Do I need to be baptized?

As references I will be using the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church as resource material.

What did Jesus say? Jesus said, “I solemnly assure you, no one can enter into Gods kingdom without being begotten of water and Spirit” (John 3:5).

At the ascension, Jesus said, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

Jesus commanded the apostles, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19-20).

Therefore the Church does not neglect the mission received from Christ to ensure that all be baptized and reborn of water and the Spirit.

If you believe Jesus’ words, it sounds pretty clear that one needs to be baptized.

Some may say, “But what happened to all those Christians who were condemned to death and were not baptized?” Historically, the Church has taught that the graces of baptism can be received not only through the administration of the sacrament itself (baptism of water) but also through martyrdom for Christ (baptism of blood) or through the desire for the baptism sacrament (baptism of desire).

Baptism of blood is a form of martyrdom which a person who dies for the Christian faith before he or she can receive the sacrament. Chances are, currently in the USA, that one who is not baptized will not experience martyrdom / the baptism of blood as a cause of death.

What is baptism of desire? Baptism of desire, by a person, is the implicit desire for baptism of water with an act of perfect love for God based on faith and with a sincere sorrow for one’s sins. According to the Church’s teaching, “Those who through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or His Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do His will as they know it through the dictate of their conscience; those too may achieve eternal salvation” (Second Vatican Council, Constitution on the Church, I, 16).

Please note that being baptized by baptism of desire and baptism of blood, although dogmas of the Church are guaranteed to no one, and water baptism should always be sought. If you have the opportunity or choice to be baptized, and you reject it, aren’t you then rejecting Jesus in what he has said and taught?

Unfortunately, we so often judge things by human standards, but God is not constrained by our standards. Jesus will not force His gift upon us, the gift of supernatural life for which He paid. He holds the gift out to us hopefully, but each of us must freely accept it. Recommend getting baptized as Jesus instructed. Why take any chances?