If I am Saved, Do I Really Need to Be Baptized to go to Heaven?
- RD Montgomery
- May 23
- 4 min read
Updated: May 26
I get asked a version of this question often. If you have beliefs that align with the Baptist denomination, you may normally answer this with a quick no. However, that only answers the question. It is not dealing with the thought process that may make this question very concerning.
Anyone can claim to be a Christian by any criteria. In the US, many who say they are Christians are basing it on a lie. I know it is culturally considered off-limits to challenge someone's beliefs, but it is the loving thing to do, if they will allow it. So here is how I would normally try to answer this question:
Let's get the first part out of the way: water baptism is not required for salvation
The Bible makes it clear that salvation is a gift received by grace through faith, not through any human work or ritual. This is illustrated by the account of the thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43), who believed that Jesus was the promised King and was promised paradise, with no opportunity for baptism. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." These passages leave no doubt: salvation is a divine act, freely given and received through faith alone, entirely separate from the act of baptism.
Now let's look at the problem: why would any believer think they should skip it?
In the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20), Jesus commands His followers to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them." This makes it clear that baptism is an instruction from our Lord. We see this command put into immediate practice in the book of Acts, where new believers obeyed and were baptized shortly after accepting Christ. While a symbolic act, baptism serves as a profound public statement that a person has died to their sins and is now alive in Christ (Romans 6:11).
Did you mean it when you declared, "Jesus is Lord?"
(this is sometimes also expressed as: Giving Jesus the steering wheel of your life, surrendering to Jesus, giving your life to Jesus, making Him the boss of your life, inviting Jesus into your heart, accepting Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord)
When we confess with our mouth that "Jesus is Lord" and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we are promised salvation (Romans 10:9-10). This promise is the very foundation of our faith. The problem might be better understood if we change "Jesus is Lord" to what it also means, "Jesus is my King." When we declare Him as Lord, we are giving Him complete authority over our lives.
If Jesus is our Lord and King, shouldn't we obey Him about being baptized?
"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46)
Now before this starts sounding legalistic and harsh, remember that we wanted to be born again because of His sacrificial love for us. Our obedience to Him should also be rooted in love.
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15)
Following Christ
If He is truly our King, then His commands are not mere suggestions, but instructions for those who follow Him. Following Christ is how we repent (change direction).
Salvation requires a heart that wants to change. The change requires following Christ into His death, burial, and resurrection and beyond.
If you think that how much you obey Christ is up to you, how you feel, whether it is convenient right now, or how it aligns with your lifestyle and goals, you may not have ever taken the first step.
And he said to me, "Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day. 4 The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.' Ezekiel 2:3-4
In the above verse, impudent means that you are not showing respect and stubborn means you are refusing to change. These are attributes of someone who has not repented and not submitted to God's authority. I used these verses from the Old Testament to show that the message of repentance has been consistent.
The wrap-up
If you are looking for a loophole to avoid baptism, it doesn't mean you are not saved, but it is a bad sign. If you are not obeying, then you are disobeying. Perhaps your church or spiritual leaders didn't explain that baptism is one of the first steps of obedience. Maybe you got saved on your own and you haven't learned this yet. If so, I urge you to get baptized as soon as possible.
If some part of this is making you doubt that you are saved, please reach out to someone you can trust and have them explain it to you. Or use the Contact Us form at the bottom of the page and someone will get back to you.
One last note, if it is medically prohibited for you to be immersed in water, there are other ways to be symbolically baptized like pouring or sprinkling. Talk it over with your church.
Scripture used or considered in the writing of "If I am Saved, Do I Need to Be Baptized to go to Heaven?" By RD Montgomery. All Scripture quoted is in the ESV format unless otherwise specified.
Ezekiel 2:3-4
Matthew 3:8
Matthew 4:17
Matthew 28:19-20
Mark 6:7-13
Luke 23:39-43
John 3:1-21
John 14:15
Acts 2:38
Acts 3:19
Acts 8:35-38
Acts 22:16
Romans 6:11
Romans 10:9-10
Galatians 2:20
Ephesians 2:8-9
Colossians 1:13
Colossians 2:8-14
2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 7:10
1 John 2:3-4
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