The first unbaptized Christian

[rockytopva]

The first unbaptized Christian

39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. - Luke 23

The second recorded unbaptized Christian...

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. - Acts 16:31

The requirements to become a Christian...

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. - Romans 10:8-10

And Paul was no big fan of Baptism....

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. - 1 Corinthians 1:17

 

[Adonia]

39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. - Luke 23

He didn't need to be baptized, he just got the word that he would see heaven by God Incarnate Himself, Jesus Christ. If He sys you're in, you are in!

Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. - Acts 16:31

Just because a baptism wasn't mentioned, does not mean it didn't happen. Not everything that happened was written down.

And Paul was no big fan of Baptism....

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. - 1 Corinthians 1:17

I just read that in the New Testament, baptism is mentioned 23 times while baptized is mentioned 59 times. If it is not needed, why was so much written about it?

 

[rockytopva]

I was Baptized in a Baptist baptistery and in a river. If the opportunity ever arose I would not mind being baptized in the Jordan River. But... I do not believe, baptism is conditional for salvation. If a church wants to make baptism conditional for joining their church, I am ok with that too.

 

[Adonia]

Acts 2:38 seems pretty straightforward: "....repent and be baptized....". I don't see where the Christian can opt out of this command by Christ.

 

[Zenas]

What you call the second unbaptized Christian didn't stay that way very long. "And immediately he and all his family were baptized." Acts 16:33. Notice it wasn't just the jailer. It was his whole family and it was immediately. Probably some young children in there.

Also, saying Paul was no big fan of baptism is just plain wrong. He thought it was so important that when he found some disciples at Ephesus who had not received the Holy Spirit, he immediately inquired as to what kind of baptism they had. That was his only inquiry. He didn't ask if they were believers, it was obvious they were because they were "disciples." When informed that it was the baptism of John, Paul immediately baptized them in the name of Jesus Christ, "And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them" Acts 19:6. These disciples didn't do anything but get themselves properly baptized.