Baptism Talk

[LilLamb219]

I thought I'd start a new thread to get the theological discussion out of the Alehaus!

Let's talk baptism! It's one of my favorite subjects! :clap:

We need a baptism Smilie LOL

[dinkime]

a baptism smilie would be cool!! it could be a dove over a little smilie

[The Princess Bride]

Ok, I'll ask the first question.;)

Do you think baptism is a necessary part of Christianity and salvation?

[Melethiel]

Ok, I'll ask the first question.;)

Do you think baptism is a necessary part of Christianity and salvation?
Necessary, but not absolutely necessary.

[KimLCMS]

How do you explain "Necessary but not absolutely necessary" to someone who is not up on Christian Talk?

[Melethiel]

God may give his grace wherever He wills...we do not constrain God. However, God has also given us the Sacraments, means of grace with a promise attached, and we should observe them whenever possible.

[The Princess Bride]

Necessary, but not absolutely necessary.
Necessary because of the symbolism, yet not absolutely necessary because it wont change someone's eternal destination?

[Melethiel]

Necessary because of the symbolism, yet not absolutely necessary because it wont change someone's eternal destination?
No. See my clarification above.

[DaRev]

Necessary because of the symbolism, yet not absolutely necessary because it wont change someone's eternal destination?

Baptism is necessary because it is commanded by God's word. It works salvation (1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16). It is one of the means of grace whereby we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

It is not absolutely necessary because God can and does have mercy and compassion on whom He wills (Exodus 33:19).

[DaSeminarian]

I think DaRev speaks well for the Clergy. I will bow out of this discussion.

[Radiata]

Continuing on from the alehaus,

Quick post, then I'm going to a meeting with Pastor tony.
Again, read Luther's Small Catechism. Have you ever read it? Were you confirmed? Were you taught what Baptism is?I read the small cat on baptism over and over again. It doesn't say enough. I spent all day yesterday after vbs at the library and on cf getting answers. I am now understanding the "what" questions that I need to know, but the problem now is that I need to know the "why questions".


Because you are taking them out of context.
No, I am not. In the training manual, next to the the "benefits of baptism" there is scripture that supports it. I am saying that the one's provided are taken out of context. They assigned those verses, not me.
Maybe it's because Jesus commands these things? His word commands we be Baptized. Has this man been offered Baptism? Is he refusing to be Baptized, thinking he doesn't need it? If so, I would seriously doubt his faith. Why would he want to refuse something that our Lord commands?
He has been baptized since, but what if he died fleeing the country? That was what I meant.

Yes, my chruch is lcms.

[BigNorsk]

I'm about burnt out on baptism. It's been one big running battle over in Sacramental Theology.

But I've got pretty much all those who dispise infant baptism and think submersion is the only mode beat down so they stay quite unless someone starts a new threads.

I recently found one of the best trivia questions I've ever seen in the Bible. It's concerning the baptism unto Moses. I didn't notice until recently that the mode is actually specifically mentioned in the Bible, I always assumed it was foggy or something to apply the water. Well Psalm 77 tells us that God poured down the water from the cloud.

Psa 77:14-20 NET.
(14) You are the God who does amazing things;
you have revealed your strength among the nations.
(15) You delivered your people by your strength —
the children of Jacob and Joseph. (Selah)
(16) The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and trembled.
Yes, the depths of the sea shook with fear.
(17) The clouds poured down rain;
the skies thundered.
Yes, your arrows flashed about.
(18) Your thunderous voice was heard in the wind;
the lightning bolts lit up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
(19) You walked through the sea;
you passed through the surging waters,
but left no footprints.
(20) You led your people like a flock of sheep,
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Marv

[BigNorsk]

I really like the baptism unto Moses because it is the baptism that we can see the most about. It's just described so many places.

For instance we can see that God baptized them, they didn't do it themselves.

We also know that the purpose was to covenant with those people who would receive the promised land. In order to receive the promised land, either you went through the baptism or you were the child of someone who did. Interestingly, while necessary to receive the land, it was not absolutely necessary. Rahab and her family were saved by faith without the baptism is one example.

The adults who received the baptism turned from God and worshipped idols and so they perished in the wilderness. Showing that while baptism saved them, they could still reject God and perish. So there goes the OSAS.

Anyway there is so much to learn about baptism from that but it's often frustrating because so many don't even see baptism in the Old Testament. They don't even see it in a lot of places in the New. When the words were translated they don't even seem to realize the bible is talking about baptism and if there is anything that doesn't agree with their theology, they just say it's the baptism of the Holy Spirit and don't pay it any mind.

I always wonder why when the baptism of the Holy Spirit is so clearly referred to as God pouring our his Holy Spirit, why people think the mode of baptism much be submersion. It seems like over the years the words immersion and submersion have become synonyms for most people. If you really want to see a funny face, when someone asks if you were immersed, say yes, you were immersed by pouring the water.

Anyway enough for now.

Marv

[seajoy]

I really like the baptism unto Moses because it is the baptism that we can see the most about. It's just described so many places.

For instance we can see that God baptized them, they didn't do it themselves.

We also know that the purpose was to covenant with those people who would receive the promised land. In order to receive the promised land, either you went through the baptism or you were the child of someone who did. Interestingly, while necessary to receive the land, it was not absolutely necessary. Rahab and her family were saved by faith without the baptism is one example.

The adults who received the baptism turned from God and worshipped idols and so they perished in the wilderness. Showing that while baptism saved them, they could still reject God and perish. So there goes the OSAS.

Anyway there is so much to learn about baptism from that but it's often frustrating because so many don't even see baptism in the Old Testament. They don't even see it in a lot of places in the New. When the words were translated they don't even seem to realize the bible is talking about baptism and if there is anything that doesn't agree with their theology, they just say it's the baptism of the Holy Spirit and don't pay it any mind.

I always wonder why when the baptism of the Holy Spirit is so clearly referred to as God pouring our his Holy Spirit, why people think the mode of baptism much be submersion. It seems like over the years the words immersion and submersion have become synonyms for most people. If you really want to see a funny face, when someone asks if you were immersed, say yes, you were immersed by pouring the water.

Anyway enough for now.

Marv
Good stuff, Marv. :thumbsup: Thanks.

[DaRev]

Continuing on from the alehaus,

Quick post, then I'm going to a meeting with Pastor tony.I read the small cat on baptism over and over again. It doesn't say enough. I spent all day yesterday after vbs at the library and on cf getting answers. I am now understanding the "what" questions that I need to know, but the problem now is that I need to know the "why questions".

Have you read the Large catechism on Baptism? I'm sure your pastor can loan you a copy to read.

No, I am not. In the training manual, next to the the "benefits of baptism" there is scripture that supports it. I am saying that the one's provided are taken out of context. They assigned those verses, not me.

Which program are you using for VBS? Is it the CPH program? What verses are they using to support Baptism?

[Melethiel]

All catechisms are available online:
http://www.bookofconcord.com

[DaSeminarian]

Continuing on from the alehaus,

Quick post, then I'm going to a meeting with Pastor tony.I read the small cat on baptism over and over again. It doesn't say enough. I spent all day yesterday after vbs at the library and on cf getting answers. I am now understanding the "what" questions that I need to know, but the problem now is that I need to know the "why questions".

No, I am not. In the training manual, next to the the "benefits of baptism" there is scripture that supports it. I am saying that the one's provided are taken out of context. They assigned those verses, not me.

He has been baptized since, but what if he died fleeing the country? That was what I meant.

Yes, my chruch is lcms.


I am glad that you are meeting with your Pastor about this.

Who wrote the "manual" you speak of which has these "benefits of baptism"?

I would seriously question any written material that is not provided by Augsburg Fortress or Concordia Presses or Eerdmans. These three are pretty reliable for Lutheran sources. I would even put more emphasis on Eerdmans and Concordia than Augsburg Fortress because of the Higher Critical position the ELCA tends to publish.

[Jim47]

Ok, I'll ask the first question.;)

Do you think baptism is a necessary part of Christianity and salvation?


Aside from Jesus commanding baptism there are many verses. Here is just one

Ac 2:36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
Ac 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Ac 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Ac 2:39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."
Ac 2:40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
Ac 2:41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day

[Radiata]

Got off work. What a day.


Have you read the Large catechism on Baptism? I'm sure your pastor can loan you a copy to read.



Which program are you using for VBS? Is it the CPH program? What verses are they using to support Baptism?
Yes it is the cph program. Aparently this weeks curriculum is bad though. It isn't enjoyable to the kids and are confusing. we are using verses like luke 16 16 "believe and baptised are saved" some others like that.
I am glad that you are meeting with your Pastor about this.

Who wrote the "manual" you speak of which has these "benefits of baptism"? The manual is the FaithKids training manual. I don't know who wrote it. I spoke to a lot of people this morning and most of them invited me to the "Three Solas Cafe." I'm not entirely sure what it is. But judging from the name, it should be pretty good.

I have some huge questions about baptism still. I guess you could say that I have been "recatechized" because I am now understanding the "what" questions. I spent about 9 hours yesterday and all morning today doing research and looking for answers. Now I need to understand the why and how questions.
How does baptism save? How can one be saved if they are already saved through faith? How can you be saved without faith that you can only get with age? End of luke, "baptized and believes is saved" But it can't only be this. Only faith is "absolutely" required. Here's a senario. An infant is baptised. That infant is thrown somewhere where there is absolutely 0% Christian influence. When he dies, is he saved? Aparently the scriptures and Pastor Tony say yes.

Same scenario, except not baptized. Is the person saved? No. This is excluding both baptism and faith, where the former example is baptism alone. This means that baptism is a salvation act in itself. And this is something that I disagree with and just don't understand. There are other questions that need answering as well.

Don't worry about old testament relavence anymore. Tony said that you have to interprete scripture with scripture. If something is in the new testament that changes what is said in the old testament, follow the new testament. Otherwise, follow the old testament laws.
The computer is in my oldest brothers room and he wants to go to bed. I have to get off.

[DaRev]

Got off work. What a day.

Yes it is the cph program. Aparently this weeks curriculum is bad though. It isn't enjoyable to the kids and are confusing. we are using verses like luke 16 16 "believe and baptised are saved" some others like that.

Perhaps a refresher on the Bible would be in order.

First, Luke 16:16 "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since then the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it." It's not talking about Baptism.

What you are trying to quote is Mark 16:16, "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." This verse clearly shows that Baptism AND faith go hand in hand.

The manual is the FaithKids training manual. I don't know who wrote it. I spoke to a lot of people this morning and most of them invited me to the "Three Solas Cafe." I'm not entirely sure what it is. But judging from the name, it should be pretty good.

I have no clue what the "FaithKids training manual" is. Any information I have found on the name comes from Baptist and Non-denominational sources and is not something that should be used in a Lutheran church.


I have some huge questions about baptism still. I guess you could say that I have been "recatechized" because I am now understanding the "what" questions. I spent about 9 hours yesterday and all morning today doing research and looking for answers. Now I need to understand the why and how questions.
How does baptism save? How can one be saved if they are already saved through faith? How can you be saved without faith that you can only get with age? End of luke, "baptized and believes is saved" But it can't only be this. Only faith is "absolutely" required. Here's a senario. An infant is baptised. That infant is thrown somewhere where there is absolutely 0% Christian influence. When he dies, is he saved? Aparently the scriptures and Pastor Tony say yes.

Same scenario, except not baptized. Is the person saved? No. This is excluding both baptism and faith, where the former example is baptism alone. This means that baptism is a salvation act in itself. And this is something that I disagree with and just don't understand. There are other questions that need answering as well.


Baptism is a work of God, not of Man. It is the Holy Spirit who calls and moves us to Baptism. Thus, the faith that is required to have to receive Baptism is given by the Holy Spirit at the same time. In this way, Baptism is a means of grace and does indeed offer salvation. Scripture clearly states that Baptism saves and is necessary for salvation.

And where do you get the idea that faith only comes "with age"? God gives the gift of faith. Infants and children can and do have faith. The Scriptures say nothing about any type of age level or requirement for faith. That is a heterodox teaching that is neither supported by the Scriptures nor is held by the Lutheran Church.

[TCat]

Baptism is a work of God, not of Man. It is the Holy Spirit who calls and moves us to Baptism. Thus, the faith that is required to have to receive Baptism is given by the Holy Spirit at the same time. In this way, Baptism is a means of grace and does indeed offer salvation. Scripture clearly states that Baptism saves and is necessary for salvation.


I don't get this either. Baptism is a work of God and not of man. It is the Holy Spirit who calls and moves us to Baptism. But the faith that is required to have to recieve Baptism and is given by the Holy Spirit is not necessarily given at the same time. Many Christians have come to faith and have not recieved Baptism yet are still Christians and it cannot be that they don't already have the Holy Spirit or they would not be requesting Baptism.

And there are children who recieve Baptism not out of faith but out of family tradition who never hear the name of Jesus outside of a curse word and who chose to deny God as Lord or are ignorant of the Lord as they grow older. Are they saved by Baptism, if so then OSAS must be correct.

These are questions I also struggle with, but wait for the Lord to reveal the answers since it only seems to make everyone angry when I ask them.

[DaRev]

I don't get this either. Baptism is a work of God and not of man. It is the Holy Spirit who calls and moves us to Baptism. But the faith that is required to have to recieve Baptism and is given by the Holy Spirit is not necessarily given at the same time. Many Christians have come to faith and have not recieved Baptism yet are still Christians and it cannot be that they don't already have the Holy Spirit or they would not be requesting Baptism.

And there are children who recieve Baptism not out of faith but out of family tradition who never hear the name of Jesus outside of a curse word and who chose to deny God as Lord or are ignorant of the Lord as they grow older. Are they saved by Baptism, if so then OSAS must be correct.

These are questions I also struggle with, but wait for the Lord to reveal the answers since it only seems to make everyone angry when I ask them.

It is the Holy Spirit who moves us to be Baptized. Thus the faith necessary to receive it has already been given. Baptism does indeed offer salvation. I don't understand what is so hard about 1 Peter 3:21, "Baptism now saves you." It's as clear as crystal.

Anyone who rejects baptism or refuses it has also rejected the faith that moves them to be baptized.

Perhaps the parents have rejected God's gift of faith, but that has no bearing whatsoever on the faith of the child. God gives it freely to everyone. If the child grows and rejects God's gift of faith and salvation, then he is not saved. OSAS has nothing to do with it.

I find it a bit perplexing that so many Lutherans have been confirmed and yet have no idea of the Lutheran confessional teaching of baptism. :scratch:

[TCat]

Well, I guess I will still wait on the Lord, it is not clear to me but it doesn't have to be, I know in whom I trust, and that is all that is needed.

[seajoy]

Well, I guess I will still wait on the Lord, it is not clear to me but it doesn't have to be, I know in whom I trust, and that is all that is needed.
God already spoke to us in His word. The answers you seek on Baptism are already there. :)

God bless

[BigNorsk]

It is the Holy Spirit who moves us to be Baptized. Thus the faith necessary to receive it has already been given. Baptism does indeed offer salvation. I don't understand what is so hard about 1 Peter 3:21, "Baptism now saves you." It's as clear as crystal.

Anyone who rejects baptism or refuses it has also rejected the faith that moves them to be baptized.

Perhaps the parents have rejected God's gift of faith, but that has no bearing whatsoever on the faith of the child. God gives it freely to everyone. If the child grows and rejects God's gift of faith and salvation, then he is not saved. OSAS has nothing to do with it.

I find it a bit perplexing that so many Lutherans have been confirmed and yet have no idea of the Lutheran confessional teaching of baptism. :scratch:

Maybe it's because Seminary is good at distinguishing those people who are good at studying, but not so good at distinguishing those people who are good teachers?

Marv

[Jenna]

I find it a bit perplexing that so many Lutherans have been confirmed and yet have no idea of the Lutheran confessional teaching of baptism. :scratch:

Do you think that it might have something to do with age? I know that at 13, I was not able to fully understand much of what I was reading, not without guidance from someone more learned. I think that Luther's way of explaining things is a little more complex than what is taught in so many churches- that you just declare your own choice to accept God. For me, it has taken years to get deeper into theology, to understand the points that I believe Luther got so right. I feel at a disadvantage because in my own church, we didn't even really go through the small catechism. I had my dad's old copy from when he was a child, and I tried to study on my own. After we ran through the basics before confirmation, there was no more continuing education specifically on things like justification, sanctification, baptism, the Lord's Supper, etc. Our lessons about these things just sort of pop up, if it is relevant to the small piece of scripture that we study every week during bible study.

That is why I like hanging out with you guys in here, even if I just pop in to read. It is good to get into the real meat of subjects, instead of getting a Cliff Notes version tacked onto the end of a bible study.

[LilLamb219]

In baptism we receive faith. This is the clincher!!! This is why infants are saved BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH, just like the rest of us.

If we have faith to begin with before baptism, that faith grasps onto the gifts given in baptism.

[filosofer]

In baptism we receive faith. This is the clincher!!! This is why infants are saved BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH, just like the rest of us.

If we have faith to begin with before baptism, that faith grasps onto the gifts given in baptism.

LiLamb, so well stated!

TCat and Jenna, hang in there. Luther's Catechism is simple yet profound, and amazingly well laid out for easy memorization.

Remember that his catechism is only about 15 pages long; the explanations of Luther's explanations use up the other 250-300 pages. ^_^

In Christ's love,
filo

[Jenna]

Thanks Filo. :) I have really enjoyed this learning and growing process so much. I'm not overwhelmed any more, like I was at the awkward age of 13. What once seemed like climbing a mountain is now more like hiking a beautiful pass that has challenges scattered along the path.

[Radiata]

I did mention that they let me back in right? I went to church yesterday, and first I talked with a friend named Andy. This guy knows probably more than an average minister and he’s only 21. Then, I went into pastor Tony’s office and did a lot more research with my bible, FaithKids training manual, and several Lutheran magazines that Tony got out for me. He left, then came back around 11 where we talked over lunch. He wouldn’t let me pay. I only had $20’s and $50’s on me, so I couldn’t even leave a tip. We talked until 12:30 until he had to make a phone call to a former American ambassador. Don’t know what it was about. After that, Sue(director of VBS) sat down with me and made sure that I knew what the consequences of screwing up again would be. She couldn’t stop praising me for my leadership skills. She couldn’t stop telling me of the other FaithKids directors praise for me. Frankly, I think she was exaggerating a bit. Bottom line, I am allowed to teach again.Perhaps a refresher on the Bible would be in order.

First, Luke 16:16 "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since then the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it." It's not talking about Baptism.

What you are trying to quote is Mark 16:16, "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." This verse clearly shows that Baptism AND faith go hand in hand.
Oops, thanks. Just going from memory here. The weeks memory verse is John 14:6. Jesus is way, truth, life. I know I got that verse right.


I have no clue what the "FaithKids training manual" is. Any information I have found on the name comes from Baptist and Non-denominational sources and is not something that should be used in a Lutheran church.
Our children’s ministry is called FaithKids, because our church is called “Faith Lutheran Church. (http://www.faithtroy.org/)” It’s funny, because it’s the fourth name in like 6 years. We started out as Sunday school while I was there, then just before I graduated into the middle school ministry, the name got changed to “kids connection.” After a while, it again got changed to “Kids InC.” Kids In Christ. But then, in an attempt to unify all the different ages of the children’s ministries, all age groups got changed to FaithKids. Youngest group is called FaithKids Discovery, older is called FaithKids Adventure, and the oldest is called FaithKids Challenge. The training manual is most likely created by my church by the children’s ministry leaders. Maybe someone else, but it was created by my church. It isn’t online, but I can give you most of what it says if you want.


Baptism is a work of God, not of Man. It is the Holy Spirit who calls and moves us to Baptism. Thus, the faith that is required to have to receive Baptism is given by the Holy Spirit at the same time. In this way, Baptism is a means of grace and does indeed offer salvation. Scripture clearly states that Baptism saves and is necessary for salvation.But for infant baptism, it is the parent’s faith that moves them to baptism, not the childs. I am still struggling as to how we can justify that babies can have faith. There is a passage (Luke 1:41) says: “When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” There is another passage that I’m not sure where, but its Paul commissioning either Timothy or Tidus to continuing what he is doing. And remember that from infancy, you have known the scriptures…. The footnote in my Life App. says that he was taught the scriptures by his mother and grandmother since a very young age. That may be true, but my friend Andy told me that in the original Greek text, the two underlined words were the same. That must mean that the second passage could also say: “Since you were still in your mother’s womb, you have known God.” That’s a pretty good argument there. This has been the most convincing piece of evidence that infants can have faith. I don’t have the Training manual with me right now, but so far it coincides with everything you have said. As I said before, I understand the whats of baptism. Now my search takes me to the how and whys.

And where do you get the idea that faith only comes "with age"? God gives the gift of faith. Infants and children can and do have faith. The Scriptures say nothing about any type of age level or requirement for faith. That is a heterodox teaching that is neither supported by the Scriptures nor is held by the Lutheran Church.Faith comes with age is my own conjecture. I find it hard to believe that someone incapable of comprehending faith can have it. That is my reasoning. Now call me on it and tell me why I am wrong please. I need to know the truth.

It is the Holy Spirit who moves us to be Baptized. Thus the faith necessary to receive it has already been given. Baptism does indeed offer salvation. I don't understand what is so hard about 1 Peter 3:21, "Baptism now saves you." It's as clear as crystal.

Perhaps the parents have rejected God's gift of faith, but that has no bearing whatsoever on the faith of the child. God gives it freely to everyone. If the child grows and rejects God's gift of faith and salvation, then he is not saved. OSAS has nothing to do with it.

I find it a bit perplexing that so many Lutherans have been confirmed and yet have no idea of the Lutheran confessional teaching of baptism. :scratch:I was too young. I was stupid. I was ignorant. I was a trouble maker. I did many horrible things back then. With puberty, I came out of it and turned my life around.

OSAS ¿

In baptism we receive faith. This is the clincher!!! This is why infants are saved BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH, just like the rest of us.

If we have faith to begin with before baptism, that faith grasps onto the gifts given in baptism.So we are using brain surgery to implant faith with the water we sprinkle on their heads? I understand, but I need the why and how questions answered here.

[seajoy]

What did you learn in one day to make them change their minds?

Frankly, I'm a little disappointed that you were reinstated so quickly. From what you have told us here...it looks as though more study with your Pastor is warranted.

[Radiata]

What did you learn in one day to make them change their minds?

Frankly, I'm a little disappointed that you were reinstated so quickly. From what you have told us here...it looks as though more study with your Pastor is warranted.

Since I have a huge history with them, they didn't want me to go in the first place. Also, didn't you read that I spent about 9 hours the day I got fired getting answers? And that I had many people help me the next day aside from the pastor? I ate a mountain of stress food that day because I was so angry for them doing that. But you know what? I think I will change my mood smiley now.

[seajoy]

ok

[porterross]

Since I have a huge history with them, they didn't want me to go in the first place. Also, didn't you read that I spent about 9 hours the day I got fired getting answers? And that I had many people help me the next day aside from the pastor? I ate a mountain of stress food that day because I was so angry for them doing that. But you know what? I think I will change my mood smiley now.
This is how we learn sometimes, Radiata. I'm glad to see you didn't use it as an excuse to do something drastically self destructive or harden your heart as many others might. I'm proud of ya. :)

[GratiaCorpusChristi]

Baptism is a means of grace by which God bestows what it signifies; that is, baptism both signifies the salvation of the recipient and communications salvation. It, however, is not the only means of salvation, but it is entirely efficacious on its own, especially in infants who inherit the covenant right from their elect parents.

[KimLCMS]

Baptism is necessary because it is commanded by God's word. It works salvation (1 Peter 3:21, Mark 16:16). It is one of the means of grace whereby we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

It is not absolutely necessary because God can and does have mercy and compassion on whom He wills (Exodus 33:19).
Thanks DaRev.