- Oct 19, 2010
- 242
- 10
- 0
Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.
You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
Is a person saved that has not been baptised?
Is a person saved that has not been baptised?
Jesus told the thief on the cross that "This day you will be with me in paradise!" - Luke 23:43
What was the condition of his salvation?
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. - Romans 10:9
Now after we have been saved we have the responsibility to grow as Christians, so communion, baptism, and Christian service should be expected as we mature.
It's not a simple yes or no answer. Jesus said he who believes and is baptized "Shall" be saved. He was speaking in the future tense. Contrary to popular belief, salvation is not a one time event, it is a continuing process. The Scriptures speak of salvation in three tenses, you have been saved, you are being saved, and you shall be saved. when we speak of being saved, past tense, we are actually referring to the time when we decided to follow Christ. Technically, at this point our salvation is not complete. We have entered into a relationship with God through Christ. That relationship requires that we be obedient to Christ's commands, of which baptism is one. God can save anyone he chooses to save, however, He promised to save the one who believes and is baptized, He didn't promise to save the one who believes but isn't baptized. If person chooses to follow Christ but is killed before they can be baptized, it is God's decision whether or not to save them. However, the one who can be baptized and refuses is simply not obeying Christ's command. Hope this helps.
I respectfully disagree.
Ephesians 1:13,14 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession— to the praise of his glory.
I don't know what Version you posted, but the word Guarantee is not in the original language.
And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.- Luke 12:47, 48, 49
I don't know what Version you posted, but the word Guarantee is not in the original language.
I'm not following you.
The thief on the cross was not baptized and entered into heaven. Paul told the jailor that if they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ they shall be saved and their house (Acts 16:30, 31, 32). If the thief would have survived he would have been responsible for being baptized, taking communion, producing fruit, etc. Same with the jailor, he would be accountable for Christian growth as a lifelong project.
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. - Luke 9:23
So the thief on the cross was less accountable then we.
Very good point. Someone can be saved and not know he should be baptized, yet. You hit the 'nail' on the head.And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.- Luke 12:47, 48, 49
I'm sorry, The NIV use both those words. It's true though that the original texts didn't have those words of course but the meaning.
NASB
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.
I think it is legalistic to demand that people need to be baptized to go to Heaven - as if the act has some kind of power in and of itself. The fact is we are supposed to be baptized - are there legitimate reasons why it doesn't happen? YES! The Law was make for us.....we were not made for the Law. It is wrong to think of Baptism as a qualifier and God as so petty as to disqualify people based on baptism. Now, knowing that baptism is justification, we also know it is important - if you turn down the chance to be baptized or simply decide it is not important; you are disobeying God, which is a grave sin.
Baptism is the outward showing of an inward change. Do we need to be baptised to show that we have a new heart in Christ? No...but it is a wonderful thing for both our new life and the understanding of others that we step up and declare ourselves saved.
Not so. MANY have been saved before being baptized. I mean really, why would someone be baptized before being saved???Paul ties baptism directly to one's participation in the resurrection. Again, God can save anyone, anyway He chooses to. The only promised way is to believe and be baptized according to Jesus.