Questions in this section
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Is baptism necessary to go to heaven?
No, baptism does not wash away your sins or save you for heaven (I Pet 3:21). Only the death and blood of Jesus Christ can wash away your sins to make you acceptable to God. Jesus offered His blood to God Himself for all the sins of all His people (Heb 9:12-15; Eph 1:3-7). Jesus told the thief on the cross that he would be in heaven later that day, though he was never baptized.
For further study about baptism:
Catechism about baptism: Catechism.
All the Bible teaches about baptism: Baptism. -
What are the qualifications for baptism?
A person must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the gospel news that He is the only Savior from sin (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:37; 2:38). He must repudiate his sins and turn from them to live a holy life according to the terms of the Bible (Acts 17:30; 20:21; 26:20). His conscience must be convinced of the truth of the gospel so that he is free from guilt for sin and fear of condemnation (I Pet 3:21). Since baptism is the first act of obedience to Jesus Christ and living a new life for Him, a person must understand the nature and costs of true discipleship.
For further study about baptism:
Catechism about baptism: Catechism.
All the Bible teaches about baptism: Baptism. -
Why do some churches baptize babies?
Because around the 3rd century they began making the terrible mistake of assuming that baptism saves. Many babies died in infancy and early childhood in those days, and since original sin is a Bible doctrine, they had to baptize babies to comfort mothers that their dying babies were saved, so they started baptizing babies. Those who could not accept infant baptism, invented the age of accountability to get all their babies into heaven. Both infant baptism and an age of accountability are heresies – beliefs that are contrary to the Bible.
For further study about baptism:
Catechism about baptism: Catechism.
All the Bible teaches about baptism: Baptism.