~ A place to find answers to gnawing spiritual questions ~
Question: Can I be saved before water baptism?Answer: Jesus said to the thief on the cross. "Today shalt thou be with me in paradise" (Lk 23:43). He had no opportunity to be baptized. If baptism in water was necessary to be "saved" then he did not make it to heaven, and Jesus would have not told the truth here. To arrive at truth we must take all scriptures together including the one you quoted in Mark 16:16.
In the scriptures baptism always followed repentance and faith. We are "saved" by grace through faith. It is not of works lest any man should boast. That is not to say that baptism is not essential nor important. Peter taught that baptism does not save us, but is an answer of a good conscience toward God.
The household of Cornelius received the baptism in the Holy Ghost as they heard Peter preach before they were baptized in water. They heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter said, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" (Acts 10:44-48).
- If a person confessed Christ as his saviour but never got the chance to be baptized, did he still go to hell?
- Can I be saved before water baptism?
- Is water baptism required for salvation?
Additional Resources
- Baptism and the Lord's Supper by Richard W. DeHaan (online resource)
- Infant Baptism, Age of Accountability, Dedication of Children - Assemblies of God Beliefs
- Is baptism necessary for salvation? by Dan Vander Lugt (online resource)
- Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible by Myer Pearlman
- School of Salvation - Regeneration by J. George Cover (online resource)
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