Do believers need to be baptized to be saved?

The Bible shows us by example that every believer when possible was baptized (the one Bible example of exclusion is the thief on the cross)

If I don’t get baptized am I saved?

We are not saved by water baptism so not being baptized cannot negate our salvation. But there is a more important question to be answered. Why would you not want to be baptized when it tells us we should! So it really is a matter of motive- to obey or not to obey.

Baptism saves no one; the Bible proves this in numerous ways. Some were baptized and still did not have the down payment of the Spirit to be saved.

(Paul)  Acts 19:3-7 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." (Johns was a water baptism of repentance to prepare for the Messiah)  V. 4 “Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.”

Acts 8:12-18  “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized.”

V.14 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

Both of these people groups needed the apostles to be there and approve of their salvation, then receive the Holy Spirit.

1 Cor 1:17: “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, … he then makes it clear  v.18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

So baptizing was not equated with the gospel preached to save people from their sins.  Paul says what the gospel is later on in this same letter:

1 Cor 15:1-4: “ Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,  by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-- unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures”

The whole Bible proclaims a blood sacrifice for sin, this is God’s provision “without shedding of blood is NO remission of sin" Hebrews 9:22

Jesus said "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" Matthew 26:28

Redemption, and the forgiveness of sins comes only from the blood of Jesus

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7)

Eph. 1:11-14: “… we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”

Rom 8:9 But “you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”

Rom 8:16: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God”

We receive the spirit when we believe the gospel- this is what regenerates us to be a new creature:

 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; (2 Cor. 5:17). This why Paul said

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation” (Gal 6:15)

We are taught (by grace you have been saved) (Eph 2:5). Eph 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Eph 3:17-19: “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith”

Paul tells the church to “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?-- unless indeed you are disqualified.” (2 Cor. 13:5).

It is faith that must be present, he does not ask one to question their baptism.

 If you want to be an obedient Christian you will be baptized, you will also read and study the word, you will fellowship with other believers and you will love people- pray and witness.