Is Baptism necessary for Salvation?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Dec 30, 2020
868
228
43
You said it. Converts.

Those who washed
in the tradition of Mikveh were already saved and baptized by the holy spirit.


Cleansing themselves by immersion did not save them.

As you yourself said. They were already converts.

These were Jews receiving Jesus teaching. Mikveh is ritual cleansing.

This you might find very helpful: https://www.calledoutbelievers.org/tevilah-and-mikvah/

When they cleansed the body through Mikveh, "Baptism'', they purified their bodies by Jewish tradition . Cleansing themselves to receive the pure indwelling holy spirit.

Immersion liquid water baptism did not save them. They , as you said, were already converts,converted, saved.

Beware false teachers who abrogate with purpose God's message.

They paste false teaching to repeat the same purposeful misleading assertion in order to take away from the truth of God's work on the cross.

We are saved the moment we believe and our sins are forgiven in that moment and God will not hold those against us ever again.

That's the covenant God died to seal from the cross.

Jesus was God,The Word, made flesh who dwelt among us as Emmanuel,''God with us''.

Any doctrine that tells you you are not in God's salvation until and unless you are immersed in liquid water is Satanic by definition. Adverse to the truth of God in Christ.
Satan has his disciples too.


They can't lead God's elect from Salvation.

They can and do labor to corrupt the words of The Word.

Because chaos is their abode. And eternal hell their destiny. If they can serve to generate confusion and push adverse teachings against God's truth they'll have fun while there's still time.
And gain satisfaction if they can cause conflict among the saints. They are legion.


You are saved the moment you believe. And your sins are eternally wiped clean by the blood of the Lamb that was God and is God.
His blood sealed that promise. That covenant, for eternity.

God is not a man that he should lie.

Men pushing adverse doctrines do.

Believe God who saves.

Pray for discernment to know the lies of those who are not. God sees them and hears every word. And one day they will answer for every one of them.

I was going to leave this thread before. Now I shall. God's words reach his chosen. We can only hope to encourage our sisters and brothers to study and know the truth.

If we keep paying attention to enemies of the word that will take us into their world as we think to change fallen natural minds.
That's naive.Even arrogant. The natural mind will never understand. And it is only God who can lead the change and open the natural man's consciousness as one called by his grace into faith and Salvation.

We are simply wasting our time when natural minds are happy to stay lost. And argue why that is righteous by abrogating the scriptures in their defense.

God continue to bless and protect his Elect.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12
 
Jun 5, 2020
941
169
43
On the day of Pentecost Jesus has FINISHED his works,
So what is He doing sitting at the right hand of God? He isn't twiddling His thumbs!

Acts 5:31, "God exalted him to his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins."

Romans 8:34, "Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us."
 
Aug 2, 2021
7,317
2,048
113
Hi David. I would like to remind you that you can talk (type) till you are blue on the face, but ultimately it is God's Holy Spirit that opens a person's eyes and understanding. As for me, just the fact that there are people like You and Bluesproverb on this site is encouraging. All that we can do is present the scriptures, our interpretations, pray for enlightenment for ourselves and them, and let God do the rest. I'm not saying to quit easily on them, but when you have exhausted all your attempts what is there to do but back off and wish them well.
Thank You and Amen
 
Jun 28, 2022
1,258
383
83
On the day of Pentecost Jesus has FINISHED his works,
Immanuel Jesus finished his work of delivering and sealing the new covenant Gospel from the cross. As he stated. ''It is accomplished.'' .

The day of Pentecost was Jesus fulfilling his earlier promise.

John 14:15 If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you for ever, 17 even the Spirit of truth: whom the world cannot receive; for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him: ye know him; for he abideth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you desolate: I come unto you.
 
Jun 5, 2020
941
169
43
Baptism is an act of obedience for a Christian but the belief that baptism is necessary for salvation is adding to Christ's finished work on the cross. This belief is also referred to as 'baptismal regeneration'.

Those who believe that baptism is part of salvation usually have a four part formula for how salvation is received. This formula does not follow the biblical path of salvation by faith alone, but rather stringently insists that baptism 'washes' away sin. Scripture assures us that salvation is through faith alone and works do not save.

Requiring anything in addition to faith in Jesus Christ for salvation is a works-based salvation. To add anything to the gospel is to say that Jesus’ death on the cross was not sufficient to purchase our salvation. Jesus’ death alone paid for our sins (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus’ payment for our sins is appropriated to our “account” by faith alone (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8-9).

Scripture does not contradict itself. We will never come to the right understanding if we excuse verses or passages that show that works are not a part of salvation.

It is a common practice for those who believe in baptismal regeneration, to isolate certain verses that seem to say we must be water baptized for the forgiveness of sin; however keeping such verses in context, it soon becomes clear that is not the intended understanding. For example, I Peter 3:21, is a favorite verse of those who focus on water. As follows:

Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

However, this is a verse taken out of context and the intention is to focus on, again, water as a source for removal of sins.

The Bible is clear that salvation does not consist of any actions on our part other than accepting Christ, which is an action of faith and not the physical completion of compliance in order to be saved.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2 Peter would be contradicting himself in examination of scripture such as these verses from Ephesians, and obviously he would not be doing that.

Cornelius and his household were saved before being baptized (Acts 10). They had already received the Holy Spirit which is evidence of salvation (Romans 8:9, Ephesians 1:13, I John 3:24) . In fact, the important thing to understand here, to acknowledge here, is that Peter indicated the need of baptism BECAUSE they had become believers and had received the Holy Spirit. Countless passages of Scripture clearly teach that salvation comes when one believes in the gospel, at which time he or she is sealed “in Christ with the Holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13)

The baptism that Peter states 'saves us', is clearly the one that comes before faith, meaning the sacrifice of Christ in our place that justifies all sinners who place their faith in Christ. Water baptism is the outward sign of inner faith and does not remove sin. It is an indication that sin has been removed by the blood of Christ.

5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5

25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3: 25-26
Great post! It should be read and understood by everyone!
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
59,699
29,040
113
Hi David. I would like to remind you that you can talk (type) till you are blue on the face, but ultimately it is God's Holy Spirit that opens a person's eyes and understanding. As for me, just the fact that there are people like You and Bluesproverb on this site is encouraging. All that we can do is present the scriptures, our interpretations, pray for enlightenment for ourselves and them, and let God do the rest. I'm not saying to quit easily on them, but when you have exhausted all your attempts what is there to do but back off and wish them well.
2 John 1:9 Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does
not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into
your home or even greet him. 11 Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.
 
Jun 28, 2022
1,258
383
83
2 John 1:9 Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does
not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son.
10 If anyone comes to you but does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into
your home or even greet him. 11 Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.
Brilliant. The perfect rebuke to those false teachers as a reminder when they abrogate the scriptures and denigrate we are saved by God's grace through faith, as they insist only baptism saves. And that without baptism the Christian is not saved.

Great scripture! Many thanks. Though it would be ever more lively with your artwork added. 😊💕✝️🛐🌈
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,247
1,104
113
You are promoting a heresy by alluding to the LORD Jesus needing water baptism to save Himself and us.

Repent from this and humble yourself before God that you may recieve the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
I was indwelt with God's Holy Spirit prior to obeying the truth concerning the requirement to be water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. It is by the Holy Spirit that I was led to that truth in scripture.

And as for Jesus, He was sinless. It was He who told John to baptize Him in order to fulfill all righteousness. Afterward He attended water baptisms. His presence indicated His approval. He also later said that repentance and remission of sin would be preached in His name among all nations beginning in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47) What Jesus prophesied was commanded and begun by Peter on the Day of Pentecost. Peter made the point that everyone was to repent, and be water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus for remission of sins. This message is a direct parallel to what Jesus prophesied before His ascension. Philip then preached the message that included the need to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus to the Samaritans and they obeyed the command as that record clearly reflects. Afterward, Peter presented the same requirement to the Gentiles. (Acts 10:43:48) Those of us who are alive are descendants of one of those groups. And as such, the command applies to every single human being.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
Jesus said baptism is required. Rationalize it away, create clever theologies to dismiss it, ignore it, argue against it, but His words were quite clear and aren’t negated. Any words to the contrary are just distractions.

My suggestion to all the people who argue against Jesus’s command, rather than quickly agreeing with Him, is to do some soul-searching to find which side they’re truly representing. Clearly if one can’t agree with Mark 16:15,16 then that’s a problem for their Christian walk.

Mark 16:15,16
15And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
 
Aug 2, 2021
7,317
2,048
113
After visiting a number of churches in my area I settled on a Baptist church because it was the only one where I walked out feeling like I learned something about God. Ive never called myself a Baptist and even watching others get baptized Im not yet convinced that its for me at this point. But I could be persuaded in the future. Was Baptism with water only because Jesus had not begun his works at that time?
The Work of God was finished before the foun
I was indwelt with God's Holy Spirit prior to obeying the truth concerning the requirement to be water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. It is by the Holy Spirit that I was led to that truth in scripture.

And as for Jesus, He was sinless. It was He who told John to baptize Him in order to fulfill all righteousness. Afterward He attended water baptisms. His presence indicated His approval. He also later said that repentance and remission of sin would be preached in His name among all nations beginning in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47) What Jesus prophesied was commanded and begun by Peter on the Day of Pentecost. Peter made the point that everyone was to repent, and be water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus for remission of sins. This message is a direct parallel to what Jesus prophesied before His ascension. Philip then preached the message that included the need to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus to the Samaritans and they obeyed the command as that record clearly reflects. Afterward, Peter presented the same requirement to the Gentiles. (Acts 10:43:48) Those of us who are alive are descendants of one of those groups. And as such, the command applies to every single human being.
AGREE - See Post #958
 
Jun 28, 2022
1,258
383
83
You are promoting a heresy by alluding to the LORD Jesus needing water baptism to save Himself and us.

Repent from this and humble yourself before God that you may recieve the Baptism of the Holy Spirit
They defended the heresy so I'll ask this as I'm trying to think of what sect beyond JW's teach Jesus was just a man?
That's why those followers think Jesus was baptized. As a man he needed to cleanse his sins before starting his ministry.

Rather than what was the truth of Jesus' immersion.
He was a Jew, appearing to John, a Jew, who was baptizing fellow Jews in the tradition of the Mikveh.
That immersion as they would know and especially would God-Jesus there, did not save their souls.
Even then they were saved by faith.



Jesus immersed the flesh because he buried the man he was then in the waters so to arise and be about the Father's business in bringing the Gospel to his people.
Je sus' immersion represented that transition to purpose. Not that Jesus needed to be saved.

The salvation covenant was in him. It hadn't yet been delivered to the world.

Easy to know if we ask ourselves were the Jews he was to minister to still making living sacrifices,animals, to cover the people's sins?

Yes! Which we know due to Jesus later rebuking the money changers with their tables set before his father's house so God's people would have that which was of Caesar in order to buy sacrificial animals to take into the temple.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
Jesus got water baptized because God commanded it. Jesus, being perfect Himself, needed to do all the God required. Not doing something God requires is called sin.

To have said “oh baptism isn’t necessary so I’ll not do it” would have been a sin. If not getting water baptized is a sin that means water baptism is required.

Therefore, to say “you don’t have to be baptized” is effectually saying “it’s okay to sin.” Think very carefully what you’re telling people regarding water baptism. God is watching closely how you lead people on this matter.
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
What shall we do? Repent and be BAPTISED and you shall receive the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. Seems clear enough to me.
It’s clear to me too.

You may notice that all of the arguments here in opposition to water baptism are spawned out of human logic and reasoning. The Bible never actually says anything the anti-water baptism crowd is saying.

The Bible shows that following faith in Christ that water baptism is the next step. The book of Acts is the model for how our churches today should function.
 
Jun 28, 2022
1,258
383
83
Funny thing here - you never brought forth scripture to support you accusations.

Well, now you have me laughing - which is good to laugh and rejoice in the Lord Jesus Christ's Victory for us over sin.

When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion,
We were like those who dream.
2Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
3The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are glad.
Joins you. 😆😆

You know you're doing God's work when natural man's perspective labels us spiritually ill for not conceding blasphemy and heresy are of God.

Their words were meant to inflame and injure while God's grace long before let you to recall scripture that makes it a blessing in God's approval. [Hug]✝️🛐🌈💕☺️
 
Jun 5, 2020
941
169
43
Jesus got water baptized because God commanded it. Jesus, being perfect Himself, needed to do all the God required. Not doing something God requires is called sin.

To have said “oh baptism isn’t necessary so I’ll not do it” would have been a sin. If not getting water baptized is a sin that means water baptism is required.

Therefore, to say “you don’t have to be baptized” is effectually saying “it’s okay to sin.” Think very carefully what you’re telling people regarding water baptism. God is watching closely how you lead people on this matter.
Saying that “you don’t have to be baptized” is effectually saying “it’s okay to sin” is nonsense. You do not have to be baptized (in water); you do have to be baptized in the Holy Spirit,

I received Jesus when He healed me in the hospital. Obviously, I wasn't baptized when that happened. I chose to be baptized two weeks later as a symbolic statement that I was burying my old sinful self, but it was not necessary. I had already been "born again" (born of the Spirit".

Stop condemning people! It is the belief in Jesus Christ as Savior that is important. Rituals are not, otherwise everyone that John baptized in the Jordan didn't need Jesus!
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
Saying that “you don’t have to be baptized” is effectually saying “it’s okay to sin” is nonsense. You do not have to be baptized (in water); you do have to be baptized in the Holy Spirit,

I received Jesus when He healed me in the hospital. Obviously, I wasn't baptized when that happened. I chose to be baptized two weeks later as a symbolic statement that I was burying my old sinful self, but it was not necessary. I had already been "born again" (born of the Spirit".

Stop condemning people! It is the belief in Jesus Christ as Savior that is important. Rituals are not, otherwise everyone that John baptized in the Jordan didn't need Jesus!
Let me pose a simple question then.

The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men?
 
Aug 2, 2021
7,317
2,048
113
Agreed. God's will was done on Earth as it is in heaven.
That's why God wrote the names of his Elect into the Lamb's Book of Life before creating the world.
The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world = ALL Truth came down from Above and brought to earth from the FATHER.
ALL Truth (for man) began in Genesis which proceeded Forth from the Mouth of God.
ALL Truth resides in the WORD who was with God and was God, from the Beginning.
ALL Truth hovered over the waters in the Beginning = SPIRIT of God

ALL Truth is summed UP in this verse:

Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him—even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. So shall it be! Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and was and is to come—the Almighty.

Amen