Do You Have To Be Baptized To Go To Heaven?

This question is one answered by each religion and even each sect of Christianity differently. In this post we will go over the different aspects of baptism and who needs to baptized. We will also discuss the origin of water baptism and why it continues to this day.

Do You Have To Be Baptized To Go To Heaven?

The short answer is No, and the long answer is that it is still very important. The importance of baptism was proven by Christ Jesus our Savior, He who was without sin, yet a pure example of what God demands of us, was baptized.

I will explain here why some people believe it is imperative to be baptized and why others believe it to be completely unnecessary as you continue to read.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16) This New Testament verse expresses the words that some in the Christian faith use to prove their belief that it is a must to be baptized. However, notice the end of the verse it does not include baptism in the forgiveness of sins, only not believing is condemnation.

We will discuss the different points of view from the Christian denominations as well as those of non-Christians. We will also explore the different baptismal waters and when a person should be baptized. What does water baptism mean? What Does It Mean To Be A Christian? (Which you can read more about by clicking the link.)

How Did The Idea Of Baptism Get Started?

1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (verses from Matthew 3)

This is the first time in the Bible we see people being baptized. This new concept was the center of John the Baptist’s ministry. His call to repentance was the primary word but was consistently followed by: baptism in water shows that remission of sins has taken place.

John the Baptist was prophesied about by the prophet Isaiah (40:3).  The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. In doing just that, he told people to repent or turn away from sin and to turn to God.

In order to prepare for the coming Messiah, many people followed him and were baptized in water to show everyone around them that this was their own choice. This act of baptism was an important distinction in the lives of those Jewish people. It was a public statement of a desire to be in right standing with God no matter the cost.

Why is the act of Baptism continued Today?

Even though it started in the wilderness near Jerusalem it is now a distinctly Christian practice. In the Christian community, new believers are taught to be baptized to begin their new life. They are baptized in the name of The Father, The name of Jesus Christ and The Holy Ghost.

This does not secure you eternal life with God. However it does show that you have made a decision to join the body of Christ (the Christian circle of believers) and accept with your whole heart, the free gift of the forgiveness of sins. It is as though you have been born again into a new life in the family of God.

Going under the water is representative of taking on Christ’s death, and coming out of the water joins you in Christ’s resurrection. This public testimony can be done as an individual or as whole families.

For different denominations this symbolic act is performed differently. For instance the Roman Catholic Church performs a sacramental baptism for infants as well as adults who have converted to the faith. It is a primary belief for the Catholic Christian Church that the rite baptism assures eternal life.

Amish adults are baptized by the Amish bishop in an Amish church. Amish bishops preside over baptism services. Amish baptism by immersion in water is reserved for those who are converts to the Amish faith.

Amish children are not baptized until they reach adulthood and can make their own decision about whether to join the Amish church. Amish adults who have left the Amish faith are not welcomed back into the Amish community unless they undergo a baptism ceremony.

The Great Commission

According to God’s Word, and the words of Jesus in these clear verses, recorded in the book of Mark chapter 16, 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. This is known as the great commission.

In the Evangelical Circles baptismal waters are more like a river or even a pool. They believe that as Jesus’ death was when his body was “under the ground” so should the body be immersed fully in water. And as the resurrection of Jesus Christ was when he came “up out of the grave” so should the body be brought back up out of the water.

After the day of Pentecost when the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out on to each of the members of the early church in the upper room, the glory of the Father and the grace of God was finally understood fully. The early Christians, just as the Christian church of today express the love of the Lord Jesus Christ in preaching the good news, that our sins are forgiven by a “baptism of blood” shed for us on the cross by Jesus.

In the book of Acts the Saint Paul, and the original disciples, followed the new Christian tradition by baptizing even the little children. Because Jesus often referred to the faith of children, needed to accept all the ways that He was teaching us to come to the Father.

There are a few religions that do not practice baptism.

There is no record of Jewish people being baptized before John the Baptist. Jewish people believed that baptism was a Gentile practice and that it was not necessary for them. John the Baptist’s baptism was a new concept for Jewish people, and many were skeptical of it. However, some Jewish people did start to follow John the Baptist and were baptized by him.

Judaism does not believe in baptism because they do not believe in the concept of original sin. Buddhists also do not believe in original sin, and they see baptism as a Western practice that is not relevant to their religion. Hindus do not have a specific belief about original sin, but some sects within Hinduism do practice baptism as a purification ritual.

What Are Original Sin and Transgressions?

Original sin is the doctrine that all humans are born sinful, because of the sin of Adam and Eve. This means that we are all prone to making bad choices and doing things that are against God’s will. Transgressions are specific sins that we commit, which can be forgiven through repentance, confession and baptism.

Original sin cannot be forgiven in this way, and instead requires us to rely on God’s grace for salvation. Christians believe that original sin is the reason why Jesus had to die on the cross – because only His perfect sacrifice could atone for our sins and cleanse us from our corrupt state.

Original sin is a difficult doctrine to understand, but it is central to Christian belief. We must remember that we are all sinners, but thankfully we have a Savior who loves us and died for us. Original sin is not an excuse to sin, but it is a reminder of our need for God’s grace.

Transgressions are different from original sin in that they are specific actions that go against God’s will. Original sin is a general state of being separated from God, while transgressions are specific choices that we make that separate us from Him. Christians believe that we are all born with original sin, but we are not born guilty of any specific transgressions. Transgressions are our own individual choices that we make throughout our lives.

Both of these are believed to be covered by repentance and baptism. No matter the interpretation of scripture both are absolutely necessary. However, there is a case for not believing that baptism saves.

Why Is It Not Necessary To Be Baptized?

In the time of John the Baptist the necessity of baptism was unimaginable. Jesus did not even preach about this until much later in His ministry. He preached about the Kingdom of Heaven and the love that God has for all people. However, His great commission included baptism.

Jesus promised the thief on the cross that he would be in paradise with Jesus that day. Jesus is true to His promises, and He is a loving God who desires to have a relationship with us. If you repent of your sin and ask Jesus into your life, He will forgive you and give you eternal life. Even if there is no chance for you to be baptized as expressed by Jesus on the cross.

The Kingdom of God is promised to those who accept Jesus as His Son and repent or turn away from those sins that will lead them away from that relationship. For more on that you can read Does God Love Everyone?

Both the apostle Paul and the apostle Peter preached the gospel of Jesus and the Kingdom of God, His Father, many of the Gentiles were saved in secret hiding places and were not able to be baptized. However the church grew exponentially during this time of persecution.

They also preached about the gift of the Holy Spirit and the comfort strength and wisdom that He had to offer. They made disciples of all the nations in the world at that time.

What Is Heaven, What Is Paradise And How To Get There?

Jesus often spoke of paradise, most notably when He promised the thief on the cross that they would be together in paradise (Luke 23:43). Jesus also spoke of His Father’s house having many rooms and that He was going to prepare a place for us (John 14:2). So what is the difference between Paradise and Heaven?

Simply put, Heaven is the dwelling place of God while Paradise was a holding place for those who had died. Jesus went to Heaven when He died on the cross. When Jesus rose from the dead, He returned to Heaven (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9-11). Jesus promised His disciples that He would come back for them and take them to be with Him in Heaven (John 14:3).

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) According to Jesus, He is the gift of God. He came in the lineage of King David, thus fulfilling the promise given to David. (Jeremiah 17:25b)

His physical birth was in a humbling manor so that no one could say that He came only for the wealthy. His Kingdom was that of the Spirit of God, not of this world as all had believed. He taught that good works nor wealth would not provide a place in Heaven.

His death was that of a public ceremony of the lamb of God being sacrificed for the sins of all the world, not just one group of people or even one single person. This was against the teachings of the Jewish people of the time and they did not understand the deep symbolism of older traditions they kept.

Truth is, the Heavenly Father loves all of His creation. He had originally called out one nation to prove His love and power to everyone. They had not understood that they were to be a powerful example of His extravagant love. So, He sent His son to make a way for all people to have reason to search and to find Him.

The necessity of baptism was so that we as humans can follow after Jesus in a powerful yet attainable way. We have but to desire to be like Him and to offer ourselves to Him and His Kingdom as subjects to His Lavish Love.

P.s. (Plain and simple)

Through this acceptance we can experience the removal of the filth of the flesh (known as sin) and walk in the freedom of knowing that we are accepted by The Son and The Father and that we will be guided by The Holy Spirit with each step. They say “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and You will be saved–you and your household. (Acts 6:31)