• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

Is baptism a requirement for salvation?

WESTOZZIE

Active Member
Site Supporter
Sep 8, 2018
399
423
WA
Visit site
✟76,755.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
oh yes of course.
I look at the book of Acts to see what happened there with baptism. Especially chapter 8...The Apostles came to Samaria and saw that the new believers had "ONLY been baptised" in the name of Jesus. They had not yet received the Holy Spirit, He had not yet fallen upon them. Peter and John laid hands on them to receive the greater baptism, the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
At Cornelius' house ---as they heard what Peter preached about forgiveness and Jesus the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did to the 120 at Pentecost. No one in Cornelius household had been baptised in water, but the Lord converted their hearts in a twinkling as they received the good news, and He baptised them Himself with the Holy SPirit.
It shows me that the Lord Himself is not that concerned with water baptism....
Of course they would have been baptised after this for it is an opportunity to declare publicly Jesus Christ as Saviour and Redeemer and Lord...and to renounce our past gods and sins.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ExTiff
Upvote 0

Bible Highlighter

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.
Site Supporter
Jul 22, 2014
41,686
7,908
...
✟1,323,209.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
The Bible says:
Acts 2:38
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

1 Peter 3:21 NIV
and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Plus, the Bible doesn't say that Baptism is a lovely sign of obedience. However, people always twist the Bible to justify their ideologies.

I believe water baptism does not play a part in the salvation process (eternal life), but it only saves (i.e. remits sin) in view of having a new clean or cleared conscience before God. This is what I believe 1 Peter 3:21 is saying. Baptism does not save for the putting away of the filth of the flesh (i.e. sin - see the words "filthiness of the flesh" in 2 Corinthians 7:1), but as an answer or pledge in having a cleared conscience before God.

In Acts of the Apostles 2:38, repentance (seeking the Lord's forgiveness) is what actually saved them (which involves eternal life), and baptism only saved, or remitted sin (not in eternal life), but as a response in having a clean conscience before God. For 1 Peter 3:21 says baptism saves by it giving us a clean conscience before God.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: WESTOZZIE
Upvote 0

Not David

Antiochian Orthodox
Apr 6, 2018
7,393
5,278
26
USA
✟243,137.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
oh yes of course.
I look at the book of Acts to see what happened there with baptism. Especially chapter 8...The Apostles came to Samaria and saw that the new believers had "ONLY been baptised" in the name of Jesus. They had not yet received the Holy Spirit, He had not yet fallen upon them. Peter and John laid hands on them to receive the greater baptism, the baptism in the Holy Spirit.
At Cornelius' house ---as they heard what Peter preached about forgiveness and Jesus the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did to the 120 at Pentecost. No one in Cornelius household had been baptised in water, but the Lord converted their hearts in a twinkling as they received the good news, and He baptised them Himself with the Holy SPirit.
It shows me that the Lord Himself is not that concerned with water baptism....
Of course they would have been baptised after this for it is an opportunity to declare publicly Jesus Christ as Saviour and Redeemer and Lord...and to renounce our past gods and sins.
Wouldn't that be Confirmation or Chrismation?
 
Upvote 0

Not David

Antiochian Orthodox
Apr 6, 2018
7,393
5,278
26
USA
✟243,137.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
I believe water baptism does not play a part in the salvation process (eternal life), but it only saves (i.e. remits sin) in view of having a new clean or cleared conscience before God. This is what I believe 1 Peter 3:21 is saying. Baptism does not save for the putting away of the filth of the flesh (i.e. sin - see the words "filthiness of the flesh" in 2 Corinthians 7:1), but as an answer or pledge in having a cleared conscience before God.
I don't think anyone believes that one only needs to get baptized to obtain eternal life.
 
Upvote 0

WESTOZZIE

Active Member
Site Supporter
Sep 8, 2018
399
423
WA
Visit site
✟76,755.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I believe water baptism does not play a part in the salvation process (eternal life), but it only saves (i.e. remits sin) in view of having a new clean or cleared conscience before God. This is what I believe 1 Peter 3:21 is saying. Baptism does not save for the putting away of the filth of the flesh (i.e. sin - see the words "filthiness of the flesh" in 2 Corinthians 7:1), but as an answer or pledge in having a cleared conscience before God.

Yes, and for a lot of people right at the start of their conversion being baptised publicly is a powerful declaration to the spirit realm and all who see it that I now belong to a new Master and have forever left the old man, old life, old master behind me.

That's what we sea with Israel at the Red Sea, it did them good to see God's hand in such a powerful way, defeating the old Master Pharoah and delivering them.
 
Upvote 0

Bible Highlighter

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.
Site Supporter
Jul 22, 2014
41,686
7,908
...
✟1,323,209.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I don't think anyone believes that one only needs to get baptized to obtain eternal life.

Some believe it is merely one act amongst a chain of other acts as a part of the salvation process. I do not believe this particular act relates to our salvation.
 
Upvote 0

Natsumi Lam

Preparer of the Bride
Site Supporter
Jan 31, 2015
1,543
682
✟142,806.00
Country
United States
Gender
Female
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Private
Baptism is a ritual that has form and matter. Both are instituted by Jesus and perfomed by the Apostles. The form Is in the Name of the Father snd the Son and the Holy Spirit. The matter is water. Jesus said to do this and taught it is for the remission of sins and to recieve the Holy Spirit. I believe it is a necessary act of faith on our part and does what Jesus said it does on His part.

IMHO i think baptism of the Holy Spirit is different than water baptism.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

WESTOZZIE

Active Member
Site Supporter
Sep 8, 2018
399
423
WA
Visit site
✟76,755.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I don't think anyone believes that one only needs to get baptized to obtain eternal life.

This brother almost believes that...

Baptism: Our position on baptism is not a popular one among modern Evangelical Christians. We formerly held the typical "Baptist" position. But, after lengthy research, and consistently applying the principles stated in the methodology section, we were forced to abandon the "Baptist" view in favor of the view of the earliest Church Fathers. Learn why we now believe that immersion was instituted as the universal mechanism for obeying the Gospel. The "new birth" takes place when someone believes the Gospel, repents of his sins, and submits to water baptism.
 
  • Informative
Reactions: Not David
Upvote 0

Not David

Antiochian Orthodox
Apr 6, 2018
7,393
5,278
26
USA
✟243,137.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
Some believe it is merely one act amongst a chain of other acts as a part of the salvation process. I do not believe this particular act relates to our salvation.
I disagree with that. However, it is interesting you believe that baptism removes sins.
 
Upvote 0

ItIsFinished!

Jesus Christ is our only hope.
Sep 1, 2018
1,678
1,134
53
Middletown
✟67,772.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
You are not the first to think this, nor will you be the last. This type of thinking is flawed logic. Most everyone also does not understand that the word "believeth" is actually a verb here. This means that it is an action word. You have to do something, there is a condition. It is not believe in the English word use, it is written and brought over from the Koine Greek "pisteuō"

Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

So look at this verse. Read it. Now let me direct your attention to this and make my example and point.

Example:
Matthew 26
26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;

28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

29 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.

Now look at the bold underline words I pointed out here. And now to my point...

Can you use meat and soda for communion? How about potatoes and milk? Chocolate and water?

There is something called the "law of exclusion".

Matthew didn't say we couldn't use potatoes and milk right? Well why do we not use it in communion? Because we are directed in what we should do, use the break (unleavened) and grape juice (fruit of the vine). The law of exclusion is quite simple. And it is not acceptable to use anything else other than what was stated.

Here is another example:
" Do your homework and win a prize". Did I really have to add "don't do it and you will have no prize"? No. Just by me saying "do your homework and win a prize", automatically implies that if you do not, you will have no prize.

This concept is quite simple. Baptism is actually necessary and is a command.

Baptism is actually the ONLY way you can receive remission of sins and get the Holy Spirit... See Acts 2:38

John 14:15
Automatically implies that if you do not do His commands, you do not love Him

Same here in John 15:14 What is the opposite of this verse? Did John really have to record the opposite, or can you get the point yourself without him having to record the opposite?

See below how I respond to this other poster about the Thief on the cross with Jesus. It is so simple it will blow your mind.





It is very important also to realize when the New testament laws begin (for lack of a better word now) and when the Old testament laws ended. I say this kindly, you seemed to have missed this part entirely.

Was Jesus alive still while He said the thief was saved?

Obviously you will have to answer yes.

Therefore, was the Old testament law still in effect?

AHHHHHH. And therein lies what you missed.

The New testament didn't even begin yet since Christ was not dead buried and raised yet.

Therefore, Christ, being God in the flesh, could have that power to actually tell the thief he was saved without needing the thief to be baptized. Old laws were still in effect since Christ did not die on the cross just yet at that time.

And that is the part you overlooked. Once Christ died, people needed to follow the New testament, aka get baptized according to gospel command

Galatians 3:26-27

ONLY those baptized are IN CHRIST.
Not going to waste my time dismantling this highly flawed logic .
Jesus Christ saves, not Jesus Christ saves and baptism.
 
  • Winner
Reactions: Strong in Him
Upvote 0

Bible Highlighter

Law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.
Site Supporter
Jul 22, 2014
41,686
7,908
...
✟1,323,209.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I disagree with that. However, it is interesting you believe that baptism removes sins.

Repentance (seeking the Lord's forgiveness) is what actually removes the actual sin. Baptism is not for the removal of sins themselves but it is for the removal of sins from one's conscience. So baptism is not for salvation (eternal life) but as a part of one's conscience. It is an act that removes sin in regards to it cleaning their conscience of past sin. Peter says that we are saved in baptism only in having a clean conscience before God. Baptism is not act that plays any part in our eternal life or in being right with God. However, it is an important spiritual action that all believers should partake in. Well, if a believer is truly out to please the Lord and not themselves, they are going to want to be baptized.
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Not David

Antiochian Orthodox
Apr 6, 2018
7,393
5,278
26
USA
✟243,137.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Single
Not going to waste my time dismantling this highly flawed logic .
Jesus Christ saves, not Jesus Christ saves and baptism.
Nobody says that baptism in itself saves. It is a grace provided by God.
 
Upvote 0

ItIsFinished!

Jesus Christ is our only hope.
Sep 1, 2018
1,678
1,134
53
Middletown
✟67,772.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Nobody says that baptism in itself saves. It is a grace provided by God.
Baptism in any fashion does not save.
Only Jesus Christ can save.
Baptism comes after salvation not a part of.
It is a public confession (testimony ) of what Jesus Christ has done for you.
Do I believe everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour should be baptized?
Absolutely , if possible.
But it plays no part in receiving salvation from Jesus Christ.
 
Upvote 0