[Biblemat] Is baptism really necessary? (question/answer)

[Don Martin]

Hello Raymond,

Thank you so much for your question and for making use of Bible Questions.
Please do so again. http://www.biblequestions.org  Please check out Bible
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You asked:

I understand the requirements for salvation.
But What is your belief on babtism is it a condition that must be met as a
condition of jesus excepting you in to his kingdom. or rejecting ones self
regardless of your faith in the Son Jesus christ by faith and repentence and
communication daily with him.

Reply:

First, we need to appreciate and acknowledge what the Bible teaches
regarding water baptism.  In short, baptism is presented as being for the
remission of sins, to place one in Christ where salvation is enjoyed, and to
be for the purpose of salvation (Acts 2: 38; Gal. 3: 26, 27; I Pet. 3: 21).
Belief, repentance, and confession of Jesus' deity are also seen as being
pre-requisites to salvation (John 8: 24; Acts 17: 30, 31; Rom. 10: 9, 10).
Some who do not believe what the Bible teaches about baptism, often ask,
"What if a car runs over a person and kills them before they are baptized?"
Others present a person in a difficult situation that would appear to keep
them from being baptized.  I usually respond with a question, "What if a
car runs over a person and kills them before they repent..., confess?"  I
have personally baptized people in all manner of physical circumstances.
In view of what can happen if baptism is deferred, one should follow the
apostolic example and be "baptized immediately" (Acts 16: 30-34).   Just
because there could be a difficult physical situation, does not provide us
the right to pervert what the scriptures teach about baptism or make
exceptions where God has made none.

I shall insert below an excerpt from, "Baptism, How, Who,
Why, and When?"  To read the material in full, click on
www.bibletruths.net and enter through the door.  When on the Site Map page,
click on "Archives and Index," then click on the letter "B" on the Archives
page.

     "...Why should one be baptized? Water baptism has multiple
accomplishments. One should be baptized in order to obtain the remission of
sin (Acts 2: 38, 22: 16). All spiritual blessings and redemption are in
Christ (Eph. 1: 3, 7). However, baptism is the act that gains entrance into
Christ or places one in Jesus (Gal. 3: 26, 27, I Cor. 12: 13). One should be
baptized to be saved (Mk. 16: 16, I Pet. 3: 21), to put on Christ (Gal. 3:
26, 27), and to be born again (Jn. 3: 5). Baptism is a command of God and is
essential to obedience (Acts 10: 47, 48, obedience is necessary to being
saved, Heb. 5: 8, 9).

Thanks again for your good question and for your interest in spiritual
matters. I recommend that you print out this email for future reference (web
addresses, etc.). You may print out any material you desire in both Bible
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home page in Bible Truths).

Cordially,
Don Martin