If we love God and live a life according to His will, do we need to be baptized? Is baptism required for our salvation? These are great questions! Let’s examine them in light of the Bible and the life of Jesus Christ. Romans 6:1–8 reveals the stunning beauty of baptism. By being baptized, we publically acknowledge our acceptance of Christ into our lives. Baptism also signifies Jesus’ blood cleansing our sins—it is a ‘watery grave’ to a life of sin. We are “dying” to self and acknowledging that we have “been raised” into a new life with Christ. We are, in essence, identifying with the death and resurrection of Jesus. Now, let’s look at Ephesians 2:8–9. It says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” We can take this to mean that baptism is not the “key” to the kingdom. God’s grace is the key. Nothing we do earns us a place in heaven. Baptism isn't something we do to get into heaven. Indeed, a clear example of salvation without baptism was the thief on the cross at Jesus’ crucifixion. Luke 23:39-43 describes a thief who believed in Christ and asked to be remembered by Jesus when He entered into His kingdom. Jesus, even while dying, granted salvation to this thief who had not been baptized. The example of the thief on the cross, however, doesn’t mean we should forgo baptism. It is truly an act of solidifying our allegiance to Christ. Most important, Jesus commands us to be baptized. In Matthew 28:19, Jesus says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” God desires we be baptized. If He commands us to do this and we refuse, what does that say about our relationship to Him? Besides, we should always seek to follow the perfect example of the Savior. Jesus, although without sin, was baptized by John the Baptist in the river Jordan (Mark 1:9), an act that “well pleased” His heavenly Father. Obviously, the thief on the cross did not have the opportunity to be baptized; nevertheless, he was saved. However, if we have the opportunity to follow God's will and be baptized, shouldn’t we? By Sabrina P.
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Maria
Monday, February 27, 2012 12:04 PM
there is no special age....because the bible says on judgement day both great and small stand before God. Your mom does not get your sin. The moment you realize that u are a sinner and have sinned and is sorry for your sins and have no intention of doing them again, you should think about baptizing. you dont kno when you gonna die so its gud to be ready. the only accepted reason one should be willing to give up their life is for Jesus Christ. so suicide is nothing good. normally a person commits suicide because they feel hopeless. and so if you commit suicide u would make God look bad...its like ur saying God cant help and God doesnt like that. its a sin....and no sin shall enter heaven
Rach
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 2:37 AM
What Bible studies are reccomended to do before Baptism? Do you know any online courses? Thnx
Rachel (rocket girl98)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 2:29 AM
Hi My name is Rachel and I'm 12 years old. A friend of my family commited suicide -hanged herself- it was something about stress that made her do it. She was an sda before. Do you think she'd be in heaven? or is what she did breaking God's law?
kevin
Wednesday, October 13, 2010 1:28 AM
Look at the age when Jesus got baptized. Someone can come to the awareness the bible speaks about on a early age and old age. Its not how old you have to be to get baptized its how old (mature) speaking that you have to be to get baptized.
jose Agdalapiz Jr.
Sunday, October 10, 2010 11:16 PM
The baptism is a mandatory command of God about the ideal age requirements needed it depends as long as the person understand the importance of baptism that is the time to decide, accept Jesus as his/her Savior through baptism. Through Jesus in the book of Matthew chapter 3 Jesus give an example to follow the right time formula of baptism and the significant of baptism to every human being to believe means faith and faith brings fruits to follow Jesus. to all the readers of this comment, are you willing to follow Christ step? if your answer yes? decide to baptize now for baptism publicly is a symbol of acceptance of the calling of the Savior Jesus to repent and be baptised in order save. Without Jesus we can't nothing.
Maria Reid
Friday, October 08, 2010 10:00 PM
to Pedro, u wrote "it's game over if you kill yourself and you were not in Christ" but do you think someone who is truly in Christ would kill their self knowing God has a plan for their life? As for Terrell there is no age limit on baptism, Jesus said in John 3 "...except a man be born of the water and of the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.." Now no one knows when they're gonna die. So here what as soon as you are concious of the fact that you have sinned and that you are sorry and ready to give your life to the Lord get baptized in the name Of Jesus Christ, cuz the sooner the better
Pedro Nuno
Sunday, October 03, 2010 7:35 PM
Hi, Terrell. The Bible doesn't mention any age at which someone should get baptized. However, it says that one must be fully aware of the commitment he is making with Christ, and at least know the basics of his teaching. 12 is just fine. Better soon than never :D Oh and no, nothing will happen to anyone if you're baptized early. As for the other question, well it depends on the reason. But for the most part you will want to avoid suicide because after that you will no longer have the chance to prove yourself to God. It's game over if you kill yourself and you weren't in Christ.
terrell ferguson
Friday, October 01, 2010 1:39 AM
how old should i be before being baptized. and do my mom get my sin if i am not old enough. i have another question if some one kill them self will they go to heven. thank's i am 12yrs old i just want to know.
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