What if you die before water baptism?

  • 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.

jamessb

Active member
Feb 10, 2024
738
122
43
Santa Fe NM
First off there is only one way to understand the text in context.

1. Paul is saying "do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" This most likely is rhetorical to some degree.

Also, Paul said, "were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death."


Through water baptism. Literally or figuratively? It can be both, and don't forget Symbolically.

Just like the wine and Bread for the last supper.
I wanted a good laugh today and this is it: "First off there is only one way to understand the text in context." Thanks! :LOL:
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,344
113
I wanted a good laugh today and this is it: "First off there is only one way to understand the text in context." Thanks! :LOL:
Ok now were you water-baptized?
 

jamessb

Active member
Feb 10, 2024
738
122
43
Santa Fe NM
Romans 6:3-4 (from your post, with my emphases): "Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

There are two ways to understand this: literally or figuratively. I don't know too many people who were buried into death. So it is obviously figurative. I don't know anyone who has been raised from the dead! Therefore, it must be symbolic.

Beyond that, I don't know of anyone living in the current age who has been crucified! That also must be symbolic.

Therefore, baptism is a statement on the part of a believer that s/he has symbolically put to death the old person (sinner) that s/he was and was reborn as the new person (saint) in Christ.

BTW, nobody can be a participant in Jesus' "crucifix", since a crucifix , (from the Latin cruci fixus meaning '(one) fixed to a cross'), is a cross with an image of Jesus on it, as distinct from a bare cross. The representation of Jesus himself on the cross is referred to in English as the corpus (Latin for 'body'). The correct word is "crucifixion".

Your comment about hammering some nails into your hands and feet is totally absurd. In case you're not aware, the Romans hammered nails into Jesus' hands and feet. So it is impossible for anyone to identify with the ones who crucify and the victim of the crucifixion.

Finally, do you really hammer some nails into your hands and feet in water baptism? Now pay attention...

Water baptism is a symbolic statement of spiritual death and rebirth only. It is not a requirement for any believer.

You need to read Roman 6 AGAIN and 7.


Symbolic doesn't equal not being required to be water baptized. Let me ask you this? Are you water baptized, yes or no?
"Are you water baptized, yes or no?" is present tense. No, I am sitting at my computer. Now, have I been baptized in water? Yes. a) It was a symbolic act representing the death of the old, sinful man and the birth of the new Christian man.

Have you been baptized in water?
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,344
113
I wanted a good laugh today and this is it: "First off there is only one way to understand the text in context." Thanks! :LOL:
I was happy to make you laugh. Were you water-baptized?
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,344
113
"Are you water baptized, yes or no?" is present tense. No, I am sitting at my computer. Now, have I been baptized in water? Yes. a) It was a symbolic act representing the death of the old, sinful man and the birth of the new Christian man.

Have you been baptized in water?
I will be happy to answer that I can't take you seriously if you do not answer a question. Yes, I was. Now, were you water-baptized?
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,344
113
I wanted a good laugh today and this is it: "First off there is only one way to understand the text in context." Thanks! :LOL:

Were you water-baptized?
 

CS1

Well-known member
May 23, 2012
13,058
4,344
113
"Are you water baptized, yes or no?" is present tense. No, I am sitting at my computer. Now, have I been baptized in water? Yes. a) It was a symbolic act representing the death of the old, sinful man and the birth of the new Christian man.

Have you been baptized in water?
Why were you water-baptized? If you think I was asking in the present tense, it is just foolishness and semantics you are playing.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
60,137
29,452
113
"Are you water baptized, yes or no?" is present tense. No, I am sitting at my computer.
I am sitting at my computer too and I have been water baptized. Asking if you have been water baptized is not asking if you are being baptized right now...
 

Everlasting-Grace

Well-known member
Dec 18, 2021
5,938
1,872
113
I look at both water baptism and Communion.

Both represent the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord. That is the gospel message.

I'm not RCC, so I do not hold to the false teaching of transubstantiation. yet as Jesus said, DO this in remembrance of me and when you do do this you show the Lord death and resurrection until he comes.


Water baptism is symbolic of the grave, of the old man dying and being buried, and of the New man coming up out of the water alive to Christ. It can be ceremonial, symbolic, or literal. Was the water imagery?
Yes, they are symbolic

but in Romans 6 Paul is telling us what happened.. That is not symbolic, it is literal.

It bs because of the fact that God baptized us into Christ and his death, that we are able to walk in newness of life.. That had nothing to do with water baptism.

That is why I doubt it could be both.
 

jamessb

Active member
Feb 10, 2024
738
122
43
Santa Fe NM
Why were you water-baptized? If you think I was asking in the present tense, it is just foolishness and semantics you are playing.
I am not "playing semantics". I am correcting your English usage.

You didn't answer my question: have you been water baptized?
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
4,759
2,054
113
46
If you could share this view I would appreciate it, but if not no worries I am a good little researcher, years of training!! lol
Let's bring this topic here so we don't clutter the other thread. :)

In post #19 i said:

I mentioned it quickly before but i believe in the Now because the Kingdom of God is here and NOW. So everything begins NOW and Revelations says that we have a glorious future, but we are not in the future, we are in the Now and we should not become content with a reward in the future, but with the reward and the blessing we have now to know Jesus Christ who gives us strength and hope to overcome all sufferings.
This is the theology of Theosis in regards to Salvation (full details here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosis_(Eastern_Christian_theology) and in plain English it means that : God is the ultimate judge on who goes to heaven or hell, our best response to our separation from God since the garden, is to be more like Christ in an infinite and daily process which keeps up grounded in the now.
This sanctification gives us strength to stay unaffected in a fallen world and allows us to be in the middle of the worst sins without participating in them or judging the sinners. We live by example, imitating Christ from the heart, not as robots, but because of the Joy that we get from His life and Promise and the Holy Spirit that guides us.
This is my understanding of Salvation.
So when someone asks me "Where do babies go when they die"? I say "I don't know".
I say that because i don't know where adults go either, including myself.
Does this mean i'm a Universalist? Absolutely not! It's simply "I don't know."
I hope Hitler doesn't end up in Heaven but i'm not God, so i don't know. I don't say "Everyone ends up in Heaven" and i don't say "If you do these 20 things according to my interpretation you GO to Heaven and everyone else goes to Hell"

I hope this answers your inquiry and you can file it under "Interesting things". :D
 
Jan 2, 2024
132
16
18
This is a thread for people who believe water baptism is required for salvation, if you aren't that type of person, then obviously you don't need to answer this question, as I know you will just say the man is saved, as water isnt required.

Hypothetical situations that are often brought up by people to argue against baptismal regeneration are:

1. What about someone who is ill, about to die, cries out to God, asks Jesus to save them, will they die lost because they didn't have enough time to get baptized?

2. What about someone who is on a stranded island and has no one to baptize him, dies there, will he die lost?

In my opinion both of these arguments deserve a proper response, which is why I am making this thread. Give me your case, you who believe baptism in water is required for salvation.

PS I hope this thread isnt gonna turn into 50 responses and 0 answers and everyone just saying "Its not required for salvation because of such and such." I get it, I know the arguments both ways, but im just asking our baptismal regeneration people here to answer these. Thank you for understanding.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob whom they call Father commanded John The Baptist to Baptize so that people will not face damnation in hell.

ISAIAH 40:3-4
3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
“Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make straight [a]in the desert
A highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted
And every mountain and hill brought low;


MATTHEW 3:1-3
3
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

MATTHEW 3:10-11
10
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with WATER UNTO REPENTANCE. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the HOLY GHOST, and WITH FIRE:




mmm
 
Jan 2, 2024
132
16
18
This is a thread for people who believe water baptism is required for salvation, if you aren't that type of person, then obviously you don't need to answer this question, as I know you will just say the man is saved, as water isnt required.

Hypothetical situations that are often brought up by people to argue against baptismal regeneration are:

1. What about someone who is ill, about to die, cries out to God, asks Jesus to save them, will they die lost because they didn't have enough time to get baptized?

2. What about someone who is on a stranded island and has no one to baptize him, dies there, will he die lost?

In my opinion both of these arguments deserve a proper response, which is why I am making this thread. Give me your case, you who believe baptism in water is required for salvation.

PS I hope this thread isnt gonna turn into 50 responses and 0 answers and everyone just saying "Its not required for salvation because of such and such." I get it, I know the arguments both ways, but im just asking our baptismal regeneration people here to answer these. Thank you for understanding.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

According to the Lord, the water baptism is required
MATTHEW 3:10-11
10
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11 I indeed baptize you with WATER UNTO REPENTANCE. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the HOLY GHOST, and WITH FIRE:

This is why every denominations in Christianity requires Water Baptism.
Since it is written that John The Baptist is baptizing in the river of Jordan. So it is very clear that John the Baptist is using LITERAL WATER.
In water baptism, the Holy Ghost will sit upon the person being baptize.

MATTHEW 3:16-17
16
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

The Holy Ghost is the Teacher alone:
1 JOHN 2:27
27
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

But every denomination in Christianity have their own Doctrines and way for salvation. It means using Literal Water in baptism is not what John The Baptist used.
Because with regard to water, Jesus is speaking in parable.

Here are couple of Examples.
Look at the equivalent meaning of the Temple into man understanding about Temple.
JOHN 2:19-21
19
Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
21 But he spake of the temple of his body.

Take a look at what Jesus said about Leaven Bread. The understanding of man is very far.
MATTHEW 16:6-12
6
Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
12
Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

This is why Jesus why it is written, they call Jesus Rabbi or Teacher. Because he must expound first the meaning before we intend to follow the law.
This is what Jesus did to his disciples.
MARK 4:34
34
But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

Yes, only Jesus could reveal the meaning of the water used by John the Baptist in Baptism.
And yes, Water Baptism is required for Salvation.
It is the Water expounded by Jesus to his disciples and not the Water after the understanding of Men.
 
May 1, 2022
565
156
43
Addressing the scenarios presented requires an understanding and appreciation of the perspective that views water baptism as essential for salvation, while also recognizing God's sovereignty and mercy. From the standpoint of Christian traditions that uphold baptismal regeneration, water baptism is indeed considered a critical sacrament, often based on passages such as Acts 2:38, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins," and Mark 16:16, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

The Case of Immediate Death After Conversion: In the instance of someone who turns to Christ in their final moments, without the opportunity for baptism, it is vital to remember the overarching theme of God's grace throughout Scripture. God, in His omniscience and mercy, understands the true intentions and limitations of every human heart. The story of the thief on the cross next to Jesus (Luke 23:39-43) is often cited in discussions like these; despite his inability to be baptized, Jesus promised him paradise based on his expressed faith. This suggests that while baptism is a command and normative for Christians, God's grace can operate beyond our human limitations and constraints.

The Scenario of Isolation: Similarly, for someone who comes to faith in isolation, without any means to be baptized, the principle of God's grace and sovereignty applies. Christian tradition affirms that while we are bound to the sacraments as a means of grace, God Himself is not bound by these sacraments. The heart of God, as revealed through Jesus Christ, prioritizes the sincere repentance and faith of an individual over ritual compliance when circumstances render obedience impossible.

In both cases, the emphasis should be on the mercy and understanding of God, who sees the heart and knows the genuine faith of each person. While baptism is indeed significant and commanded, these scenarios illustrate that exceptions exist where the intent to obey, coupled with faith in Christ, is acknowledged by God even when the sacrament itself cannot be administered.
 

Bob-Carabbio

Well-known member
Jun 24, 2020
1,603
804
113
So ho much Holy Spirit do you receive upon confession?
When you, under holy Spirit conviction, repent of your SINS, and place the FAITH God gives you in Jesus' SIN OFFERING, then you are immediately indwelled by the Holy Spirit, which is what changes everything, and makes you a Christian.

The Holy Spirit isn't a "Fluid" so you can't be a
"Quart low". That's just Religious foolishness.

Acts 2:4 is the record of the Holy Spirit COMING UPON Christians who already were indwelled by him, thereby ENDUING (clothing) them with power for ministry.