Saturday, May 14, 2016

BAPTISM BY IMMERSION - Must I be baptised to go to heaven when I die?

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Must I be baptised to go to heaven when I die?
puricarefiles
What does the Bible say?
We can find Scriptures in the Bible that can be applied to this question.

We will look at two stories in the New Testament that will enable us to "reason" from the Word of God.

- Lazarus and the rich man
The first story is found in Luke chapter 16.  It is the account of the rich man and the beggar Lazarus.

"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried” (Luke 16:22).

No ceremony of baptism was mentioned that opened Abraham's bosom for this beggar.

This was before the Lord Jesus' death and resurrection. At that time, baptism was a rite practiced by the Old Testament Jews long before Jesus came to earth. 

John the Baptist’s baptism for the Jews was for repentance, and not for salvation.

As this was a story told by Jesus, would Jesus not have added information if it had been necessary for the beggar to be baptized to get to heaven?

Baptism by immersion in water in the New Testament signifies the identification of believers with the Lord Jesus Christ. It sets them apart from worldly life into the way of Christ, having died to sin and rose again into the newness of life offered by Christ in his Word – the Bible.

- The repentant criminal on the cross

The other story is of the criminal who was crucified together with Jesus on the cross.  The other malefactor railed against Jesus but this one had a change of heart.

"But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don't you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’

He said to the Lord, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise’" (Luke 23:40-43).

Notice that Jesus does not say “you will be with me after you are baptized.”

What Jesus said confirmed the truth in this Scripture:"absent in the body and present with the LORD" (2 Corinthians 5:8).

Conclusion
Water baptism is for identification and not salvation. Therefore it is not a requirement for entrance into heaven.

What then are required for believers to enter heaven?
The story of the criminal gives us the answer - he recognized that he was helpless, he needed a savior, repents and asks for grace.

The unlimited grace of Jesus’ finished work on the cross instantly transformed the eternal destiny of this sinner from condemnation to saving faith. That faith saves and gives the sinner entrance into eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

The repentant thief realized that his punishment was just. His only hope was the sinless character of Christ, whom he accepted that only Christ was able to save him.

This criminal received salvation because of his trust in God's grace through Christ.

All sinners today, in like manner, must recognize that God's anger and judgment for our sins is just, and that we cannot save ourselves.

"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 were required, it would be considered "works," which cannot in any way add to His grace.

We can choose to receive the gift of grace and mercy that God has made possible through the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the only requirement for salvation, and entrance into eternal life in heaven.
All we have to do is believe that Jesus died in our place and rose from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). We can be saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. 

We are declaring to God that we are relying on Jesus Christ as our Savior. There are no "magical" words that result in salvation. It is only faith in Jesus' death and resurrection that can save us.
If you acknowledge to God that you are a sinner and in need of salvation through Jesus Christ say this prayer.
"Father God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin.
However, right now, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior.
Lord Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I thank you that you have given me eternal life, and according to your Word, I am born again.
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit that is in me now. I surrender my life to you. Use me for your glory.
Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen"

  “There is power in the blood”     Lewis E. Jones


lyrics
Would you be free from your burden of sin?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood
Would you o'er evil the victory win?
There's wonderful power in the blood

Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood
Sin stains are lost in its life-giving flow
There's wonderful power in the blood

There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the blood of the Lamb
There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb

Would you do service for Jesus, your King?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood
Would you live daily His praises to sing?
There's wonderful power in the blood

There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the blood of the Lamb
There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb

Power, power, wonder-working power
In the blood of the Lamb
There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb

Lord, how we need Your power
Every day and every hour
Lord, how we need Your power
Every day and every hour

Lord, how we need Your power
Every day and every hour
Lord, how we need Your

Power, power, wonder-working power
In the blood of the Lamb
There is power, power, wonder-working power
In the precious blood of the Lamb

In the precious blood of the Lamb
In the precious blood of the Lamb

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