Baptism needed or not?

[Lifenevereasy]

:angel2: I have always been taught that a person who is not baptized cannot go to heaven, why?
I have very strong relationship with god in my life and I have long accepted him as my lord and savior as well as do my best to live by his word. Does this truly account for nothing in his eyes?

 

[Booko]

Welcome to RF!

Stop by here and introduce yourself -> Member Introductions

Also, did you want this thread to remain in General Religious Debates? It's fine here if you do, of course, but I imagine many non-Christians might pop in to tell you "no," since it's a Christian practice.

If you'd like it moved, just let any mod know where you'd like it. And if not...my answer to your question is, "No."

 

[James the Persian]

No, baptism is not necessary exactly. It is necessary for us to be, or try to be, baptised if we believe but God can save whomsoever he wills. There are saints that were not baptised and the Church always recognised baptism by blood and baptism by desire in addition to actual water baptism. In the west, due to the Augustinian idea of original sin, the necessity of baptism was historically rather overplayed, to the point where the idea of a limbo for unbaptised babies arose. The Christian east never suffered from Augustine's ideas of original sin and so similar things did not happen amongst us - we nevr have believed that unbaptised children would go anywhere but heaven.

James

 

[cardero]

“As for baptism, this was Jesus' idea of establishing a covenant with ME. Was it important? He thought so. The symbolism of baptism has ALL(WAYS) been a cleansing or a fresh start, whether it BE through water or through fire. Is baptism necessary? That depends on the individual. Do I demand or expect it? No. I LOVE you either way.”

HELLO IT’S ME: An Interview With GOD
Chapter: Jesus the Christ
Pg: 120

“Consider baptisms the first act a parent commits to in the formation of how they expect their children to act and live. I am not casting judgment on all parents or religions because I observe that children will eventually adopt, change, or drop their inherited faith as they grow older. They usually implement this by themselves. Think about what baptisms are for a moment, though. It's like parents are saying, "Welcome to the family! Now I expect you to grow up in exactly this manner."

HELLO IT’S ME: An Interview With GOD
Chapter: Parenting & the Single Parent
Pg: 320

 

[Anti-World]

Meh, it doesn't matter we're all going to hell anyway.

Did you know it's a mortal sin to have the "bread of life" (Aka Christ crackers) when someone is under the influence of mortal sin (Havn't asked forgivness for a mortal sin)? AND christ and god abandon you when you are under a mortal sin. The church is screwy. I wouldn't pay attention to any of those traditional practices because if they're right, I would rather go to hell.

FOR ALL YOU CATHOLICS OUT THERE: READ MATTHEW CHAPTER 5 (or six, not sure but you should probably read both anyway)
It specifically tells everyone to never use repetitive prayers. Church goes out the window all except the sermon.

Anyway... My point is: What do you think a all-knowing all-powerful god would think? I personally don't think he's sending BABIES to hell just because some old guy hasn't poured water over their heads....

 

[sojourner]

Meh, it doesn't matter we're all going to hell anyway.

Did you know it's a mortal sin to have the "bread of life" (Aka Christ crackers) when someone is under the influence of mortal sin (Havn't asked forgivness for a mortal sin)? AND christ and god abandon you when you are under a mortal sin. The church is screwy. I wouldn't pay attention to any of those traditional practices because if they're right, I would rather go to hell.

FOR ALL YOU CATHOLICS OUT THERE: READ MATTHEW CHAPTER 5 (or six, not sure but you should probably read both anyway)
It specifically tells everyone to never use repetitive prayers. Church goes out the window all except the sermon.

Anyway... My point is: What do you think a all-knowing all-powerful god would think? I personally don't think he's sending BABIES to hell just because some old guy hasn't poured water over their heads....

Let's relate to others by making hasty judgments of them based upon misunderstanding, and then hold rigid misconceptions about them.:areyoucra

 

[Katzpur]

Hello, Lifenevereasy. You're right. Your screen name says it all.

:angel2: I have always been taught that a person who is not baptized cannot go to heaven, why?

Based strictly on what the Bible has to say, that's "the rule." The complete picture is not quite that black & white.

I have very strong relationship with god in my life and I have long accepted him as my lord and savior as well as do my best to live by his word. Does this truly account for nothing in his eyes?

It accounts for a great deal in His eyes, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

 

[porkchop]

:angel2: I have always been taught that a person who is not baptized cannot go to heaven, why?
I have very strong relationship with god in my life and I have long accepted him as my lord and savior as well as do my best to live by his word. Does this truly account for nothing in his eyes?

Hi there. You will go to heaven if you are born again, wether baptised or not. Baptism is a commandment, and we should be obedient to Gods commandments, but you will still go to heaven if you havent been.
Have you been baptised? If not, is there any reson why or something holding you back? I waited bout 5 months till being baptised, as i was so nervous about doing it infront of so many people, but it was the most wonderful experience ever.
I am pleased you have a strong relationship with God.