions. Jesus didn't add "But, you know, of course, this can't possibly happen until after you're baptized.
Jesus was baptized, where is His need of salvation?
His baptism was actually a Jewish custom of cleansing. A work of the law.
We are no longer under the law, we are under grace, for it is by grace we are saved through faith, not of baptism least any man should boast.

 

[Flynmonkie]

Someone recently told me that Baptists believe that you go to hell if you haven't been baptised. That even if you've accepted Jesus as your personal Savior and made Him Lord of your life, it's meaningless if you haven't been baptised. Is this true?
<snip>

To the person who told me that Baptists believe that you go to hell if you're not baptised, I said that maybe some Baptists believe that, but I don't think it's an official doctrine. This person insisted that it is an official doctrine of the Baptist Church (assuming he means all Baptist Churches... I know there are several different types of Baptist Churches, which makes it more complicated).

The thing is, the person who told me this is an extremely well read and well-informed person, which is why I'm thinking maybe I'm wrong on this one.

Does anyone know whether he's right or not about no-salvation-without-baptism being an official doctrine of Baptist Churches?

And, regardless of official doctrine, what is your personal belief on this?

Any responses would be appreciated!

God bless you!

No you are not wrong, however there are extremists in every bunch. I have heard this, and many times have seen Baptists come across strongly that we are "ordered" or "commanded" for Baptism. (Even in this forum)

I have been given those mixed messages too. So I can completely understand the misconception. Especially when one is wishing to be included in membership with a Baptist Church - I have felt there might be too much emphasis on "Baptism" in this sense. However, when you try to pin someone down on it - the subject becomes a slippery slope - so I don't bother with it.

I consider myself a Christian in an SBC Baptist church, so I can only speak for myself here. I do not believe this is the case at all.

 

[Sword-In-Hand]

Sigh...

Now the "well-read, well-informed" person is claiming that most Baptists don't know the official doctrines of the Baptist Church. He says Baptists are like Mormons or Free Masons in that the people in the lower ranks don't know what's really going. He insists that the official Baptist doctrine places too much emphasis on baptism and believes that it's required to be saved. He says that's how Baptists got the name Baptist in the first place, because of their strong emphasis on the necessity of baptism. I always thought Baptists were called Baptists because they believe in making the choice to be baptised as an adult, after accepting Jesus and becoming saved, as opposed to being christened as a baby.

I'm thinking that this "well-read, well-informed" person must have gotten his information from an inaccurate source!

This sounds more like the Church of Christ or Christian Church denom.

I've been around the Baptist denom my whole life, and not having to be baptised to be saved has always been a mainstay. You're well-informed friend, might need to re-google his sources.

 

[ascribe2thelord]

Sigh...

Now the "well-read, well-informed" person is claiming that most Baptists don't know the official doctrines of the Baptist Church. He says Baptists are like Mormons or Free Masons in that the people in the lower ranks don't know what's really going. He insists that the official Baptist doctrine places too much emphasis on baptism and believes that it's required to be saved. He says that's how Baptists got the name Baptist in the first place, because of their strong emphasis on the necessity of baptism. I always thought Baptists were called Baptists because they believe in making the choice to be baptised as an adult, after accepting Jesus and becoming saved, as opposed to being christened as a baby.

I'm thinking that this "well-read, well-informed" person must have gotten his information from an inaccurate source!

Tell us, who is this slanderer? Can we have his CF username so we can "set him straight" (hopefully in a friendly way)?

 

[Amélie Unbound]

Tell us, who is this slanderer? Can we have his CF username so we can "set him straight" (hopefully in a friendly way)?

Well, if you must know, the "slanderer" is my dad. He's not a member here on CF, he tells me this stuff over the phone.

Oddly enough, he was baptised in a Baptist Church many years ago, but now attends a church of a different denomination.

Thanks everyone for the replies. I really appreciate it.

 

[12volt_man]

Someone recently told me that Baptists believe that you go to hell if you haven't been baptised. That even if you've accepted Jesus as your personal Savior and made Him Lord of your life, it's meaningless if you haven't been baptised. Is this true?

I was a member of a Baptist Church for many years and I currently attend a Mennonite Brethren Church, and I have never heard this doctrine preached. I have always understood that baptism is something we do to publicly demonstrate our new life in Christ. No one ever told me it was a salvation issue.

To the person who told me that Baptists believe that you go to hell if you're not baptised, I said that maybe some Baptists believe that, but I don't think it's an official doctrine. This person insisted that it is an official doctrine of the Baptist Church (assuming he means all Baptist Churches... I know there are several different types of Baptist Churches, which makes it more complicated).

The thing is, the person who told me this is an extremely well-read and well-informed person, which is why I'm thinking maybe I'm wrong on this one.

Does anyone know whether he's right or not about no-salvation-without-baptism being an official doctrine of Baptist Churches?

And, regardless of official doctrine, what is your personal belief on this?

Any responses would be appreciated!

God bless you!

Like arunma said, not only do we not believe this, it's pretty much the opposite of what we believe.

We're saved by faith in Christ's atonement on the cross. Period!

Baptism doesn't save us, it's just a visible way for us to testify to the salvation that we've already received and a chance for us to proclaim our faith to the church. That's all. I does not and cannot save.

Now, I'm a deacon in a Southern Baptist church and have baptised a lot of people. I've also ministered in American Baptist, Independant Baptist, Free Will Baptist, B&MA and other kinds of baptist churches.

In twenty years, I've yet to find a baptist church that believes this.

Oneness Pentecostals believe this, but they're not related to Baptists. Many Roman Catholics believe this, but, obviously, they're not Baptists, either.

If you want to know what Baptists believe, there are two sources you might want to look into.

One is something commonly called the "Baptist Distinctives". The other is the "Baptist Faith and Message".

Both of these are non-binding, non-authoritative summaries of what baptists believe.

The Baptist Faith and Message is specifically a Southern Baptist document, but there is very little variation between it and the beliefs of other baptist groups. I believe rural_preacher has already given you a way to link to this.

Like rural_preacher said, baptist churches are autonomous so I don't believe that your dad really should say, "all baptist churches", as though it's a monolithic organization.

May I ask how this came up? (Just curious.) Is there a reason that he feels so strongly about this?

 

[Joykins]

Baptists are congregationally governed. The conventions are made of representatives from the churches. There is no hierarchy giving out esoteric teaching. Even if there were, and no Baptists heard or believed it in, it still wouldn't be what "Baptists believe." Baptists believe what they believe, and even if there were some deluded cabal of illuminati no one ever heard of thinking they ran the show, that would make no difference.

 

[thepianist]

Someone recently told me that Baptists believe that you go to hell if you haven't been baptised. That even if you've accepted Jesus as your personal Savior and made Him Lord of your life, it's meaningless if you haven't been baptised. Is this true?

I was a member of a Baptist Church for many years and I currently attend a Mennonite Brethren Church, and I have never heard this doctrine preached. I have always understood that baptism is something we do to publicly demonstrate our new life in Christ. No one ever told me it was a salvation issue.

To the person who told me that Baptists believe that you go to hell if you're not baptised, I said that maybe some Baptists believe that, but I don't think it's an official doctrine. This person insisted that it is an official doctrine of the Baptist Church (assuming he means all Baptist Churches... I know there are several different types of Baptist Churches, which makes it more complicated).

The thing is, the person who told me this is an extremely well-read and well-informed person, which is why I'm thinking maybe I'm wrong on this one.

Does anyone know whether he's right or not about no-salvation-without-baptism being an official doctrine of Baptist Churches?

And, regardless of official doctrine, what is your personal belief on this?

Any responses would be appreciated!

God bless you!

Gee, I'm really shocked that ANY Baptist would say such a thing! One of the main reasons I am a Baptist is that their doctrine is salvation is by grace - through faith - which simply means: Accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, plus nothing, minus nothing.

Baptism is merely the first step in obedience to Christ and is the door for membership into the church. It is a picture of Christ's death, burial and resurrection.

 

[DeaconDean]

Baptism is not a requirement of salvation. Paul said if you confess with the mouth, believe in your heart that God rose Jesus from the grave, you will be saved. (Paraphrasing mine) Romans 10:9

Baptism is an ordinance instituted by Jesus that we must do. Did the thief on the cross get baptized? Didn't Jesus say to him "today thou shalt be with me in paradise." Paul explains what baptism in Romans 6:1 here he says: "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Here is what the Baptist Faith and Message of 2000 says regarding Baptism:

VII. Baptism and the Lord's Supper

Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer's faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Saviour, the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord's Supper.

The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby members of the church, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, memorialize the death of the Redeemer and anticipate His second coming.

Matthew 3:13-17; 26:26-30; 28:19-20; Mark 1:9-11; 14:22-26; Luke 3:21-22; 22:19-20; John 3:23; Acts 2:41-42; 8:35-39; 16:30-33; 20:7; Romans 6:3-5; 1 Corinthians 10:16,21; 11:23-29; Colossians 2:12.


I hope this helps.

 

[arunma]

I've noticed that if you really press a paedobaptist, then even he will admit that people who don't receive baptism can be saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Of course, it's usually by some excuse such as "baptism by desire," but it's better than nothing.