Category: Let's talk
Hi all,
If I have not been baptized, am I not a true believer in God? I was having a discussion with someone last night and the person said, “you’re not saved”, and this statement has me extremely concerned about my soul. Can someone shed some light on this?
Christians aggravate me. (Bring on the mobs now.)
No, not being saved, or not being baptized has nothing to do with the religion in my opinion, that's why it bugs me so.
I've been saved, baptized, am technicly a member of a church but I don't consider myself a Christian anymore.
So baptized/saved or not, doesn't make you a christian or not. What you believe yourself, is what you are.
Don't listen to them.
Ah! I must differ with my daughter on this one. The only thing you need to have happen to be a Christian is to be saved. That isn't my opinion, it's the Bible's, and there are numorous verses that back up the statement. If one doesn't believe the Bible, of course, that's a different story in and of itself, but the word Christian simply means "of Christ". If you are of Christ, you have to be born into His family, thus the term "born again".
As far as organized religion goes, screw it! It doesn't get you anywhere except aggravated, and full of doubt. Find you an independant church somewhere that doesn't practice religion. P.S. This topic would have been better suited for the religion board.
no kristians
I agree with cala 100%.
Hello, I believe that being a christian is something that comes from the heart. Baptism is a symbil. That's my view on the subject.
Thanks to ll.
As a collapsed catholic I'd say no the lack of a baptism is no reflection on how you live your life and how honest you are about your faith. Also, don't try to live your life only according to the bible,it's impossible mate and there's no one on earth who's managed it yet.
Stevie.
Personal oppinionincoming, you've been warned. First of all, "don't
try to live your life only according to the bible,it's impossible mate and there's no one on earth who's managed it". That's true, as imperfect human beings we do make mistakes, and so cannot adhere completely to every single bible scripture, day in day out. but it doesn't mean we shouldn't, as christians, try to though. As far as your question goes however, ..look at it like this. You have a partner who you love.You have not yet shared in a comitment ceremony,marriage etc. Does that mean then,that you don't love them? Of course not! The same is true of christianity. The bible says that god knows you. "Even the hairs of your head are numbered" says John. If he knows you in that much detail, he must know your heart, and if your heart is for god and Jesus, then you, my friend, are a Christian, baptized or nay.
There are many other scriptures that back me up on this, just give me a shout if you want to know more, and I'll look them up for you.
I've been told that doubt is a good thing in the life of a believer because it will draw the person closer to god, but of course you must be saved and a genuine believer. How can you know if you're truly saved? I have no idea, but I think it must depend on the faith you have in your god. Just my opinion.
The ritchual of being dunked in a baptizom pool is not as importent as asking jesus to come into your hart and saying your sorry for all your sinns. If you have dun that then the ritchual of baptizom is not importent.
Now to another poster if you don't beleve the bible is true then you don't beleve in god ither because who rote the bible thrue the words of others? That is a mager fayth question that you would probible want to talk to a paster or someone like that that will give it to you strate.
I don't think that the baptism thing really matters either. I think, in my personal opinion, that if you are saved and ask God to come into your heart, then Ithink that's a sign that you're a true Christian. I'm not sure though--I ask myself the same question whenever I make mistakes. But everyone makes mistakes and no one can change that. No Christian, atheist, or anyone else in the world would try to be perfect. In fact, they would be far from it--I know I am. Lol.
Hope this helps,
Macy
You posted this question quite a while back, so I’m not sure if you still have questions, but here is my 2 cents, for what it’s worth…2 cents, I guess. Lol
First, to those of you who dis Christianity, you are of course welcomed to your opinion, but that is not helping CoryJ with his dilemma. Maybe those views ought to have been in a topic of their own.
The last few posters before me really did a good job of summing up what I am about to say. As far as baptism goes, this is the way I understand it, and the way I teach it. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward commitment.
Several branches of Christianity believe that you have to be baptized to be saved. To me, this does not make sense from a biblical perspective. According to the Bible, all one has to do to be saved is believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that He died on the cross to pay the price for the sins we commit. The Bible also says that we are not saved by our own works.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
If baptism is required to be saved, then that is a work, and the bible says it’s not our works that save us. Also, Jesus told one of the thieves on the cross that the man would be in heaven with Christ, and this man was obviously not baptized.
So, in my understanding of the bible, baptism is not a requirement for salvation. Now though, here comes the kicker. If you are a believer, why don’t you want to be baptized? Christ said that we are to be baptized as He was, so as a believer, you should want to be baptized. Do I believe you will not go to heaven if you are not, no. As a believer though, I think you should be baptized though to follow Christ’s instructions.
simon_c used the illustration of marriage, and I would like to continue that point. I said that baptism is an outward sign of an inward commitment. If you are married, is it the wedding ring that makes you a married person…no, it was the commitment. The wedding ring though shows the world that you are committed to your spouse. Baptism is similar. Does it save you, no…but it is a sign of your commitment to Christ that the rest of the world can see.
Hope this helps, and if you want to talk, get in touch with me any time.
I agree with you.
To Cory J. I hope you read this. This baptism issue is obviously a hot topic. Being raised Lutheran, I was baptized as an infant. So, let me explain things from a more different point of view I once heard a Catholic priest describe baptism as one's passport into heaven. Many Christian churches believe in original sin. Simply put, this means that one's ssoul has been cleansed. Now, just because one is baptized, does not guarantee entrance into heaven. What it does do though is to seal a member of a church to Christ. Many Christians such as my own church and the Catholic church believe that this iswhen the holy spirit is given to an infant. Okay, please let's not get into the usual baptism of the spirit debate here! Is baptism necessary for salvation, I'm not sure. But to my church and others, it is an extremely important sacrament. Whether by godparents, or as an adult, a person makes a public statement renouncing satan and his words and deeds. There is also what is called the baptism of desire. Suppose a person has never heard of Christ. But maybe they wouldbecome a Christian if they had the chace. If they were to die, they would then in a certain sense, be considdered a Christian. As far as individual salvation, none of us knows who's "saved". I would recommend baptism, though. Especially if you've made a committment to a particular church. Some churches require that new members be baptized before entering, regardless if tey've already been baptized before. My church and I know the Catholic and maybe the Methodist churches don't hold that view. In our creeds we profess one baptism for the remission of sins. Hopefuly, I've helped answer your questions. Sorry, with so many views on here I hope I didn't confuse you. As for those posters who don't favor the Christia religion, perhaps another topic should be started. Although I do think personal committment to Christ is critical regardless of denomination, I think baptism is an amazing sacrament. Even Jesus Christ was baptized and he was the son of God. Just something to think about.
n .
Whoa!!! Sorry for all the typos!
In my opinion, being submerged in water has nothing to do with whether or not your soul is "saved". It's not the rituals themselves that determine whether or not you are a good Christian. While I understand the symbolism behind being baptized, I don't believe that it is a necessity. If you feel that you need to be baptized, that's fine, but do it because you want to and not because someone else made you feel guilty about it.
I agree with those who said being a Christian means something that comes from being saved...it comes from the heart. Because someone can be baptised and confirmed but not consider themselves Christian. You consider yourself Christian therefore you are....
The Bible does ask us to be baptized, but I don't believe it's a salvation issue. Nor do I believe baptism alone saves us. For example, I was baptized in the Catholic church as a baby, but did not really come to know Christ until I was 15. So, if you're baptized, good for you, but if not, I wouldn't sweat it. I think God looks at the heart, not water.
To all who posted on this topic, thank you. I sincerely appreciated it. I am feeling quite disconnected from God these days, but that's probably a topic of it's own.
God does look at the heart.
Cory, just keep strong in your faith. I know it's easier said than done. But as my confirmation verse says quoting Jesus: "I will be with you always, even until the end of the age."