Do you have to be baptised to go to heaven?

Jesus instruction:   Matthew 28:19, 20.     John 3:5.

People have all sorts of ideas;
        ‘Getting the kids “done,”’
        in oil,
        petals,
        sprinkling,
        pouring,
        over the phone ...

What is meant by “baptism”?
The word “baptism” comes from the greek “BAPTIZO”:  to dip, immerse, submerge.  It was used among the Greeks to signify the dying of a garment, the drawing of water by dipping a vessel into another.

Bible descriptions of baptism

Jesus.  Matthew 3:13-17   Jesus came up out of the water.  Coming up
   implies a going down.
John the Baptist.   John 3:23   Needed plenty of water.
Philip.   Acts 8:36-39       Philip and the man being baptised both went
   down into the water.  Both came up out of the water.

Baptism symbolises:

Washing away of sin. Acts 22:16
Jesus death, burial and resurrection for me. Romans 6:3-6

Baptism is for the Christian what a wedding is for a Family

Culmination of a “getting to know you” period with a time of public     commitment.
Entered into thoughtfully and with understanding of what is involved.
Learning how to please
Both involve leaving ...  and joining ...

Preparation for baptism

Instruction      Matthew 28:19,20
Faith              Mark 16:16
Repentance    Acts 2:38

 On this basis, when should a person be baptised?

  What happens at Baptism?

Baptised into the body.       1 Corinthians 12:13
        What is the body?       Colossians 1:18
Receive the Holy Spirit.
        Jesus baptism.            Matthew 3:16, 17
        Pentecost.                  Acts 2:38
Jesus is our example.         1 Peter 2:21  
 

Copyright K. Bird   ©2004