Does one have to be baptized to be saved?

[HopingForJesus]

I am not actually a new Christian per-se. But, I am renewing and working on my relationship with the Lord.
Does one have to be baptized to be saved? Can anyone give me the bible verses about this and some details?
I was baptized as a baby as a Catholic, but am just Christian now looking for a new church home. I want to be re baptized as an adult. I am not sure how this falls into the different Christian denominations as well. It is heavy on my mind. Thank you and God bless...

 

[snoochface]

You don't have to be baptized to be saved. There are many people who become saved and because of a situation like a health issue, for example, have no opportunity to be baptized. The thief on the cross with Jesus certainly did not have an opportunity to be baptized, yet Jesus told him that he would be with him in paradise that day -- he became saved at that moment regardless of the lack of baptism.

Acts 1:4-6 (New International Version)

4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Baptism is an act of obedience. It's a public recognition that we are sinners and are accepting our salvation from Jesus. There is a spiritual baptism that occurs upon salvation - at the moment we believe - and a water baptism that is symbolic and an act of obedience.

Mark 16:15-17 (New International Version)


15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

It does not say that whoever "does not believe and is not baptized" will be condemned. It says that whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 8:15-17 (New International Version)

15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

You can be baptized and not be saved -- if you are baptized in name only, without belief, you have received a water baptism that is symbolic of nothing because it was without belief. Salvation comes with belief.

Acts 10:46-48 (New International Version)

46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.


These people in Acts were saved and had not yet been baptized. They had received the Holy Spirit, which only happens upon salvation -- but they had not been baptized with water yet. Salvation and baptism are two separate events.

 

[Radagast]

Christians are told (repeatedly) in the New Testament to be baptised (see snoochface's post). Most Christians would probably agree you already are baptised. On the other hand, many churches (especially Baptists) would wish to re-baptise you. I would let yourself be guided by your new church home.

And I hope you find a new church home soon!

God bless you.

 

[HopingForJesus]

Thank you both of you. I do wish to be re-baptized as an adult, but this is really important to me as I am determined for reasons I am not even sure of beyond being extremely driven, focused, and believing that Our Father in heaven will rescue me and transform me more than ever no matter what I must face and find good use for me. It is a good drive, and I think He is helping me.

Thank you Jesus, for these kind people, and helpful ones on this board. May you look after each and every one of them. In your name Lord, and Glory be to God the Father FOREVER

 

[wherethebiblespeaks]

Mark 16:16 says Whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved. But whoever believes not shall be damned. Why would it need to say "believes not and is not baptized"? If I'm an unbeliever to begin with, why would I get baptized? lol You see the ridiculousness of that statement? Besides, who does it say WILL be saved?

 

[snoochface]

Mark 16:16 says Whoever believes and is baptized shall be saved. But whoever believes not shall be damned. Why would it need to say "believes not and is not baptized"? If I'm an unbeliever to begin with, why would I get baptized? lol You see the ridiculousness of that statement? Besides, who does it say WILL be saved?

Those who believe will be saved. In the context of this chapter, water baptism is not specified. Spiritual baptism - baptism of the Holy Spirit - is, and that comes with salvation. As the text goes on from those verses, He describes the signs of those who have been saved, and the signs are all acts of the Holy Spirit.

15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."

So whoever believes and is baptized (with the Holy Spirit, and who demonstrated these signs of the Holy Spirit within them) will be saved, but whoever does not believe - and is therefore not baptized with the Holy Spirit - will be condemned.

 

[wherethebiblespeaks]

So then are you submitting that unless people can perform those things, they are not saved?

 

[snoochface]

So then are you submitting that unless people can perform those things, they are not saved?

No I'm not "submitting" anything because this isn't a debate. I'm explaining that water baptism is not the point of that passage - spiritual baptism is. If you'd like to discuss this further, as it gets off the topic of the OP, you might want to start a new thread.

 

[wherethebiblespeaks]

If it is a spiritual baptism then why did the apostles baptize with water in every instance? Jesus told them to go forth into all nations baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Every example of someone being converted to the church in the new testament is mentioned as being specifically baptized by water. In Ephesians chapter 4 we read that there is ONE baptism. Show me how Mark 16:16 is referring to baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 

[snoochface]

If it is a spiritual baptism then why did the apostles baptize with water in every instance? Jesus told them to go forth into all nations baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Every example of someone being converted to the church in the new testament is mentioned as being specifically baptized by water. In Ephesians chapter 4 we read that there is ONE baptism. Show me how Mark 16:16 is referring to baptism of the Holy Spirit.

As I mentioned in the passage from Acts 10, salvation and baptism are separate events. Baptism with the Holy Spirit is upon salvation, which is why the people Peter mentions were filled with the Holy Spirit despite not having been baptized with water.

Water baptism, the public expression of redemption through Jesus, is an act of obedience because yes, we are told to be baptized after we are saved. But it is not the act of baptism that saves, and it is not a requirement for salvation, as evidenced by the thief on the cross and the Acts 10 passage.

I believe the Mark passage does not refer to water baptism, but rather Spiritual baptism, because it goes on to discuss some of the fruits of the Spirit. Water baptism is not mentioned in the passage.

 

[wherethebiblespeaks]

True they were filled with the Holy Spirit but doesn't Peter say in verse 47 "Who can forbid water that these should not be baptized,"

You say that the act of baptism is not what saves us, then can you explain 1 Peter 3:20-21

"Which sometime were disobedient when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now saves us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Was Peter lying when he said this?

Galatians 3:26-27:

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

So we are (present tense) all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus because what? Because we have been (past tense) baptized into Christ. Now can you be saved and not put on Christ?

 

[Forealzchola]

no you do not have to be water baptized in order to be saved...that is only an outwardly expression of the cleansing of sins after coming into the kingdom of God...for example some countries dont even have enough water to drink let alone for a baptism or full emerison baptism to be done so do they go to hell because they had no water to be baptized in...no!

 

[Radagast]

We don't need to be baptised to be saved, but Jesus tells us to be baptised, and we should do as He says.

It doesn't necessarily have to be by full immersion, though. As Forealzchola says, sometimes that's hard.

 

[snoochface]

True they were filled with the Holy Spirit but doesn't Peter say in verse 47 "Who can forbid water that these should not be baptized,"

Right, because these people were Gentiles. Peter was talking to Jews who felt that baptism was meant for the Jews only. This was immediately after Peter's vision on the rooftop that instructed him that salvation is for all men, Gentiles too. Peter was saying that since these Gentiles had been saved and were exhibiting the signs of the Holy Spirit, that the Jews should not withhold water baptism from them.

You say that the act of baptism is not what saves us, then can you explain 1 Peter 3:20-21

"Which sometime were disobedient when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now saves us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Was Peter lying when he said this?

No, he is saying here that 8 people - Noah's family - were saved from the flood. And he goes on to say that baptism saves us, but he specifies that the baptism that saves us is not the "putting away of the filth of the flesh", i.e. water cleansing, or water baptism, but rather the baptism that saves us in the "answer of a good conscience toward God by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." This answering of our conscience toward God is our decision to accept Jesus as our savior -- and that is what saves us. That is when we receive our spiritual baptism.

 

[HopingForJesus]

Thank you again for everyone's input on this matter. I would respond more fully, but I am in need of rest. I wholeheartedly want to believe with all my being that I am on my way with the good Lord Jesus by my side. And thank you all again...it is starting to sink in better than it was.

God bless each and every one of you, and may this upcoming Christmas bring many awesome changes in the name of our dear Lord and Saviour Jesus.

 

[Mister_Al]

I just want to mention that the Bible does not tell us to be baptised after we are saved. It tells us to be baptised after we believe.

As far as the thought of there may not be any water around to be baptised in, does anybody actually think for one moment that the same God that caused it to rain for 40 days and nights, and the same God that caused water to come forth out of a rock in the desert, can't even provide enough water for a baptism?

And, for the op, I think you should listen to that still, small, voice in your heart that is trying to persuade you to be baptised.

Be Blessed,

Alan

 

[Mister_Al]

True they were filled with the Holy Spirit but doesn't Peter say in verse 47 "Who can forbid water that these should not be baptized,"

You say that the act of baptism is not what saves us, then can you explain 1 Peter 3:20-21

"Which sometime were disobedient when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now saves us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

Was Peter lying when he said this?

Galatians 3:26-27:

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

So we are (present tense) all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus because what? Because we have been (past tense) baptized into Christ. Now can you be saved and not put on Christ?

The Bible Also says this:

Galatians 3:29 (King James Version)


2)And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.


We seem to forget that salvation was a Covenant Promise to Abraham through his seed(Jesus). And since gentiles have no right to any of Isreal's covenant promises from God (Eph. 2:11-12), then we gentiles don't have any right to salvation at all. But, according to the scriptures quoted above from Galations 3:27-29, when we are baptised into Christ we put on Christ (are in Him). And if we are in Him who is Abrahams seed, "THEN" we are Abrahams's offspring (and not before then) and heirs to the covenant promise.

So, now think about this--does God even have a covenant right to save a gentile before they are baptised into Christ? And, remember, God always keeps His Covenants.

Alan

 

[DDudeMan]

The problem I'm seeing in here is English. The word "Baptized", does it mean of the spirit or of the body?

The problem with baptism is that Christians all over the world stumble on both its definition in different contexts and verses in the Scriptures and on it's meaning or role in salvation, even the elect dispute this, people with great Scriptural understanding. However, at the same time the Lord continues to bless the Christians on both sides of the belief. By watching the character of the Lord in this matter, we can conclude that this indifference must be pointless, a distraction at best for those of us trying to draw nearer to the Lord. If baptism was a requirement to be saved of sin, then this would not be a distraction among Christians, but rather an accepted belief 100%.

When you take the position that baptism is not a requirement, when you approach the Scripture, when it seems like it's commanding baptism for salvation, look at the other context and the Holy Spirit will reveal the definition of "baptism" in that context, which snoochface has already done for us.

It's also well to note, that at the same time as this baptism disagreement among Christians, neither side seems to stumble on the fact that salvation comes through Christ, upon repentance, which happens to be the simple plain truth of the message. So the Holy Spirit has made this absolutely clear to us.

There is nothing we can do, neither by baptism or by the works of the flesh, in order to obtain salvation. This is because Christ is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Only He can save us, by His baptism. Where He washes away our sin.

Once we start adding "I" into salvation, this is where we are basically saying that Christ is not sufficient. Which is not a good place to be.

 

[dp07]

You don't have to be baptized to be saved. There are many people who become saved and because of a situation like a health issue, for example, have no opportunity to be baptized. The thief on the cross with Jesus certainly did not have an opportunity to be baptized, yet Jesus told him that he would be with him in paradise that day -- he became saved at that moment regardless of the lack of baptism.

Acts 1:4-6 (New International Version)

4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

Baptism is an act of obedience. It's a public recognition that we are sinners and are accepting our salvation from Jesus. There is a spiritual baptism that occurs upon salvation - at the moment we believe - and a water baptism that is symbolic and an act of obedience.

Mark 16:15-17 (New International Version)


15 He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

It does not say that whoever "does not believe and is not baptized" will be condemned. It says that whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 8:15-17 (New International Version)

15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

You can be baptized and not be saved -- if you are baptized in name only, without belief, you have received a water baptism that is symbolic of nothing because it was without belief. Salvation comes with belief.

Acts 10:46-48 (New International Version)

46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.


These people in Acts were saved and had not yet been baptized. They had received the Holy Spirit, which only happens upon salvation -- but they had not been baptized with water yet. Salvation and baptism are two separate events.

I have to disagree. These situations do not explain away baptism. The theif on the cross clearly understood Jesus's power. He may have had earlier teaching and even might have been baptized so that is not a valid point. John 3:5 says unless one is baptized of the water and of the spirit they cannot enter the Kingdom of God. In Acts 8:16 The people had only been baptized in the name if Jesus not fulfilling being baptized by the spirit. Therefore not being able to enter the kingdom. But if they had only been baptized in the Spirit they would have not been saved either. In Mark 16:15-17 It says whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. Two parts that must be accomplished It then says but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Which if one does not believe he will not be baptized condemning him. Acts 2:38 Says Repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins yet a verse earlier they were pierced at the heart. They had the believe in Jesus as their savior yet until they repented and was baptized they did not receive the forgiveness of their sins. As for it not having to be a full water baptism that is what the greek word means to be fully immersed. Not sprinkling or pouring. Full immersion.

 

[dp07]

As I mentioned in the passage from Acts 10, salvation and baptism are separate events. Baptism with the Holy Spirit is upon salvation, which is why the people Peter mentions were filled with the Holy Spirit despite not having been baptized with water.

Water baptism, the public expression of redemption through Jesus, is an act of obedience because yes, we are told to be baptized after we are saved. But it is not the act of baptism that saves, and it is not a requirement for salvation, as evidenced by the thief on the cross and the Acts 10 passage.

I believe the Mark passage does not refer to water baptism, but rather Spiritual baptism, because it goes on to discuss some of the fruits of the Spirit. Water baptism is not mentioned in the passage.

The fruit of the the Spirit being of those who believe not of those who are baptized it is specifically talking about the believe in that situation. Describing what happened on the day of Pentecost. They believed and the Holy spirit feeled them with the gift of tongues and then the repented and was baptized for the forgiveness of their sins as Jesus commanded the disciples to do in Matthew 28: 19