Do you have to be baptized to go to heaven?

Question:

Does a born again child of God HAVE to be baptized in order to go to heaven?

Answer:

Luke 23:39-43 says, “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, TO DAY SHALT THOU BE WITH ME IN PARADISE.” The repentant thief on the cross had no way to get baptized, and Jesus told him that he would be with Him in paradise (heaven), that same day. So the answer to your question is “No, a person does not have to be baptized to go to heaven.”Continue reading

What is the importance of baptism?

Question:

What is the importance of baptism in a person’s salvation?

Answer:

Baptism is the first command AFTER a person is saved. Acts 2:41 says, “Then they that gladly received his word were BAPTIZED: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 10:47,48 says, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And HE COMMANDED THEM TO BE BAPTIZED in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” In the Great Commission, Jesus commanded that we baptize. Matthew 28:18-20 says, “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, BAPTIZING THEM in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”Continue reading

Was there baptism before Christ?

Question:

In my Bible study we are in the book of John. The question is, was there baptism before Christ? And if so, where does this occur?

Answer:

The first time baptism is mentioned in Scripture, is when John the Baptist began his ministry. Matthew 3:4-6 says, “And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.”

Although some outside sources claim that the Jews practiced baptism before this, there is never a word mentioned of it in the entire Old Testament.

What does it mean to be “baptized for the dead?”

Question:

Could you please explain 1 Corinthians 15:29 to me. I am not long saved 21.03.09, and I am a bit confused on this baptism for the dead.

Answer:

1 Corinthians 15:29 says, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?”Continue reading