Is Baptism a Christian requirement?

[Jimmy_B]

Is Baptism a Christian requirement?

As a Catholic, I know that persons can be baptized by Water, Blood and by Desire. I also know that many Protestant, non-Catholic Christians believe that Baptism is a Christian requirement. My question here is, of those non-Catholic Christians who don’t believe that Baptism is required to become a Christian - Why isn’t it a requirement? And, for those who believe that Baptism is a Christian requirement - Why is it a requirement?

Matthew 28:18,19
Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
1 Peter 3:21
This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God 7 for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Romans 6:4
We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.
Colossians 2:12
You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

Catechism of the Catholic Church
**1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are “reborn of water and the Spirit.” God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.
1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”
1267 **Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ: “Therefore . . . we are members one of another.” Baptism incorporates us into the Church. From the baptismal fonts is born the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or human limits of nations, cultures, races, and sexes: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.”

Here, Catechism search results for -“baptism”

 

[TriuneUnity]

Is Baptism a Christian requirement?

As a Catholic, I know that persons can be baptized by Water, Blood and by Desire. I also know that many Protestant, non-Catholic Christians believe that Baptism is a Christian requirement. My question here is, of those non-Catholic Christians who don’t believe that Baptism is required to become a Christian - Why isn’t it a requirement? And, for those who believe that Baptism is a Christian requirement - Why is it a requirement?

Matthew 28:18,19
Then Jesus approached and said to them, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
1 Peter 3:21
This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God 7 for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Romans 6:4
We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life.
Colossians 2:12
You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

Catechism of the Catholic Church
**1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are “reborn of water and the Spirit.” God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.
1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit (vitae spiritualis ianua), and the door which gives access to the other sacraments. Through Baptism we are freed from sin and reborn as sons of God; we become members of Christ, are incorporated into the Church and made sharers in her mission: “Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration through water in the word.”
1267 **Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ: “Therefore . . . we are members one of another.” Baptism incorporates us into the Church. From the baptismal fonts is born the one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or human limits of nations, cultures, races, and sexes: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.”

Here, Catechism search results for -“baptism”

We do not believe that Baptism is ABSOLUTELY necessary for salvation. The thief on the cross was saved (apparently without Baptism), as were all true believers in the Old Testament era. Mark 16:16 implies that it is not the absence of Baptism that condemns a person but the absence of faith, and there are clearly other ways of coming to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit (reading or hearing the Word of God). God is not bound strictly by the Sacrament. Still, Baptism dare not be despised or willfully neglected, since it is explicitly commanded by God and has His precious promises attached to it. It is not a mere “ritual” or “symbol,” but a powerful means of grace by which God grants faith and the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, as such a commandment, it is normally required, as its absence would be evidence of an absence of faith.

 

[Jimmy_B]

We do not believe that Baptism is ABSOLUTELY necessary for salvation. The thief on the cross was saved (apparently without Baptism), as were all true believers in the Old Testament era. Mark 16:16 implies that it is not the absence of Baptism that condemns a person but the absence of faith, and there are clearly other ways of coming to faith by the power of the Holy Spirit (reading or hearing the Word of God). God is not bound strictly by the Sacrament. Still, Baptism dare not be despised or willfully neglected, since it is explicitly commanded by God and has His precious promises attached to it. It is not a mere “ritual” or “symbol,” but a powerful means of grace by which God grants faith and the forgiveness of sins. Therefore, as such a commandment, it is normally required, as its absence would be evidence of an absence of faith.

Catholics believe that the Thief on the Cross was Baptized, he was Baptized by Desire…Don’t Lutherans have a similar belief?

“If baptism by water is impossible, it may be replaced by the baptism of desire or by the baptism of blood…”

“Baptism of desire works ex opere operantis. It bestows Sanctifying Grace, which remits original sin, all actual sins, and the eternal punishments for sin…”

“Baptism of blood signifies martyrdom of an umbaptised (un-baptized) person, that is, the patient bearing of a violent death or of an assault which of its nature leads to death, by reason of one’s confession of the Christian faith, or one’s practice of Christian virtue…”

More here, EWTN article by Fr. John Hardon

Catechism of the Catholic Church
**1258 The Church has always held the firm conviction that those who suffer death for the sake of the faith without having received Baptism are baptized by their death for and with Christ. This Baptism of blood, like the desire for Baptism, brings about the fruits of Baptism without being a sacrament.
1259 **For *catechumens *who die before their Baptism, their explicit desire to receive it, together with repentance for their sins, and charity, assures them the salvation that they were not able to receive through the sacrament.

 

[TriuneUnity]

Catholics believe that the Thief on the Cross was Baptized, he was Baptized by Desire…Don’t Lutherans have a similar belief?

Yes. We just wouldn’t call it Baptism. The effect would be the same (the new birth), just a different means.

 

[Publisher]

Friends accept that there is an essential baptism…baptism with the Holy Spirit is the True Baptism which brings us into union with God in Christ…any “outward” initiatory religious ritual is not necessary to receive the grace and mercy of God in Christ.

Understand what you all believe about the Bible passages you would quote…but just as those first disciples continued practicing some Jewish rituals after Christ such as going to the Temple, circumcision, kosher food and the “mikva” which John practiced in the Jordan…in Christ all such ritual cleansings have been fulfilled.

 

[SpiritusSanctus]

Of course it is a requirement! As you stated, it is necessary for salvation. Our Lord states that one cannot enter the kingdom of God without being baptized.

 

[aball1035]

The Catholic Church teaches that one MUST be baptized in order to enter Heaven. It’s a must. There are however, different ways of recieving Baptism (Baptism of blood, or desire other than normal baptism)