Why would a believer not get baptized?

[HTacianas]

I've seen the question here time and again asking if baptism is necessary for salvation.

Aside from that, why would someone not want to get baptized?

 

[JohnB445]

They might be confused thinking that they don't have to believe and they can just get a baptism.

You will be surprised there are people out there who don't believe in God, but think they are good to go because they took a bath.

But normally when one accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior they will want to get baptized and follow him.

 

[Dave-W]

Some denominations say that baptism is a "work of the law" that they are supposed to reject.

Others claim it was replaced by baptism in the Holy Spirit.

 

[JCFantasy23]

It varies. I wasn't baptised until I was much older and decided to find a church and get it done, although I had been a Christian since I was young. We weren't church goers so it never really came up. I wanted to find a church I felt comfortable in and that I belonged to when I started my search. I'm not sorry at all that I waited and am happy that I was an adult instead of a child, but I felt saved before the baptism and after it.

 

[RaymondG]

Some people find it unappealing to go swimming without a bathing suit, while having many watch and cheer.

 

[Albion]

They might be confused thinking that they don't have to believe and they can just get a baptism.

You will be surprised there are people out there who don't believe in God, but think they are good to go because they took a bath.

But normally when one accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior they will want to get baptized and follow him.

Are you saying that there are non-believers who nevertheless think that they will be saved if they are baptized? By the way, to BE baptized in any church would require them to lie about their beliefs, so this scenario doesn't sound to me like something that happens very often.

 

[RaymondG]

They might be confused thinking that they don't have to believe and they can just get a baptism.

You will be surprised there are people out there who don't believe in God, but think they are good to go because they took a bath.

But normally when one accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior they will want to get baptized and follow him.

They would normally want to get baptized with water, or the spirit?

 

[JohnB445]

Are you saying that there are non-believers who nevertheless think that they will be saved if they are baptized? By the way, to BE baptized in any church would require them to lie about their beliefs, so this scenario doesn't sound to me like something that happens very often.

My pastor told me there are people like this. I'd be surprised too since it doesn't sound logical someone would be baptized and not believe in God. But we need to be careful not to create misconceptions about salvation.

 

[Wordkeeper]

They might be confused thinking that they don't have to believe and they can just get a baptism.

You will be surprised there are people out there who don't believe in God, but think they are good to go because they took a bath.

But normally when one accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior they will want to get baptized and follow him.

That's why its important to be like John the Baptist and ask for the candidate to show the fruits of repentance, meta noia, change of mind, not believe in mammon, serving selfish interest, by holding on to the extra cloak, but in serving God...

You can't START getting saved by being baptised, but by agreeing to serve God, to be loyal to him, to be faithful. Baptism allows you to gather with the saints. Now stay clean, to stay in the camp...

 

[Dave-W]

They would normally want to get baptized with water, or the spirit?

Those are 2 very different things and it is not an either/or.

 

[RaymondG]

Those are 2 very different things and it is not an either/or.

so what is it?

 

[tampasteve]

Some churches just do not talk about it much or make an effort to educate their members on why they should be Baptized. My wife attended a seeker service Bible Chapel for decades and was never Baptized. She just was never taught on why she should be, they believed one did not need to be Baptized, but simply believe and be saved.

She is now ready to be Baptized and understands the necessity from scripture, but we are still searching for a more permanent church home.

 

[Not David]

I decided to get baptized when I was 15 because I was afraid of not been loyal enough to the Lord, especially when I had my own sinful problems, and I believed that when I would be baptized I would receive the Holy Spirit so I didn't want to have God in me if I wasn't committed enough.

 

[RaymondG]

Some churches just do not talk about it much or make an effort to educate their members on why they should be Baptized. My wife attended a seeker service Bible Chapel for decades and was never Baptized. She just was never taught on why she should be, they believed one did not need to be Baptized, but simply believe and be saved.

She is now ready to be Baptized and understands the necessity from scripture, but we are still searching for a more permanent church home.

Once one is saved, wouldnt the holy spirit tell them what they need to do so they would need not that another teacher tell them these things? Or do you fill that the spirit will not come before getting in the water?

 

[Dave-W]

so what is it?

A good honest Christian should get BOTH.

 

[Dave-W]

Once one is saved, wouldnt the holy spirit tell them what they need to do so they would need not that another teacher tell them these things? Or do you fill that the spirit will not come before getting in the water?

Most congregations do not teach their congregants how to listen to and discern the voice of the Spirit.

"so they would need not that another teacher tell them these things"

What is wrong with teachers? They are part of the equipping of the believers and are gifts to the body of Christ.

 

[Jon Osterman]

I have never been "baptized", though I was "christened" as a baby. This was entirely normal procedure for my family's church. The church I attend now does baptize adults, but I have never felt the need, and there has never been any pressure to.

 

[JCFantasy23]

My pastor told me there are people like this. I'd be surprised too since it doesn't sound logical someone would be baptized and not believe in God. But we need to be careful not to create misconceptions about salvation.

That sounds unusual - I'm sure it's been true at some point, but I doubt this issue comes up much at all. I can't see a non-believer wanting to be baptized to be saved if they really just don't care/believe. Like I said, I'm sure it's happened, but it's not common.

 

[Dave-W]

I have never been "baptized", though I was "christened" as a baby. This was entirely normal procedure for my family's church. The church I attend now does baptize adults, but I have never felt the need, and there has never been any pressure to.

I suggest you look up a youtube video by Derek Prince on water baptism. You may change your mind.

 

[RaymondG]

"so they would need not that another teacher tell them these things"
What is wrong with teachers? They are part of the equipping of the believers and are gifts to the body of Christ.

Well according to you, some of them withhold important information (see below). Which I believe you view as a problem. My statements suggest otherwise.....that they arent a problem.

Most congregations do not teach their congregants how to listen to and discern the voice of the Spirit.