Is Baptism Necessary for Heaven According to Easten Theology?

[wjp984]

Of course Baptism is essential since along with Chrismation it allows for the Holy Spirit to dwell in us again. However, as I have read these forums lately and the difference in the understanding of Original Sin between the East and West, if the result of Original Sin is a physical death and not necessarily the stain of sin at birth, could one more easily enter Heaven without being baptized under this belief?

For example, rather than not knowing and hoping for the best in God’s mercy, would it be safe to say that according to the East, an unbaptized baby or one not yet born, who dies before baptism, would be otherwise free from sin and therefore go straight to Heaven?

 

[Chaldean_Rite]

Of course Baptism is required.

As for those unbaptised babies, the Church has not spoken on this matter and as it says in the Catechsim, are entrusted to the Mercy of the Lord.

 

[wjp984]

I know baptism is required but according to the Eastern understanding of Original Sin, which I actually like better, is it easier to believe that one can go to Heaven without baptism?

If the reason the unbaptized supposedly can not enter Heaven is do to the stain of orginal sin, and the East do not believe one has a stain of orginal sin at birth but more so the fact that everyone dies a physical death, then would it be safe to make the inference that Baptism is not an absolute perequisite to Heaven. I am not saying it is not essential.

 

[Peter_J]

Can an unbaptized baby go to heaven? I think there’s more than one opinion on this in the East, just as there’s more than one opinion on it in the West.

 

[bpbasilphx]

Some Eastern (including Orthodox) have offered Baptism of desire and Baptism of blood as alternatives.

So far as I know the earliest example of the Baptism of blood is the soldier-martyr Polyevchtos.

 

[wjp984]

I think I phrased my question wrong. Basically, I made an inference that because the Eastern Concept of Original Sin does not invole the stain of sin but rather the fact that we will all die a physical death, then Baptism, though essential, would not be an absolute perequisite to Heaven since one is not stained at birth and in need of Baptism to eliminate this sin so they can go to Heaven. I am just wondering if I am making a correct inference and not something heretical. I like the inference I just made and want to believe it. I hope this made the question more clear and I appreciate responses. Thanks.

 

[SedesDomi]

I think I phrased my question wrong. Basically, I made an inference that because the Eastern Concept of Original Sin does not involed the stain of sin but rather the fact that we will all die a phyiscal death, then Baptism, thoughs essential, would not be an absolute perequisite to Heaven since one is not stained at birth and in need of Baptism to eliminate this sin so they can go to Heaven. I am just wondering if I am making a correct inference and not something heretical. I like the inference I just made and want to believe it.

I’ve heard Orthodox say that the only “need” for Baptism is because Jesus commanded it. The Latin theological foundation for baptism would then just be an extraneous reason, not a necessary part of the equation. Jesus commanded it, so it is done. How exactly baptism relates to one’s tendency to sin – well, it certainly wouldn’t increase it.