On the Subject of Baptism

[Cary.Melvin]

In your church, Is Baptism a nesisary step in gaining your salvation?

Many churches are very legalistic about how you are baptised (Emersion, Pouring, Sprikling, ect.). Do these churches see Baptism as a necisary step in gaining your salvation.

If not, why do you bother to Baptise anyone at all?

What meaning does Baptism have for you in your Church?

Do you Baptise your infants? If yes, why?, If no, why?

Thank you for your comments.:pray:

[Knight]

In your church, Is Baptism a nesisary step in gaining your salvation?
No, salvation preceeds baptism.

Many churches are very legalistic about how you are baptised (Emersion, Pouring, Sprikling, ect.). Do these churches see Baptism as a necisary step in gaining your salvation.
That depends on the church. I don't think the method is necessarily tied to wether or not it is a requirement of salvation.

If not, why do you bother to Baptise anyone at all?
God commanded it. Baptism is the sign of the new covenant as circumcision was for the old. (That is the abridged description.)

What meaning does Baptism have for you in your Church?
It is a time of joyful celebration.

Do you Baptise your infants? If yes, why?, If no, why?
No. We do have infant dedication but baptism is not part of it. People are baptised after they repent and place faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

Thank you for your comments.:pray:
You're welcome.

[Ken]

What Knight said..... (I'm Reformed Baptist)

[Ken]

btw, someone offered the following link, which has biblical reasons specifically stated as to why baptismal regeneration is rejected;
http://www.tektonics.org/baptismneed.html
another link is
http://www.gospeloutreach.net/brchap.html
another is
http://www.aomin.org/bapreg.html

[jftaylor21]

I believe that it is not necessary to be baptized to gain salvation. The Bible says many times that all it takes to gain salvation is to believe in Jesus. (Examples: Romans 10:9, 10:13). As soon as this happens you are Baptized by the Holy Spirit. The purpose of Baptism can be described here (christiananswers.net/q-comfort/water-baptism.html).

[InquisitorKind]

If not, why do you bother to Baptise anyone at all?

This is a common question from advocates of baptismal regeneration.

The question would better be phrased as:

Why should Christians obey any part of God's commandment where salvation isn't hanging in the balance?

Otherwise, my direct answer to the original question is that some people actually enjoy obeying God over not obeying Him. It's the same reason advocates of baptismal regeneration wouldn't lie, slander, or gossip, even though such things aren't required for salvation.

~Matt

[Bayhawks83]

In your church, Is Baptism a nesisary step in gaining your salvation?
no

If not, why do you bother to Baptise anyone at all?

its a command, it shows everyone that your a christian
Do you Baptise your infants? If yes, why?, If no, why?no its unbiblical, people in the bible always accept the gospel, then are baptized

[Grace_Alone4gives]

In your church, Is Baptism a nesisary step in gaining your salvation?
No

Many churches are very legalistic about how you are baptised (Emersion, Pouring, Sprikling, ect.). Do these churches see Baptism as a necisary step in gaining your salvation.
We baptise by immersion and by sprinkling. Not a step in gaining your salvation, but a command of Christ, to be done as obedience to Him.

If not, why do you bother to Baptise anyone at all?See above, also, we too, believe baptism to be a sign and seal of the New Covenant. Baptism being a paralell to circumsision of the Old Covenant

What meaning does Baptism have for you in your Church?see above.

Do you Baptise your infants? If yes, why?, If no, why?Yes, we do. As infant were included in the Old Covenant in the OT, so are Infant included in the New Covenant. However, like circumsicion, this does not confirm salvation, but acts as a sign and seal.

Thank you for your comments.:pray:
Welcome

[MikeMcK]

In your church, Is Baptism a nesisary step in gaining your salvation?
No. It is an outward declaration of the salvation you have already recived. Think of it as a kind of Christian "coming out party".

Many churches are very legalistic about how you are baptised (Emersion, Pouring, Sprikling, ect.). Do these churches see Baptism as a necisary step in gaining your salvation.
Depends. Which churches do you mean?

If not, why do you bother to Baptise anyone at all?
Because we're commanded to.

What meaning does Baptism have for you in your Church?
It is an outward declaration of the salvation you have already recived. Think of it as a kind of Christian "coming out party".

Do you Baptise your infants? If yes, why?, If no, why?
No, because scripture is clear that baptism is for the believer. An infant cannot make that choice to recive Christ.

That having been said, I'm all for sprinkling infants as part of a "christening" or dedication ceremony.

[onetruechurch]

t
to you all, first read acts 2:38 Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
How can you take this any other way but that you have to be baptized for forgiveness? this plainly states that you will not be free of your sins until you are baptized. for the remission of your sins- not b/c you think you are already saved.
Now read Mark 16:16. of course you know this one He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be ******.
alot of people say that b/c the bible doesn't say "be baptized not" in the last part of that verse only requires belief in God. Wrong. belief is the requirement before baptism. You cannot be baptized without believing first. what If I say "stand up and jump on one foot and I'll give you 50 dollars, but if you don't stand up, you don't get the money." You have to stand up before you can jump on one foot, but I'll not give you the money for just standing up.... catch my drift?? hope that helps

o you all, first read acts 2:38 Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.
How can you take this any other way but that you have to be baptized for forgiveness? this plainly states that you will not be free of your sins until you are baptized. for the remission of your sins- not b/c you think you are already saved.
Now read Mark 16:16. of course you know this one He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be ******.
alot of people say that b/c the bible doesn't say "be baptized not" in the last part of that verse only requires belief in God. Wrong. belief is the requirement before baptism. You cannot be baptized without believing first. If I say stand up and jump on one foot and I'll give you 50 dollars, but if you don't stand up, you don't get the money. You have to stand up before you can jump on one foot, but I'll not give you the money for just standing up.... catch my drift?? hope that helps

[eldermike]

Let's stick to the questions, the purpose is not to debate the issue. The OP is not allowed to debate the issue with you, so in fairness, an answer is all you can give under the rules.

[Knight]

Let's stick to the questions, the purpose is not to debate the issue. The OP is not allowed to debate the issue with you, so in fairness, an answer is all you can give under the rules.
Amen, Mike.

There are plenty of debates on the necessity of baptism. Let's not start one where we do not need to. The OP asked a question about what our respective churches/denominations teach. Let us not dishonor that request through debate.