Christians: Does baptism save?...or is it just very important?

No. Baptism is a symbolic washing. It's an act of obedience that Christ commands of His followers. Salvation is the GIFT of God. Salvation is not of Works. If salvation was of works then it would not be a GIFT but a PAYMENT/WAGE for work. There would be no need for GRACE if that were the case.

Wages are for the wicked. The wages of sin is death.

Baptism is a work. Christ's work at Calvary was sufficient for salvation. All Christians should get baptized because Jesus commanded it.

Getting baptized is like wearing an engagement ring until the groom comes to consummate the relationship. Consummation of the relationship between Christ and His Church will be "total redemption".

I also want to mention that there is also the earnest of His Spirit. All believers in Jesus Christ have been filled with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of Christ is like God's down payment on a prized possession. YOU!

He (the Holy Spirit) is the one that seals the believer (like a preservative) until the day of final redemption. God will come back and claim all for whom for He has placed His earnest (like a down payment for a house).

Mike my friend, you are asking the wrong question.

If you are unsaved, you should ask "What should I do to be Saved"? And if you are Saved, you have already been baptized.

Now this part is for Christians only, so all goat head worshiping pseudo intellectual atheistic Darwinites please ignore the following words.

Christians, did you ever hear two unbelievers fussing over baptism and it's necessity or purpose or benefit?

I don't think so Tim.

So why, if you are truly Born Again, wouldn't you simply want to just tell others HOW to get Saved, and in doing so, you would touch on baptism and no doubt mention Matthew 28:19 and fifty other similar verses, let them decide just how serious they are about becoming God's child?

Oh, Mike, I'm sorry, I forgot you were there.

You may go now.

Dear Mike M,

Baptism does not save the believer. It is an external act which is representative of what happened internally when you accepted Christ. You died to your sins and were raised to live a Christ-like life with the help of the Holy Spirit.

It is very important- because Jesus himself went to John the Baptist to be baptized (even though he didn't need to). If Jesus did it- we should do it! It's an act of obedience and is a commitment to follow Christ- most people get baptized very shortly after receiving Christ. It's a meaningful act for the believer and a blessing to those who attend and hear the testimony and the believer's declaration to follow Christ.

i would suggest talking to your Pastor about it as well- many churches have Baptism classes where you can learn about Baptism (what the Bible has to say) and can be prepared for the Baptism as well.

Hope that helps. Kindly,

Nickster

If 1 Peter 3:21 talks about how "even baptism doth also now save us" then wouldn't it be more than "just very important"?

Salvation and baptism go together.

Christ saves, while a baptism (in a church with water) is like a public acknowledgment of the path chosen.

baptism was meant to rid us of original sin until Christ died for our sins so that actually makes baptism more of a symbolic gesture. Baptism saves??? Another book religion's ideology!

Water baptism saves NO ONE in this dispensation. Eph. 4:5 tells us that in Gods economy today there is "one Lord, one faith and ONE baptism"....its NOT with water.

We are identified with Christ in the baptism of the SPIRIT where HE places us INTO the Body of Christ as an individual member of a NEW CREATION. OUR baptism has NOTHING to do with water...it did for the nation Israel as they were a NATION of PRIESTS and the water was a cleansing ritual for them and REQUIRED to be a priest.

Water baptism has NO place in a Christians life if he truly understands the meaning of the word baptism. It has to do with identification...not always with water.

No baptism does not save anyone...Only Jesus Christ can save man.

Baptism is a public announcement of your commitment to Jesus Christ and it is symbolic representation of death of the person you used to be before Christ (when you are immersed under the water) then birth to new life and a new clean person in Jesus Christ when you are raised out of the water.

The first principle and ordinances of the Gospel are

1) Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

2) Repentance

3)BAPTISM for the remission of sins

4) Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands

We are told that we are to be doers of the gospel not just talkers. One must have Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to be justified for salvation. One must do 2-4 and endure to the end using these and all other principles and ordinances of the Gospel so that the faith you have is living faith, after all, faith without works is dead...and nothing dead can justify anyone for anything.

So, yes, Baptism is needed for salvation...because it is needed for faith. Those that are not given the chance to be baptized or even to have faith in Christ for reasons beyond their control...will be able to learn the principles, and accept ordinances done for them on their behalf by those of us that do work for those who have gone before us.

No Mike, only Jesus saves, baptism is a confirmation of your faith, therefore, its only very important.

Paz de Cristo