Is baptism is necessary for salvation?
As I’ve mentioned on this blog before, I was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness. I was never baptized into that faith, but, I recall that most members, when they’d been raised in that faith, would choose to be baptized when they were in their early to mid or late teens. They were baptized by immersion – usually at a JW convention or assembly.
While I was in my twenties, I started attending an AME church. During the alter call, when I came forward, I told the usher that I wanted to join the church and I wanted to become baptized. The usher wrote down the names of all of those who’d come forward, and why they’d come forward, and relayed this information to the pastor. When the pastor stated my name, the first thing he said was: “She’s not saved. She’s come forward to join the church and to become baptized.”
I cringed when I heard those words. So, since I had not yet been baptized, I was not saved? The pastor’s statement bothered me for a long time. It bothered me because, in my heart, I felt I was saved because I’d accepted Jesus. I believed he was the Son of God, He was God, and He came to earth to save mankind – all we needed to do was accept His gift of salvation. I really believed this in my heart, and the fact that I’d not yet been baptized… well, if I’d died that night, before my baptism the following Sunday, I truly believed I’d go to heaven.
When I mentioned to my co-worker that I’d be getting baptized, she was shocked. She said adults shouldn’t be baptized, I should’ve been baptized as a baby. She said all babies should be baptized. I kindly pointed out to her that not all churches baptized babies. Some churches wait until you’re old enough to have an idea about what you’re doing. A baby doesn’t have a concept of salvation, and, in the Bible, it’s never mentioned about babies being baptized – does a baby know how to repent? She seemed puzzled by my words and said that the Bible was written by men, but, in her heart, she felt babies should be baptized.
I was sprinkled in the AME church, not immersed. I joined a new church several years later, and that’s when I was immersed. That’s the way I felt, in my heart, that I really needed to be baptized, but, I don’t think my actions affected my salvation – but, I just wanted to do it.
I believe once you’ve accepted Jesus, you should become baptized, as an outward profession of your faith. However, if you’re not baptized, I feel that you’re still saved. For example, if you’ve accepted Jesus, and while you’re driving, on your way to get baptized, and you’re killed in a car accident – I still think you’re saved and will go to heaven.
Do you think that baptism is necessary for salvation? What were you taught about baptism when you were growing up? Do you remember any details about your baptismal day?
Please leave a comment!
Matthew 3:13-17
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”
15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.
16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, who
m I love; with him I am well
pleased.”
1 Peter 3:20-21
New International Version (NIV)
20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 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,
Baptism Quotes – Baptism is subsequent to conversion rather than a saving ordinance, however an external sign of an inward work. Baptism isn’t optional for the believer, however a command of our Master to be followed. Right before Jesus came back to heaven, He commanded His supporters to preach the gospel to all people and also to baptize believers. Baptism is a hint to everybody watching that he or she has accepted Christ as Savior and that he or she plans to stay to please Him and obey Jesus. Everybody who’s remorseful for his / her sins, repents, and believes in Christ as Savior ought to be baptized. Understands what baptism indicates and when a man is preserved, he/she needs to be baptized. As quoted from the Holy Bible.
I agree that baptism is needed, but, not required for salvation. If you accept Christ, then you should get baptized. I also feel that your baptismal day should be a day that you remember.
Thanks for leaving the quotes.
THE APOSTLE PAUL’S CONVERSION
Before discussing Saul’s conversion we need to establish a point of fact. You cannot become a Christian and have unforgiven sins. If your sins have been forgiven you are a Christian. If you are a Christian then your sins have been forgiven. It is impossible to separate forgiveness, from being in Christ. How could you say I became a Christian last night but my sins were not forgiven? By the same reasoning you could not assert that I had my sins forgiven last night but I am not a Christian.
What is true for us, was true for the apostle Paul.
Acts 9:3-6 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what to do.”
Saul obviously believed in Jesus at this point, yet he was still not forgiven of his sins; therefore he was not a Christian. Paul was not saved by “FAITH ONLY.”
Acts 9:9-11 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying,
Saul believed that Jesus was Lord.
Saul repented.
Saul fasted and prayed for three days.
After three days on the road to Damascus Saul was still not forgiven of his sins. Saul was not saved by faith alone, Saul was not saved by repenting alone. Saul was not saved by praying and fasting. SAUL WAS NOT SAVED ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS.
Acts 22:12-16 “A certain Ananias….13 came to me….16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’
Saul’s sins were forgiven after he was baptized in water, not before.
Galatians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Saul was not a Christian until he was baptized into Christ.
Mark 16:16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved……
Saul was not saved until he was immersed in water.
Acts 2:38…and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of you sins….
Saul sins where not forgiven until he was baptized in water.
Paul was saved the way all men are saved. FAITH John 3:16—REPENTANCE Acts 3:19—CONFESSION Romans 10:9-19—WATER BAPTISM Acts 2:38
YOU CANNOT SEPARATE BECOMING A CHRISTIAN AND FORGIVENESS OF SINS!
PAUL WAS NOT SAVED ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS—-PAUL WAS SAVED IN DAMASCUS.
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