Is Baptism Necessary?

[revivalexplosion]

Yes ! Baptism is an ordinance along with the Lord’s holy communion !

[ewaldspanner]

Yes ! Absolutely true ! Thank you, Dr.Brown !

[kathleennorton]

I was baptized in my local Church. When I was baptized we were allowed to say something first. I quoted the verse about go out into all the world and preach the Gospel.
Completely unexpectedly, as I was coming up out of the water, my heart became on fire with God's love, burning in it as an intense, beautiful flame. It was indescribable and nearly overcoming. The closest thing I can liken it to is the pictures of Jesus with a flaming heart Catholics often have in their homes. I'm not Catholic.
There was a quiet, but very real change in my life after baptism. I noticed for weeks, a kind of subtle light or brightness and a perception of peace and happiness.
Has this happened to anyone else?

[randalwdeese]

There is no scripture in the New testament that states that baptism is merely symbolic

[fernandoperez]

To those who say baptism is a work understand that baptism isn't a work b/c the whole thing is passive and one submits to the person doing the baptizing. You don't do anything but something is done to you by another. Just like when we celebrate the Lord's supper we do nothing but in faith receive.

Remember baptism is what is prescribed (Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38). It saves us(1 Peter 3:21) and washes away our sins (Acts 22:16). It buries the old man so that we too can be resurrected like Christ (Roman's 6:1-10). Sure if you repent and as you cross the road to be baptized, in a pool across the street and are struck dead by a truck you will be saved, because it's the repentance and faith in baptism that saves. However, our Lord has proscribed us to submit ourselves to baptism so just obey! In baptism like circumcision God has given us a sign of the covenant and one with promises (Colossians 2:11-12).

[javierchicas]

AMENN YOU ARE A TEACHER OF THE WORD OF GOD THANK YOU SO MUCH

[WiiFan-]

Yes, yes, and yes. The Most High is alone truly righteous! Amen.

[thetachmoniteb]

Part 1
On the 0:08 second mark Dr. Brown said "No, the Bible does not say you are not saved until you are baptized...you are not born again until you are baptized that is not what scripture teaches...Baptism ties in with our salvation"

This last part is what is obvious in scripture that baptism according to Jesus and his followers are essential, it does saves coupling with faith.

I acknowledge that Dr. Brown did say "Yes, baptism is necessary and it was commanded"

I object to Dr. Brown telling folks that NO the Bible does not say you are not saved until you are baptized. Yet, that is what scriptures does teach.

I don't believe that water IN AND OF IT SELF saves or does anything. However, the lord did command us to be baptized in Matthew 28:19 and Mark 16:16 He that believes (#1 have faith) and is baptized (#2 be baptized in water) SHALL BE SAVED. Also, water baptism does have spiritual significance. 

Hebrew 6 Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, 2 teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. It is pivotal for us to first know the elementary truths first before going on to strong meat. 

If we build our foundation incorrectly, then our house is on sand or on a shaky foundation and not on Jesus teaching.(Matthew 7:24-27a wise Man or a foolish man's foundation)

Lets consider the elementary instructions about Christ since most preachers erroneous get the first and most important message wrong which is salvation/gospel and or the good news. Here are the 5 things established by Jesus Christ in Hebrews 6:1-2 

Below, I mainly stuck to Jesus Christ teaching this very foundation after his death. Due to this being about water baptism, I did include the Apostles teaching on #3. There are 6 elementary truths of Christ's teaching, however, I will discuss 1-3 since the topic is about baptism is necessary and essential, according to Dr. Brown, but it does not save you which I disagree.

Jesus Christ the Lord taught about repentance, faith in God which is faith in God the father and in himself, and doctrine or teaching of baptisms. 

#1 repentance from dead works or to repent (Luke 13:1-5;Luke 24:47; Mark 6:12.etc),

 #2 and faith in God (John 3:16; John 6:29, 35;John 9:35-37; John 11:25-27&28; john 14:1; john17:20),  

#3 teaching about baptisms WATER BAPTISM JESUS CHRIST COMMANDED US TO GET BAPTIZED (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15, 16; John 3:3, 5). If someone say, well thats only two verse, my RESPONSE IS HOW MANY TIMES THE WORD MESSIAH APPEARS IN THE O.T.???? INDEED, ONLY ONCE IN DANIEL 9. If it’s once or more, its in scripture and it’s important. 

HERE ARE THE APOSTLES preaching and teaching on the subject: BAPTISM (Acts 2:38; Acts 8:12-16; Acts 8:26-36-38; Acts 16:14, 15; Acts 16:30-33; Acts 18:5-8; Acts 19:1-3, 4-5; Paul Baptism Acts 9:1-6, 10-16, 17, 18; Acts 22:13-16; Romans 6:1-8; Titus 3:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 1:13-16 (I explained verse 17 above, Paul was dealing with carnal Corinthians divided and had contentions. Paul did baptized people); 1 Corinthians 10:1-2 We are now baptized into Christ; Galatians 3:26, 27; Colossians 2:11-12, 13 verse quickened together with him ties with Ephesians 2:5 hath quickened us together with Christ by being BURIED WITH HIM by BAPTISM with CHRIST then are RESURRECTED up with CHRIST too, those who were BAPTIZED; Ephesians 4:5; Hebrews 10:22)

There is the Spirit Baptism (John 16:16, 17; Luke 3:16; Acts 1:4, 5; 1 corinthians 12:13), Fire Baptism (being immersed in hell fire) (Matt 5:22; Matthew 13:30, 42, 50; Matthew 25:41; Isaiah66:24 ties in with Mark 9:43-49; Revelation 20:10, 12-15.), Baptized in Suffering partake with Christ’s sufferings (Matthew 20:20-23; Mark 10:38-40; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 4:12-14; 2 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Corinthians 4:10; 1 Peter 5:1, 10; & Revelation 1:9)

[johnritter]

People need to be wiser when it comes to the use of language. Here's my point. Just because someone can ask a question: "Is baptism necessary?" it does not follow that it is a question that should be accepted for response. Once you've agreed to play along, you have a problem ... you now have to answer along legalistic lines of argumentation ... a guarantee that grace is already extinguished.
The proper response to the question: "Is baptism necessary?" is: "That is an absurdly inappropriate question. It demonstrates that you do not understand the grace of God. It's not that you've GOT to be baptized ... you GET to be baptized and demonstrate to your Lord, Jesus, and your fellow Christians that you are thrilled by the opportunity to enter into eternal life free of charge.
The question: "Is baptism necessary?" is like asking if you must chew and swallow when a delicious piece of chocolate candy has been placed, free of charge, in your mouth; do I have to accept ownership of this vintage 1956 Corvette my neighbor wants to give me; do I have to open my Christmas present just because my name is on it --- get it yet? Let us stop insulted the Lord with our stupid questions.

[TRUSTJESUS]

Being baptized is a true blessing. It is a great experience between you and the Lord. If you never done it, you should.

[timsmith]

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;

[trebmaster]

Acts 22:16 says Paul "wash[ed] away [his] sins" concurrently with Ananias' instruction for baptism. Was Paul converted on the road to Damascus months before -or at this scene Paul recounts in Acts 22? Well, either Ananias was wrong about Saul/Paul's salvation, or his faith was not made complete until this exact moment without what Ananias said to do: "Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name".

Calling on His name is concurrent with baptism in the verse too, and Romans 10:13 says "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

But if you're thinking a single verse or series of isolated passages can be twisted -and that is a fair point (looking at hyper-Calvinism)-, read an entire chapter like Romans 6 and see all the promises connected to baptism. Look at Acts 8 with the baptism of Simon the sorcerer and more notably, the Ethiopian Eunuch whose baptism specifically mentions the immersion in water aspect. Philip "preached Jesus to Him" and his immediate response was "what hinders me from being baptized?". That's not a coincidence that those verses are in such proximity. 1 Peter 3:21 refers to the salvific nature of baptism directly and even says it is "through water" that Noah's family was also correspondingly saved.
Mark 16:16 argues it, and when cross-referenced with other gospel accounts of the great commission, suggests strongly that it is part of what makes one a disciple of Christ. You also have Colossians 2:11-13, Galatians 3:26-28, maybe John 3:5 (jury is out on that one), and all the conversions in the book of Acts.

I think the arguments for baptism -being the more likely point at which a person is saved and must be done FOR that purpose- are rather...water-tight, pun intended!

[kristophstjames]

Paul said: For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: The thief on the cross asked Jesus to simply remember me when you enter into your kingdom- Jesus didn't require him to be baptized. Salvation is a person, nothing to do with water.

[murkywaterbeats]

I thought to be baptized by the Ruach was what was happening after Jesus came. John baptized in water and I believe he said there would be one who comes after him who baptizes by the Ruach… which made the thief on the cross make sense to me, since he could not be baptized by water up on his cross, but would still have salvation for his Faith in Yeshua.

[SpotterVideo]

Which of the Two Baptisms is required for salvation?

Water baptism was a part of the Old Covenant system of ritual washing. The Old Covenant priests had to wash before beginning their service in the temple. When Christ was water baptized by His cousin John in the Jordan River, He was under the Old Covenant system. He also only ate certain foods, as prescribed by the Old Covenant. Christ was water baptized by John and then received the Holy Spirit from heaven. The order is reversed in the New Covenant. A person receives the Holy Spirit upon conversion, and then believers often declare their conversion to their friends and family through a New Covenant water baptism ceremony.

The conversion process is described below.

Eph 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

(A person must “hear” the Gospel, and “believe” the Gospel, and will then be “sealed” with the Holy Spirit.)



Which baptism is a part of the salvation process, based on what the Bible says?
What did Peter say below?

Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.


Based on Luke 3:16, and John 1:33, and Acts 11:15-16, the most important thing about the word "baptize" in the New Testament has nothing to do with water. The Holy Spirit is the master teacher promised to New Covenant believers in Jeremiah 31:34, and John 14:26, and is found fulfilled in Ephesians 1:13, and 1 John 2:27. Unfortunately, many modern Christians see water when they read the word "baptize" in the text.

Based on the above, what is the one baptism of our faith found in the passage below? How many times is the word "Spirit" found in the passage, and how many times is the word "water" found in the passage?

Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Eph 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (See 1 Cor. 12:13)

“baptize” KJV

Mat_3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Mar_1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Water or Holy Spirit?, See Eph. 1-13.)

Luk_3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Joh_1:26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;

Joh_1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

1Co_1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (See Eph. 4:1-5)


How many people have been saved by the Old Covenant water baptism of John the Baptist?

Who did John the Baptist say is the greatest Baptist that ever lived in Luke 3:16? What kind of New Covenant baptism comes from Christ?

New Covenant water baptism is a beautiful ceremony which allows new believers to declare their conversion to the whole world.

[RoseThistleArtworks]

Repentance is required. Ezekiel 18 KJV and 2 Peter 3:9 KJV

[FRN]

Amen, Dr Brown!


The Church generally does not do a good job urging people to be baptized.


Throughout the book of Acts, we read about thousands of conversions. In every case, they were baptized on the same day they professed faith in Christ.


Good people disagree on whether conversion happens at baptism. I’m not going to weigh in on that here … because in a very practical sense, it doesn’t matter.
If you believe conversion happens at baptism, naturally you’re going to urge people to be baptized ASAP.
If you believe conversion happens before baptism, you should urge people to be baptized ASAP, because that’s clearly what Peter and Paul did to thousands of people and in many instances (see the passages listed below).


If someone professes faith in Jesus, and you show him/her that God commands baptism, yet that person refuses to be baptized, IMHO that person has not repented.
I think the reason so many don’t urge baptism ASAP is that deep down inside, they know a lot of folks who profess faith would refuse baptism, at least for a while, until they've had a long time to consider it.


Again, Peter and Paul urged *lost people* to be baptized ASAP.
Not one week goes by in which I don’t urge people to be baptized ASAP.
Do you urge people to be baptized ASAP?


“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” … Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. -- Acts 2:38, 41


But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw. -- Acts 8:12-13


Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. -- Acts 8:35-38


Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized -- Acts 9:18


While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. -- Acts 10:44-48


The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, ” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us. -- Acts 16:14-15


They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. -- Acts 16:31-33


Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized. -- Acts 18:8


On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. -- Acts 19:5


And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name. -- Acts 22:16

[danielfriedemann]

Acts 2:38 repentance and baptism are required for remission of sins

[kenttilson]

The thief on the cross was not baptized, does that mean he was not saved?

[kathleennorton]

Baptism tells the world you believe.
It is where the material world meets the spiritual.
Jesus became flesh and His flesh He baptised.