Whether you’re new to faith or have been following Jesus for a long time, the topic of baptism can be pretty confusing. Different churches perform baptism differently – and talk differently about it too! Oftentimes it leaves one question unanswered: “Do you have to be baptized to go to heaven?”
Baptism is an important step for followers of Jesus, and the Bible gives us clear direction on what baptism is, why we’re called to it, and whether or not it determines our salvation.
Salvation is actually an important place to start, so let’s take a closer look.
What does the Bible say about salvation?
All our sins—our mistakes, imperfections, and shortcomings—create a gap between us and God. Salvation is how God restores our relationship with himself and forgives us for the ways we’ve gone against the good things he wants for us.
He did this by sending his Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. By believing that Jesus is who he says he is, that his death paid the penalty for our sins, and that he rose from the dead to return to Heaven, you can receive salvation!
That’s how we receive salvation – not by doing enough good things or trying to be “Christian” enough. It’s only through Jesus that we are saved.
The apostle Paul explains in Ephesians 2:8-9: "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."
The thief on the cross
There’s a powerful encounter with Jesus recorded in the Bible that illustrates the power of salvation even further. When Jesus was on the cross, dying, he had a brief conversation with a thief who was crucified next to him. The thief realized who Jesus was and gave him one simple request: “remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus knew this man’s past. He knew he would never have the chance to turn his life around, because his life was about to end. But he recognized this man’s faith, and for that reason alone he replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43)
So, what does this mean for us? A thief, who had no opportunity to right the mistakes he’d made throughout his life (let alone get baptized!) could receive salvation from Jesus. That means nothing we do in our lives can substitute for trusting Jesus as our Savior. That includes getting baptized.
So, what is the purpose of baptism?
If we’re only saved by grace through faith in Jesus, what is the purpose of baptism? In 2 Corinthians 5:17, the apostle Paul explains, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Since we are made new in Jesus, baptism is a public declaration that we belong to Jesus. It’s a deeply symbolic act that represents what Jesus did for us. Romans 6:4 says “we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”
When you get baptized, you are physically submerged under water, symbolizing the death of your old self. When you come back up, it symbolizes your past self being washed away. This is a powerful reminder that through faith in Jesus, our sins are forgiven, and we are transformed into a new person in Christ. Baptism represents dying to sin and being raised to new life, and doing it publicly declares to others that we are lives changed by Christ!
Notice we’ve used words like “symbolizes” and “represents.” That’s because only Jesus can change your heart and the trajectory of your eternity. Baptism does not cause salvation; it’s in response to salvation.
Do you have to be baptized to go to heaven?
Since baptism is a symbolic act, and doesn't cause salvation, it isn’t required to go to heaven. Like the thief on the cross, all it takes is trusting Jesus as your Savior and receiving the gift of forgiveness.
But baptism is still an act of obedience – one we’re called to in Acts 2:38. However, it’s not for the purpose of salvation, but for the purpose of sharing our faith with others and introducing more people to Jesus!
What if I was baptized as a baby?
It’s common for some churches to baptize babies. (Maybe you were baptized as a baby yourself!) But when you look at what the Bible says, baptism is meant to be a personal step of obedience for anyone who’s chosen to put their faith in Jesus.
Infant baptism is a decision parents make for their children, but God wants a personal relationship with each of us. So, when you’re old enough to understand that Jesus died for your sins, you get to make that choice for yourself.
What about verses that link baptism to salvation?
One verse that often comes up in this conversation is:
“Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:16
At first glance, it might seem like baptism is required for salvation. But it’s important to look at the greater context of Scripture.
Over and over again, the Bible emphasizes that salvation comes through belief in Jesus alone. For example, John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” If baptism were required, verses like this—and many others—would be presenting an incomplete picture of salvation.
In Mark 16:16, Jesus affirms the importance of belief, and he mentions baptism as a natural response that would follow. The second part of the verse focuses on unbelief as the reason for condemnation, not the absence of baptism. This suggests that Jesus assumes those who truly believe in him would also choose to be baptized—not as a requirement for salvation, but as an act of obedience and identification with him.
Baptism is important—it’s a clear next step for every follower of Jesus. But it doesn’t save us. As Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us: “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
Have you been baptized?
If you’ve trusted Jesus as your Savior, baptism is for you! If you’re thinking about taking this step and sharing your faith publicly, we’d love to talk to you!
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What else does the Bible have to say about baptism? Take a closer look.
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