Can you be saved and not baptized? Don't confuse physical baptism, with God's grace-saving salvation.
Did Jesus say you have to be baptized, in order to be saved?
As Scripture has revealed to us, both John 3:3 and John 3:5 do not say we have to be baptized to be saved. Neither is this command found anywhere else in Scripture.
Baptism is an important act of obedience and public declaration of faith, but it is not a requirement for salvation. Scripture confirms that salvation is received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, and His sacrifice.
Baptism never initiates a person into the Christian faith, nor cleanses them from original sin.
John 3:16 alone, does not say "whosoever believes in baptism, shall be saved." It says whosoever believes in and trusts the person of Jesus to save them, shall be saved. It is HIS "work" on the cross that saves our soul. According to scripture, Baptism does not, cannot, and does not have the power, to save souls. Only the blood of Jesus has the power to raise the dead and obliterate sin.
The thief on the cross disproves the belief that you have to be baptized in order to be saved. But again... if you are able to be baptized, you should be, according to the Word.
Luke 23:42-43 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” 43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
There is no power in baptism, but in the One in whom you place your faith or to whom you pray. Baptism is not to replace nor undermine "grace". Salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning death on the cross. This faith is a personal and inward commitment to Jesus as Lord and Savior. Salvation does not depend on our performance. Baptism is an outward symbol or public declaration of inward faith. It's a way of identifying with Christ and his death and resurrection. Not a prerequisite for salvation. Salvation is ultimately a gift of God's grace, and that God's mercy extends to those who may not have had the opportunity to be baptized.
Paul strictly emphasized salvation by grace, faith, and Christ alone. Paul taught that physical baptism does not, in itself, save a person's soul. Paul confirms this in Romans:
Romans 3:28: “For we hold that one is justified by faith APART from works of the law.”
Baptism is not the new birth, in any way, shape, or form. Don't confuse physical baptism, with God's grace-saving salvation. Physical baptism, is an outward expression symbolizing dying to one's old life and sinful ways (as one goes under the water) and rising from the old dead self, to a new life in Christ (as one comes up from the water.) That "work" saves no one. It is not "baptism of the Soul". It serves no purpose in saving the soul, nor does it have anything to do with our spirit or soul. It is merely a public confession of faith, showing that one is not ashamed of Christ and has given their heart and life to Christ.
If one could get saved by physically going to get baptized, that would be considered a works-based salvation, which Paul spoke against in Romans 3:28. Don't forget about those who may have been born, but shortly after, passed away because of complications or defections. Babies are not held accountable for their sins. They go straight to heaven with Jesus.
There are even some that received Jesus right before they die, as they realized they were not sure where they might spend eternity, as the Holy Spirit spoke to their hearts, and they asked Jesus to save their soul. Those shall definitely go to heaven. They had no time to be baptized.
Have you prepared your soul for eternity? If not, Jesus says to do that now, while you can. Anyone who comes to Jesus, will be embraced by Him.
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@RisingMorningStar7 I would ask you to read my whole post before stating that with certainty. You'll see the reasons why the Bible says baptism cannot save you. If it was necessary surely God would have included it in John 3:16. Yes, there's only one baptism and that is the baptism of the Holy Spirit when one accepts Jesus as their Savior. The other water baptism is strictly used as an outward profession of faith. Strictly that. How many people do you think would go to hell, if one had to be baptized in order to be saved? Millions. It is not a prerequisite for salvation. Water does not save. The person of Jesus, does. Not everyone who is saved gets the opportunity to be baptized. Not even the thief on the cross yet Jesus said today you will be with me in Paradise. He didn't turn him away. Counting on baptism to save one's soul, would be categorized as works-based salvation. That would be a direct opposition and contradiction of what Paul said, as mentioned in my post. The following verse could not be more clear when it comes to work-based salvation:
The statement "It is by grace through faith that we are saved, not of works, lest any man should boast" is a direct quote from Ephesians 2:8-9. This verse emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith, and not earned by human actions or good works. The purpose of this declaration is to ensure that no one can take credit for their salvation and to highlight the sovereignty of God in the process.
Grace refers to God's unmerited (UNearned) favor, love, and mercy extended to humanity.
Faith is the act of believing in and accepting Jesus Christ as Savior, and trusting in His atoning sacrifice.
Salvation is not a result of human effort, good deeds, or adherence to religious law.
If salvation were based on works, individuals could boast about their accomplishments and earn their place in heaven, which contradicts the nature of God's gift.
@LadyGrace I'm sorry I don't agree with your heretical views. There is only one baptism and you have to be born from water and sprit to enter heaven, if your unbaptize your going to hell.
@RisingMorningStar7 Salvation is not earned through works or human effort, but is received as a free gift through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible says, salvation by grace through faith, emphasizes that God's love and forgiveness are not dependent on our actions, but are freely offered to those who believe.
Let's not add to scripture. We have to go by what scripture says, not what we wish it said. Your contradicting what Paul said. Salvation is rooted in God's grace, which is his unmerited favor and love towards humanity. It is a gift that cannot be earned or bought.
@LadyGrace James says your not saved by faith alone, which means Paul was teaching that we are saved without faith but James correct him. As far of the gift one need to decided if they want to partake on the gift, hence there's already a will and effort of someone trying to reach the heavens.
@RisingMorningStar7 Good works come AFTER salvation. Not before. Paul never said we're saved without faith. James wasn't correcting Paul. One cannot earn their way to Heaven by Good Works. That is Eastern philosophy and not biblical.
Salvation is a gift from God, received through faith, and not earned through human effort or actions. It highlights the concept of grace, where God freely offers salvation to those who believe, rather than requiring them to meet certain standards of works or behavior. If your church is teaching that salvation can be earned by doing good works, they are doing you a great disservice and falsely teaching. That is not what the Bible says.
@RisingMorningStar7 Paul strictly emphasized salvation by grace, faith, and Christ alone. Paul taught that physical baptism does not, in itself, save a person's soul. Paul confirms this in Romans:
Romans 3:28: “For we hold that one is justified by faith APART from works of the law.”
@RisingMorningStar7 While Paul's writings emphasize salvation through faith, he doesn't explicitly state "faith alone" in his letters. However, his teachings highlight that justification, or being declared righteous by God, is received through faith in Jesus Christ, apart from the works of the law.
Paul's writings consistently point to faith in Jesus Christ as the way to be reconciled to God and receive salvation.
Justification by Faith
Paul argues that a person is not justified (declared righteous) by adhering to the law, but by placing their trust in Jesus Christ.
@RisingMorningStar7 I've already mentioned that quite a few times. There are a lot of people you know that do good works but that does not mean they're saved. Jesus himself said you cannot get to Heaven by Good Deeds because no one is good. He said our goodness is as filthy rags in the sight of God. Meaning, that being human, we cannot possibly meet the perfect and holy standards of God.
Good works are a RESULT of salvation, not a cause. They are evidence of a transformed life in response to God's grace, rather than a means to earn salvation itself. Salvation is received through faith in Jesus Christ, and that good works naturally follow as a result of that faith and the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Salvation is by grace, through faith and Paul teaches that. Grace is unearned favor from God. It cannot be earned.
Ephesians 2:8-10 states that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith, not earned by good works. God did not give man the authority to dismiss this verse to our liking. That verse could not be more clear. Salvation is not based on our performance.
@RisingMorningStar7 When James and the Jerusalem elders met with Paul, as recorded in Acts 21, they expressed concern about reports that Paul was teaching Jews among the Gentiles "to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs". The Mosaic Law was the central topic of discussion and the point of contention or misunderstanding.
There were differing understandings among early believers about the relationship between adherence to the Mosaic Law and the inclusion of Gentiles in the Christian community. While Paul's message emphasized salvation by faith in Christ, some Jewish believers remained zealous for the Law and were concerned that Paul's teachings might be interpreted as encouraging Jewish believers to abandon their Jewish traditions and customs, including circumcision.
more mental gymnastics , how can you be save if you haven't done any works? that doesn't make sense at all.
I used to feel the same way which led to much frustration. I kept thinking there must be something I have to do in order to have salvation but I was 100% wrong. It is the total and sole "work" of Jesus on the cross, that enabled my sins to be forgiven. It was a blood of Jesus that washed away my sins, and is the theme of God's word. Nothing I could do, could save my soul, but Jesus did. Certainly not any good works I might have tried to do in order to earn God's favor and salvation because God already loves us just as we are and says come to me and I will save your soul. He didn't say work your way or be good enough and I will allow you to go to heaven. No. He said anyone who comes to me and repent of their sins shall be forgiven and have eternal life. John 3:16 and 17. John 3:17 says that any who are saved by Jesus Christ are not condemned or under condemnation. Jesus did it all for us. He did what we could not do. Otherwise he would not have had to die in the cross to save us from the condemnation that sin placed on us. Jesus alone was only worthy to pay for my sins. A person who has sins of their own cannot forgive their own sins and be saved. We don't have the power of the blood of Jesus to break the bondage that sin placed on us. Only the person of Jesus knows how to do that. He is the only one that is good and Worthy enough to save our soul.
@LadyGrace you like to cherry pick I see and try to fit things for your own narrative, again catholics have always said you are saved by faith and works, you come out as your saved by faith alone and then say that faith renders works, when if you read were sola scripture began it was never like that, protestants saying you are saved by faith and works is like 12 years old, before they said along as you believ ein God you are saved no your not, if you do works and find christ at then end well that is better than doing no works and not finding god, or just belieing god and not doing works.
@LadyGrace please save your won same pity for someone who doesn't know. Here we go with the mental gymnastics. I don't feel like chasing and going in circle, lets cut to the chase you are saved by faith and works, not by faith alone.
@RisingMorningStar7 What you call cherry picking is when one denies Christ's own words on how to have salvation. You want to change scripture to fit your agenda of good works. What you call cherry picking is my going strictly by, and following what God said in his Word. If you're going to criticize what I say directly from the Bible, then you will be criticizing God and what he said, because I strictly go by what He said and not my own interpretation. Don't put words in my mouth. I never said you are saved by faith and works. You did.
@RisingMorningStar7 Now you're acting and speaking like a troll. Pity has nothing to do with it. Now you have begun the personal attacks and that's when I say it's up to you what you want to believe but I go strictly by God's word and when you start acting like a troll, then this conversation is closed to you. I was not critical of your beliefs. I simply stated I believe what the Bible says in what we discussed. I did not attack your beliefs, but rather stated what the Bible says on this subject which your replies are in direct contradiction to God's word. You cannot see that perhaps but it is. We shall not go any further with this discussion since you are getting out of hand and putting words in my mouth that I have not said. God's Word confirms what I have told you. I go by none other. At this point, we shall respectfully have to agree to disagree and leave it at that since you insist on personal attacks. I thought you were better than that but I see you refuse to hear God's words which I only quoted to you. Not my own.
