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If You Are Not Baptized Are You a Christian? – Viral Believer
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If You Are Not Baptized Are You a Christian?

Introduction

Baptism is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, but its relationship to salvation is not always clear. Many Evangelical Christians believe that baptism is necessary for someone to be considered a Christian, while others view it as an important but not essential aspect of faith.

In this blog post, we will explore the biblical understanding of baptism and its relationship to being a Christian.

First, we will examine the meaning of baptism and its role in the Christian faith. Baptism is a sacrament that symbolizes our identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. It is also a public declaration of our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.

However, while baptism is an important aspect of the Christian faith, it is not the means of salvation. Our salvation is based on our faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross.

Second, we will explore the relationship between baptism and salvation. While baptism is not necessary for salvation, it is evidence of our faith in Jesus Christ and our obedience to his command. Baptism is also connected to the forgiveness of sins, but it is not the means of forgiveness.

Only the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins. Thus, while baptism is important, it is not the central message of the gospel.

baptism in the Bible

Understanding Baptism

Baptism is a sacrament that symbolizes the believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. It is an act of obedience and a public declaration of one’s faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. According to the Bible, baptism is an essential part of the Christian faith.

Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20).

In the early Christian church, baptism was performed by full immersion in water. The believer would be fully immersed in water, symbolizing their death to sin and resurrection to new life in Christ. This practice continues in many Christian denominations today.

Baptism is also an act of initiation into the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:13, it says, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”

This means that through baptism, we become part of the community of believers and participate in the life of the church.

The Relationship between Baptism and Salvation

The Bible teaches that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

This means that our salvation is not earned by our own good works, but it is a free gift from God.

However, the Bible also teaches that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). In other words, if we have true faith in Jesus Christ, it will be evidenced by the good works we do. Baptism is one of these works. It is a public declaration of our faith in Jesus Christ, and it is evidence of our obedience to his command.

In Acts 2:38, Peter tells the people to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. This shows that baptism is connected to the forgiveness of sins, but it is not the means of forgiveness. Only the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins (1 John 1:7).

Baptism is a symbol of our faith in Jesus and our desire to turn away from our old way of life.

Can You Be a Christian without Being Baptized?

The question remains: can you be a Christian without being baptized? The answer is yes. Baptism is an important aspect of the Christian faith, but it is not the only aspect.

The thief on the cross next to Jesus was not baptized, but Jesus promised him that he would be with him in paradise (Luke 23:43). This shows that salvation is based on our faith in Jesus, not on our baptism.

However, if someone refuses to be baptized, it may be a sign that they have not truly repented and put their faith in Jesus Christ.

Baptism is an act of obedience and a public declaration of our faith. If someone claims to be a Christian but refuses to be baptized, it may be an indication that they have not fully surrendered their life to Jesus Christ.

It is also important to note that baptism is not a requirement for salvation. The apostle Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 1:17 that his mission was not to baptize, but to preach the gospel. This does not mean that baptism is unimportant, but it shows that baptism is not the central message of the gospel.

The message of the gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ came to save sinners and that through faith in him, we can have eternal life. Baptism is an outward expression of that inward faith.

Furthermore, there may be circumstances where baptism is not possible, such as for someone who is physically unable to be baptized. In these cases, their faith in Jesus Christ is what matters most.

It is important to remember that baptism is not a magic formula that automatically saves us. It is a symbol of our faith in Jesus Christ and our desire to turn away from our old way of life. If we are baptized without genuine faith in Jesus Christ, then the baptism is meaningless.

The Importance of Baptism

While baptism is not a requirement for salvation, it is still an important aspect of the Christian faith. Baptism is a way to publicly declare our faith in Jesus Christ and our commitment to follow him. It is a way to join a community of believers and participate in the life of the church.

In Acts 8, we see an example of the importance of baptism. Philip, one of the disciples, meets an Ethiopian eunuch who is reading from the book of Isaiah.

Philip explains to him the gospel message, and the eunuch believes and wants to be baptized. Philip baptizes him, and then the eunuch goes on his way, rejoicing (Acts 8:35-39).

This story shows that baptism is a way to express our joy and gratitude for the salvation we have received through Jesus Christ. It is a way to publicly declare our faith in him and our desire to follow him. Baptism is also a way to mark the beginning of a new life in Christ.

Baptism and Discipleship

Baptism is not the end of the Christian journey, but the beginning. After baptism, we are called to follow Jesus Christ and to grow in our faith. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus tells his disciples to teach new believers to obey all that he has commanded. Baptism is the first step in discipleship, but it is not the only step.

As we grow in our faith, we should seek to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. In Acts 2, we see the disciples being baptized in the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. This baptism in the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples to proclaim the gospel message boldly and to perform signs and wonders in Jesus’ name.

Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a separate experience from water baptism. Water baptism is a one-time event, while baptism in the Holy Spirit is an ongoing experience. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a way for us to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live out our faith and to be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ.

Conclusion

In conclusion, baptism is an important aspect of the Christian faith. It is a sacrament that symbolizes our identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. It is also evidence of our obedience to Jesus Christ and our desire to turn away from our old way of life.

However, baptism is not the means of salvation. Our salvation is based on our faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross. We cannot earn our salvation through good works, including baptism. It is a free gift from God that we receive through faith.

If you have not been baptized, we encourage you to consider doing so as a public declaration of your faith in Jesus Christ. Baptism is a way to join a community of believers and participate in the life of the church. It is also a way to mark the beginning of a new life in Christ.

Finally, it is important to remember that baptism is not a one-time event. As we continue to grow in our faith, we may need to be baptized again as a reminder of our dedication to Christ and his mission.

We should also seek to be baptized in the Holy Spirit, which empowers us to live out our faith and be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ.

In summary, baptism is an important aspect of the Christian faith, but it is not a requirement for salvation. Our salvation is based on our faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross. Baptism is a public declaration of our faith in him and a way to join a community of believers.

It is also a way to mark the beginning of a new life in Christ and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit for effective discipleship.

As Evangelical Christians, we should encourage one another to follow Jesus’ example and obey his command to be baptized. We should also emphasize the importance of ongoing discipleship and being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Through baptism and discipleship, we can grow in our faith and be effective witnesses for Jesus Christ in the world.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.