Do you need to be baptized to be a christian?

Answer 1

No, but a strong Christian would make sure he/she is baptized. Baptism symbolizes a Christian's death, burial, and resurrection just as Christ was crucified, buried, and raised to life again. If baptism was only for strong Christians or when you were perfect, no-one would be baptized. Brand new believers are commanded to be baptized, and you can't get much weaker than that:-

Mat 28:18-20 KJV And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [v. 19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing themin the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [v. 20] Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Act 2:37-41 KJV Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? [v. 38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. [v. 39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. [v. 40] And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. [v. 41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Baptism symbolizes a Christian's death, burial, and resurrection:-

Rom 6:1-7 KJV What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [v. 2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? [v. 3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [v. 4] Therefore we areburied with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [v. 5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [v. 6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. [v. 7] For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Col 2:12 KJV Buried with him in baptism,wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

However, not being baptized is not that important because it is only an outward sign of a repentant heart. Just as the repentant thief on the cross physically couldn't be baptized but will still be in heaven, if you cannot be baptized for some reason (eg medical, lack of water, prison, circumstances), this does not stop you becoming a Christian: otherwise baptism becomes just another ritual. God commands us to get baptized after we are saved.

Answer 2

No, you do not have to be baptized to be a Christian. in order to be a Christian, all you have to do is believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died to save you and rose again just as he said he would. you also have to realize that everyone is a sinner and repent of your sins. That's it! Baptism is just a symbol of a person's faith in Christ.

Answer 3

nope.not at all. : )