Do You Have to Be Baptized to Go to Heaven?

In the Christian world, requirements to get to heaven tend to vary depending upon whose interpretation of the scriptures (mixed with some tradition and other inputs) you’re using. I’m going to discuss the topic of whether you have to be baptized to get to heaven, and I’ll use several scriptures from the New Testament to explain why baptism is such a critical aspect of receiving salvation

The short answer to the question about whether a person needs to be baptized to get to heaven is: Yes, baptism is necessary to get into heaven.

That answer may surprise some people. Others, typically those who are more familiar with the scriptures, likely understand that baptism is necessary to get into heaven, but they may have questions about “logistics” surrounding the requirement to be baptized. One common question asked by many Christians is this, “How can God be just and merciful while requiring baptism of everyone, when so many people who have lived on this earth have never had that opportunity?”

That’s a fair question. The answer is actually relatively simple. I’ll answer it in a bit.

Now let’s get into the details about the purpose of baptism, what Jesus taught about it, and why it is necessary to enter heaven.

Jesus’ Teachings About Baptism in the New Testament

The Savior spoke a lot about baptism during his mortal ministry. Let’s take a look at his attitude and teachings regarding baptism.

Jesus’ Own Baptism by John the Baptist

When Jesus began his ministry, one of the first things he did was make the trip from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized by John the Baptist. It is estimated that he walked approximately 70 miles to meet John, who was baptizing people in the Jordan River, to receive that ordinance.

John, understanding that Jesus was perfect and had no need of being “baptized unto repentance” as others did who were coming to John, was reluctant to baptize the Messiah. Addressing John’s concern, Jesus told him, “Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.”

Upon completion of the baptism, confirmation was sent from heaven, where the voice of God the Father was heard in approval of what had taken place: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus Instructing Nicodemus

Another instance that illustrates the necessity of baptism involved a conversation between Jesus Christ and Nicodemus, a Jewish leader who secretly came to Jesus believing that he was “a teacher come from God.” Discussing the requirements for entering the kingdom of God with Nicodemus, Jesus made this statement as a clarification of what he meant when he told Nicodemus that a person must be “born again” to see the kingdom of God.

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

From the context behind their conversation and from other statements made by Jesus in the New Testament, it is clear that he was referring here to baptism.

Jesus Commissioning the Disciples to Preach the Gospel

When Jesus visited his apostles following his resurrection, he gave them the commission to take his gospel, his message of salvation, to the world. The importance of the ordinance of baptism was again emphasized during this conversation.

The apostles were told simply, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Again, the most fundamental requirements for being saved (or going to heaven) are simple and straightforward:

• believe in Jesus Christ’s gospel
• be baptized

What About Those Who Didn’t Have the Opportunity?

One of the reasons many Christian traditions have lessened the importance of baptism in their creeds is the natural discomfort that comes from sensing that God isn’t fair in his choice of who gets opportunities to be baptized and who doesn’t. The idea that God would condemn entire societies (those in non-Christian environments) simply because of their misfortune of never being exposed to a scenario where the gospel of Jesus Christ is taught and baptism available is unacceptable.

The feeling of injustice in that paradigm is correct. God wouldn’t punish people for something they’re not accountable for.

God provides the opportunity for everyone who has inhabited this earth to be baptized. If they didn’t have the opportunity to receive it for themselves, they can receive it by proxy.

In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul is explaining to the Corinthians the doctrine that all will people will be resurrected from the dead. He uses the doctrine of baptism for the dead to validate his teaching about the resurrection. In verse 29, he says, “Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?”

Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

Baptism for the dead was practiced by the early Christians. Their purpose was to provide opportunities for those who had not been baptized in their mortal life to accept a baptism done for them by proxy.

There are many modern revelations given to Joseph Smith and others of this modern dispensation of the gospel of Jesus Christ that give validity to the concept of baptisms for the dead and the missionary work that is being done among those who have passed from this life.

Yes, baptism is required to go to heaven. For those who have the chance to be baptized in this life, it is essential to take that step. For those who don’t have the chance to be baptized while in mortality, the chance for them to accept a proxy baptism gives them the opportunity to be on equal footing with those who had access to the gospel of Jesus Christ while living on earth.