Do u have to be baptized to go to heaven?

[alimitoducks]

I was told once that if u don't get baptized, even if u believe n God, n do righ,t n even if its a child, then you won't go to heaven.  What do y'all think?

[vmi1991]

one should get bapitized to cleanse themselves of original sin. To answer your question, Jesus made clear that baptism is not required.

"TODAY YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE"
(Luke 23:43)

Jesus said this to penitent thief who asked Jesus to remember him when he came into His Kingdom.

So, you don't have to get baptized to go to heaven, but it is a very good idea to do so.

[alimitoducks]

Thx. I've gotten into very heated arguments about this. Don't know why someone would think that, especially when it comes to kids. O well, guess everyone believes what they wanna believe.

[gaylasue]

Baptism is not a requirement to get to heaven.  The only requirement is that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour for what He did on the Cross of Calvary.   Believers Baptism is an acknowledgement of the dedication of your life to serve Jesus Christ and to spread the Good Word to everyone.

[mtwano]

Baptism is referenced back to John the Baptist... this is a time when ONE wants to surrender their past life completely to God by cleansing their spirit in water... thus be Born Again.

John 3:3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]”

When Jesus said this, He's simply saying that you've chosen to surrender your life to Him...

He also said in John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

So, in addition to being born of water (Baptism)... ONE must be born of spirit... this refers to Jesus...

To go to heaven, the kingdom of God... is to accept Jesus as your Lord and savior (John 3:16). This is the first place any person should start...

Acknowledge Jesus, Believe in Him, and confess...

Everything else will come with understanding and fall through... like baptism.

If you want to accept Jesus as your Lord and savior and know him more, say this simple prayer (with a friend, or somewhere quiet)

"Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I ask forgiveness for my sins and receive you as my Savior and Lord. Thank you for giving me the gift of eternal life. I want to turn and live a new life with you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Jesus. Amen."

[jordandog]

This is one of those topics that gets me really heated. Why? Because of all the insane propaganda and out and out BS certain christians throw at people about this. It shouldn't concern me because I personally do NOT believe in heaven, hell, God or Jesus, but it does concern me when I hear people say they are soooo worried their children will burn forever because they didn't have them baptized. Then you have one poster (no longer coming into Debate & Discuss:D) who is adamant regarding this and claims you have to be baptized as an adult, NOT as a baby or child, and you also have to speak in tongues in order to be 'saved'.

You wouldn't believe some of the stories I could tell regarding my patients, many who are children, teens and young adults, who are on their deathbeds and all some of their family members are concerned with is the awful things that will happen when the person dies just because they aren't baptized! They do NOT care about the amount of pain and fear the person already has and, in most cases, has been dealing with both for years. They do NOT care that the person can hear them discussing all this as if they are not even there and the absolute most disgusting thing is hearing them threaten the person to 'repent' before it is too late. Where is the compassion in all this from these wonderful God fearing and obeying people? Nowhere to be found..... Getting off my soapbox now, I'm sure I have offended enough people already.

[ppv2]

In order to go to Heaven, Jesus wants you to trust in Him and accept Him as your Savior.  He died on the cross for your sins.  Baptism is a symbol of your trust in Him as your Savior and is a terrific step to take.  However, The Bible says that you must trust in Him as your Savior to go to Heaven.  Baptism is not required to get into Heaven, but is a wonderful symbol of faith.

[mh874892]

Like most have said, baptism is not required, but simply the acknowledgement that Jesus died for your sins and your acceptance of him as your personal savior. Some churches do teach that baptism (after a child's Christening) is required, but I think that is inaccurate.

[tartarsauce2008]

The Bible states that faith in God will get you to Heaven. That's all it told me!

[aisha46]

In the bible go to John.In there it talks about baptism.
Iam not sure as to reach heaven. I believed through faith, and the condition of the heart do you enter heaven.
if you accept Jesus Christ as your lord and savior.then your name is in the Lamb Book of life.

[bschumacher]

I can't stand it when people project their meaness onto God. Folks who scare others with that baptism nonsense are in for a big surpise when they get to the Great Beyond and God says, "What the &*%$ were you thinking when you upset people for nothing???"

[Falconer02]

"What the &*%$ were you thinking when you upset people for nothing???"

That's pretty much the whole problem that christians just don't understand when introducing their belief system.

[sigmapi1501]

I never get when people say "What Jesus did for us on the Cross"....

Not like it was his choice. He was captured and executed.   I'm sure if he had his drothers it would have gone down differently.

[mtmailey]

you should read the HOLY BIBLE KING JAMES 1611  new testament

[healthfreedom]

Baptism is an outer symbol of an inner spiritual operstion. However, it is NOT essential for salvation or to go to heaven.