Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?

[Smalcald]

I would say that it might be possible for a person who is not baptized to be saved, however I would question a person's salvation who refuses to be baptized when the opportunity arises. I think Jesus was pretty clear as to what he wants us to do, and to refuse to do so just doesn't set right with me. But that would be between that person and Jesus........ not me.

I can see why someone would refuse a baptism. When I first went to college I met up with some Christians, studied the Bible with them, enjoyed the fellowship and worship and made some really good friends. However they were really big into water baptism, and did not see me as saved because of this as I only had an infant baptism which was later confirmed as an early teen, not a real baptism. I myself refused the baptism because I felt that I had already been baptized by the holy spirit (John the Baptist said that he baptized in water, but Jesus would baptize us with the holy spirit), and to get a water baptism so that I would be saved didn't feel like glorifying God (for whatever you do, do it to the glory of God), but glorifying myself in an open demonstration of faith that I felt was unnecessary. So I refused to be baptized in water.

"Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."

He presents an interesting paradox here; sometimes we over think these issues. It says he who does not believe will be condemned. It does not say he who forgets to get baptized or he who dose not have a chance to be baptized will be condemned.

But then right before that, Mark says he who believes and is baptized will be saved.

We should all seek baptism, and why not, why would someone refuse this? I don't understand that at all.

I think Mark is talking about baptism of the holy spirit. Even the Devil believes, yet he is not saved. A water baptism will not save him, but a baptism of the holy spirit will, at least in theory.

Baptism is baptism, you are only baptized once according to scripture, it does not matter if it was when you were an infant or 75 years old, it is not about our decision it is God's work and grace not ours, it is a gift. So of course you would refuse to be re-baptized as doing that would show a lack of faith in what God has already done you did the right thing. I was baptized as an infant and I would never be baptized now again as I rely on the promise of God not my actions.

As the passage in Mark says; only unbelief condemns us.

There is no such thing as real and false baptisms, if you are baptized in the name of the Triune God you are baptized, period.

Does this mean, that if your baptized as an infant, you will go to heaven regardless of what choices you make?

Absolutely not, just as if you are baptized when you are 65.

As Mark says, unbelief condemns.

[Isaiah 6:8]

I would say that it might be possible for a person who is not baptized to be saved, however I would question a person's salvation who refuses to be baptized when the opportunity arises. I think Jesus was pretty clear as to what he wants us to do, and to refuse to do so just doesn't set right with me. But that would be between that person and Jesus........ not me.

I can see why someone would refuse a baptism. When I first went to college I met up with some Christians, studied the Bible with them, enjoyed the fellowship and worship and made some really good friends. However they were really big into water baptism, and did not see me as saved because of this as I only had an infant baptism which was later confirmed as an early teen, not a real baptism. I myself refused the baptism because I felt that I had already been baptized by the holy spirit (John the Baptist said that he baptized in water, but Jesus would baptize us with the holy spirit), and to get a water baptism so that I would be saved didn't feel like glorifying God (for whatever you do, do it to the glory of God), but glorifying myself in an open demonstration of faith that I felt was unnecessary. So I refused to be baptized in water.

"Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."

He presents an interesting paradox here; sometimes we over think these issues. It says he who does not believe will be condemned. It does not say he who forgets to get baptized or he who dose not have a chance to be baptized will be condemned.

But then right before that, Mark says he who believes and is baptized will be saved.

We should all seek baptism, and why not, why would someone refuse this? I don't understand that at all.

I think Mark is talking about baptism of the holy spirit. Even the Devil believes, yet he is not saved. A water baptism will not save him, but a baptism of the holy spirit will, at least in theory.

Baptism is baptism, you are only baptized once according to scripture, it does not matter if it was when you were an infant or 75 years old, it is not about our decision it is God's work and grace not ours, it is a gift. So of course you would refuse to be re-baptized as doing that would show a lack of faith in what God has already done you did the right thing. I was baptized as an infant and I would never be baptized now again as I rely on the promise of God not my actions.

As the passage in Mark says; only unbelief condemns us.

There is no such thing as real and false baptisms, if you are baptized in the name of the Triune God you are baptized, period.

Does this mean, that if your baptized as an infant, you will go to heaven regardless of what choices you make?

Absolutely not, just as if you are baptized when you are 65.

As Mark says, unbelief condemns.

okay just checking!

[Tinky]

I don't think it is because the Bible says to be saved you only have to repent and put your faith in Jesus. Baptism is a means to publicly show you are now a follower of Christ.

[Isaiah 6:8]

I think the crux of the issue is this, If you find faith in Christ you are saved be it in the middle if the desert and die with out reaching water. Water in and of itself has no magical properties. The obedience to get baptized is important but nor critical.

[other one]

I think the crux of the issue is this, If you find faith in Christ you are saved be it in the middle if the desert and die with out reaching water. Water in and of itself has no magical properties. The obedience to get baptized is important but nor critical.

Jesus told us to be baptized...... if one has the chance to do so and just refuses, that's being pretty disobedient.... if we say that he's our lord and do not do the things he has told us to do...... that could be critical. not that baptism saves, but what is defiant disobedience going to do.

[PeterH]

By whom are you being baptized?

Mark 1:6-8 NKJV

6 Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. 8 I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Being dunked into a body of water does not seal your salvation.

(edited because I misspoke and have been corrected) Thanks Smalcald

Edited July 27, 2011 by PeterH

[Smalcald]

You are correct about the Holy Spirit.

"16 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He[a] saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him."

Being dunked into water does nothing I agree otherwise every time we go swimming something would happen. Willfully refusing the command of Christ Himself is another matter. We have to have faith; by faith water joins with the Word of God in a real way in a mystical way, by faith we are healed from illness, by faith we have salvation, our dead bodies rise physically not just spiritually. Baptism is real it is not just another "thing" we do not just another "show".

[PeterH]

Smalcald,

You are indeed correct. I misspoke about refusing to be baptized. Jesus did command it as part of the great commission in Matthew 28:19. It's funny when you get caught up in what you believe then to have someone force you to research it in scripture to only find out you're wrong. Thank you for making me research that out.

[Smalcald]

Smalcald,

You are indeed correct. I misspoke about refusing to be baptized. Jesus did command it as part of the great commission in Matthew 28:19. It's funny when you get caught up in what you believe then to have someone force you to research it in scripture to only find out you're wrong. Thank you for making me research that out.

Hi Peter,

I know what you mean, it happens to me a lot.

I agree with your edit.

[SoGrateful]

I would have to say that Paul did not consider water baptism necessary for salvation:

“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel …” (1 Corinthians 1:17).

Edited July 30, 2011 by SoGrateful