Christian - Baptism

[Linus]

This question comes out of an other forum. Is baptism necessary for salvation? Or is it just a demonstration of your faith? What do you think?

 

[Scott1]

Catholics believe that Baptism is necessary for salvation.

"Baptism . . . now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 3:21; cf. Acts 2:38, 22:16, Rom. 6:3–4, Col. 2:11–12).

Yet Christians have also always realized that the necessity of water baptism is a normative rather than an absolute necessity. There are exceptions to water baptism: It is possible to be saved through "baptism of blood," martyrdom for Christ, or through "baptism of desire", that is, a conscious or even unconscious desire for baptism.

Peace,
Scott

 

[true blood]

I believe baptism is needed in order to receive the gift of the spirit, it's a baptism in spirit through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture teaches you must confess that Jesus Christ is your Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him [Jesus Christ] from the dead, then one is saved and able to receive the gift of spirit from God, which is God in Christ in you.

I'd like to comment on the above post dealing with what "christians" believe. I believe one must be baptized in "fire". This "fire" is a spiritual baptism.

 

[Linus]

I believe the same as both of you. Besides, every case of conversion in the Bible emphasizes baptism. Why would this step be included if it were not important?

 

[Nicky_uk]

Water baptism is not needed for salvation. There are lots of people who acknowledge Jesus as their Lord on their death bed. Jesus is not going to turn round and say, sorry, can't save you, you havn't been baptised. That however takes nothing away from the meaning of a water baptism. Jesus did it, and so do we.

Water Baptism IMO is a visual declaration to God that you want to start afresh with your new life in Christ. It is still personal, however, a physical act before God.

 

[Linus]

I believe that Romans chapter 6 states that baptism is more than just an act of devotion to God. It talks about how when we are baptized we are baptized into His death. And when we do this we are buried with Him into death from sin. It is a very intersting chapter that I suggest any Christian read and study.

 

[Nicky_uk]

I believe that Romans chapter 6 states that baptism is more than just an act of devotion to God. It talks about how when we are baptized we are baptized into His death. And when we do this we are buried with Him into death from sin. It is a very intersting chapter that I suggest any Christian read and study.

Yes, absolutely.

 

[Linus]

Death from sin. Did you pick up on that? When you are baptized you die from sin. If you are not baptized you are still living in sin.

 

[Nicky_uk]

Where are you reading that from?

When you ask Jesus into your life, ask for forgiveness, He forgives you from your sin.

 

[Linus]

Where are you reading that from?

Romans Chapter 6.

When you ask Jesus into your life, ask for forgiveness, He forgives you from your sin.

Very true. But that can only occur after baptism. Check out Romans 6:1-14.

 

[Pah]

This thread is perfect for Same-Faith Debates and I'm moving it there

-pah-
Moderator

 

[Nicky_uk]

This is one section of the Bible. God is greater and realer than what was being spoken about in that specific chapter. God does not restrict Himself.

We are saved by Gods grace. By Gods grace, By Gods grace. Someone on their death bed can be saved. God will not reject someone who acknowlegdges him because they have not been baptised in water. God is MUCH greater than that.

If you know God, you know these things. You can't just pluck a verse out of the Bible and relate that to every situation, you have to read things in context.

God is a God of Love, not of Law.

Taking nothing away from that peice of scripture tho of course.

 

[Nicky_uk]

I did reply to this yesterday, but as yet it isnt showing up :s

 

[Linus]

Just found another passage. Colossians chapter 2 verses 11-13 talk about the necessity of baptism.

 

[Linus]

Also, 1 Peter 3:21-22 talks about the importance of baptism.

 

[Linus]

Oops. Sorry about that. I don't know what happened with those two posts. I guess I spaced out and meant to put 1 Peter 3:21.

 

[Ephesus662]

Just found another passage. Colossians chapter 2 verses 11-13 talk about the necessity of baptism.

I do not see eye to eye with you on this, I would interpret the verse by saying, being baptized is only symbolic it means nothing to God. Its just a sign of the covenant relationship with God.

 

[true blood]

I believe Colossians chapter 2 is generally teaching to those who have their faith in Christ and have been built up and established to beware of the philosophy and deceit after the tradition of men and to not be subjected to their ordinances, I include the baptism of water to be one of these because the scripture teaches that we are complete in Christ and that we were[past tense] circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, buried with him in baptism, risen with him through the believing of the operation of God, the resurrection of the dead, no more bound to judgment in meat, in drink, in respect of a holyday, or of the new moon, or the sabbath days which were but a shadow of the things to come and since we have been risen with Christ, we are to seek those things which are above, where Chirst sitteth on the right hand of God. Remember the main theme of why Colossians was written was to instruct a correction of how to believe rightly because the doctrinal epistle of Ephesians was being wrongly divided, therefore practicing in error.

 

[SaraLee]

I believe when adults are baptized it is a demonstration of their faith but that baptism is not the be all and end all to salvation. If that were the case, woe to babies that die before there is time to baptise them. I will never believe that a child will not enter heaven because it did not live long enough for the ritual to be performed.
SaraLee

 

[oisin3]

In Islam they do similar. I believe that's where the Christians got it. Before all the protestant churches was Rome. From the Reformation onwards then to the americas came the many different protestant churches. Again Judaism,then Islam................