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.

DJT_47

Well-known member
Oct 20, 2022
1,064
188
63
The only thing that's absolutely required for salvation is faith in the Lord Jesus. Baptism is important but without faith in Him it's a pointless ritual. I'm quite certain if I died before I had a chance to get baptized I'd be with the Lord.
You can be as certain as you like but that is not supported by scripture. It's a false hope based on nothing other than your gut and not scripture. It's also contrary to scripture. Your words reflect your opinion but not scripture. Your words do not negate what can be clearly read in the bible that contradict them. I also agree with you that faith too is required and I never said nor does the bible say otherwise. As the scriptures say, the following are ALL required for salvation when all pertinent scriptures are taken into consideration.

1. Belief and faith
2. Confession of belief
3. Repentance
4. Baptism

1st Peter 3:21

21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,005
8,373
113
Ananias' words speak volumes. He asked Paul why he was waiting to have his sins washed away, It is only after a person is obedient to God's command to be baptized in water in the name of Jesus that a person's sins are dwelt with in association with Jesus' sacrifice: "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." These words are a direct parallel to what Peter stated was necessary for everyone on the Day of Pentecost. (Acts 2:38)
Physical water washing away spiritual sins? I think not.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,005
8,373
113
You can be as certain as you like but that is not supported by scripture. It's a false hope based on nothing other than your gut and not scripture. It's also contrary to scripture. Your words reflect your opinion but not scripture. Your words do not negate what can be clearly read in the bible that contradict them. I also agree with you that faith too is required and I never said nor does the bible say otherwise. As the scriptures say, the following are ALL required for salvation when all pertinent scriptures are taken into consideration.

1. Belief and faith
2. Confession of belief
3. Repentance
4. Baptism

1st Peter 3:21

21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Works of obedience and supposedly righteous rituals conferring salvation? I think not.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,313
3,618
113
You can be as certain as you like but that is not supported by scripture. It's a false hope based on nothing other than your gut and not scripture. It's also contrary to scripture. Your words reflect your opinion but not scripture. Your words do not negate what can be clearly read in the bible that contradict them. I also agree with you that faith too is required and I never said nor does the bible say otherwise. As the scriptures say, the following are ALL required for salvation when all pertinent scriptures are taken into consideration.

1. Belief and faith
2. Confession of belief
3. Repentance
4. Baptism

1st Peter 3:21

21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Okay, believe what you want, no skin off my nose. But when you come to realize that the power of salvation comes by hearing with faith, you won't be so legalistic about baptism. We should have an urgency about baptism; we should teach it and practice it; but even more we should preach the gospel of Christ.

"Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." 1 Corinthians 1:20-25
 

DJT_47

Well-known member
Oct 20, 2022
1,064
188
63
Works of obedience and supposedly righteous rituals conferring salvation? I think not.
Doesn't really matter what you THINK. it's just that, YOUR thoughts based on ????
 

DJT_47

Well-known member
Oct 20, 2022
1,064
188
63
Read the verses that you posted and try to understand what they actually say. Then we can discuss the issue further.

Here is something to start you thinking: all the people that John baptized in the Jordan were not saved. Why not?

I did not say that...you are playing games with partial quoting.

We are done here and I am reporting you.[/QUOTE]
Sure they were saved. His (,John's) baptism was the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, Luke 3:3. The problem is, it wasn't long lasting and would have to be repeated upon commission
of sin after thrir baptism. Remission of sins occurred at the time of their repentance and baptism, otherwise, God's word in this regard would be untrue. Jesus asked too if the baptism of John was of man or from God, so if it was from God, it was true. Also, those baptized unto John's baptism didn't place them into the body of Christ which is the church unlike being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins as noted in Acts 2:38-47
 

DJT_47

Well-known member
Oct 20, 2022
1,064
188
63
The real interesting thing, is that Jesus is the focus of our salvation. Instead, folks are making it all about what they personally believe and adding to salvation, which, as I understand it, is somewhat like a slap in the face to God who has provided our salvation in the first place through His sinless Son.

It becomes obvious that no amount of scripture is proving anything to people who are embedded in their doctrines, whether scriptural or not; and we do have both sides represented here to be sure. One side presents a solid and scriptural view and the other insists works play a part and want, very badly it seems, to add what they have done to what Jesus has done.

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” Acts 16:30,31

“if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Rom 10:9

“Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.” Rom 4:4,5

See how easy it is to be saved? You must believe in Jesus, accept Him as your Savior, the One God has had sacrificed in your place.

Then, you make that confession of faith and believe that God raised Jesus from the dead.

There is no work or amount of works that a person receives credit for as a contribution to their salvation. All is of Christ and we may only approach God through the finished work of His Son.

Notice, that when someone works, they have earned a salary or wages as the Bible refers to it. However, God is the One who justifies all sinners who come to Him through His Son and this faith, this faith in Christ taking our place, is credited to us and asserted by God Himself as our righteousness.

True baptism is a public act illustrating that we have accepted Christ and we now are alive in Him. Only the blood of Christ cleanses us from sin. Water is symbolic and not the actual method of cleansing from sin. It works pretty good on dirt but is useless with a spiritual problem. Sin, is a spiritual problem which is why God Himself provided a way out of that problem.
If baptism is for public display of some kind, who was the public present at the conversion of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8? Just the eunuch and Philip were there. That's nonsense abd no where do the scriptures say or suggest that's the reason for baptism.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,313
3,618
113
Doesn't really matter what you THINK. it's just that, YOUR thoughts based on ????
I can tell you probably haven't had an original thought for quite some time. Everything you post comes straight from the head of some theologian's playbook. You claim to follow scripture alone but it's obvious someone else is calling the shots for you.
 

DJT_47

Well-known member
Oct 20, 2022
1,064
188
63
The "order" is salvation/rebirth first.......following doctrinal rituals second.
The order is
1. Belief and faith
2. Confession of belief
3. Repentance
4. Baptism for the remission of sins

Afterwhich, you receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and the Lord adds you to his body which is the church. Acts 2:38-47
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,254
1,109
113
Physical water washing away spiritual sins? I think not.
It's not about the water. It's about belief and obedience to what God has established. Those who submit to what God says are in fact placing their full trust in Him even when it doesn't make sense.

Consider Noah. He believed God and built an ark, when the fact was water never, ever fell from the sky. Surely people thought he was nuts. But he ignored their jeers because, Guess what? God said to do it and he trusted God rather than people.

Again, consider the words recorded in the very word of God: Why tarriest thou? (Why wait) Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord. That means be baptized in water IN THE NAME OF JESUS. And as Paul explained in Romans 6, you will have been buried with Jesus into His death...Know this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed.
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,254
1,109
113
The only thing that's absolutely required for salvation is faith in the Lord Jesus. Baptism is important but without faith in Him it's a pointless ritual. I'm quite certain if I died before I had a chance to get baptized I'd be with the Lord.
Do you realize that refusing to accept what Jesus says about water baptism is in fact the total opposite of having faith in Jesus?
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,005
8,373
113
Okay, believe what you want, no skin off my nose. But when you come to realize that the power of salvation comes by hearing with faith, you won't be so legalistic about baptism. We should have an urgency about baptism; we should teach it and practice it; but even more we should preach the gospel of Christ.

"Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." 1 Corinthians 1:20-25
Well spoken.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,005
8,373
113
Do you realize that refusing to accept what Jesus says about water baptism is in fact the total opposite of having faith in Jesus?
Nobody around here is refusing to accept baptism. On the contrary we fully endorse this act of public affirmation (essentially a sign of the underlying reality) of the saving faith we already possess.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,313
3,618
113
Nobody around here is refusing to accept baptism. On the contrary we fully endorse this act of public affirmation (essentially a sign of the underlying reality) of the saving faith we already possess.
It's much more than a sign or public affirmation, that's where you're wrong. It's an affirmation to the Lord.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
23,005
8,373
113
It's much more than a sign or public affirmation, that's where you're wrong. It's an affirmation to the Lord.
Of course. I agree. A public affirmation of your commitment to the Lord who purchased you by His blood.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,313
3,618
113
Of course. I agree. A public affirmation of your commitment to the Lord who purchased you by His blood.
You don't get it. We don't do it as a public affirmation. We do it in submission to the Lord; we die with Him and are raised with Him. It could be done with no "public" at all present, just you and the one baptizing you. You insist on making it nothing more than a "public affirmation"; by doing so you drain it of its spiritual power and majesty.
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,254
1,109
113
Nobody around here is refusing to accept baptism. On the contrary we fully endorse this act of public affirmation (essentially a sign of the underlying reality) of the saving faith we already possess.
Actually Jesus said he who believes and is baptized shall be saved. (Mark 16:15-16) And Peter and Ananias spoke of sins being remitted in obedience to water baptism. (Acts 2:38, 22:16) This speaks to baptism being more than just a public affirmation. Yet many refuse to believe Jesus, and those whom He used to carry the life saving message. Also many refuse to accept that water baptism is to be administered in the name of the very person who was crucified to save humanity; Jesus. Relevant? According to Jesus it is. Because everyone is going to be judged by what the word actually says, not according to personal opinions. (John 12:48)
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
5,819
1,073
113
Oregon
cfbac.org
.
Paul said that the Jews required Christians to get circumcised so they could
"boast about your flesh" (Gal 6:12-15) I suspect that some Christians insist upon
ritual water baptism for the same reason. (And boast about their own too)
_