Will a Believer miss Heaven if they are Not Baptized?

WILL A BELIEVER MISS HEAVEN IF THEY ARE NOT BAPTIZED? 

By Ezekiel Kimosop 

*John 3:5 (KJV)* 

[5]Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

• Shed light on the above, in relation to the thief on the Cross (Luke 23:39-43; Matthew 27:38, 44; Mark 15:27, 32.).

• In other words, will a Believer miss Heaven due to lack of Baptism?

MY TAKE 

My view is that no text or passage of Scripture teaches or implies that a believer will miss heaven for lack of water baptism. Christian baptism is a biblical rite that attests to the believer's inner transformation in Christ. It is not the means to salvation. It is evidence of salvation. 

This is not to suggest or imply that water baptism is insignificant for believers. It is one of the two Christian rites commanded by Christ. It should therefore be observed in obedience to Christ.

The purpose of this article is to set the record straight on the question raised by a reader. 

John 3:5 says "Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (NKJV). 

This text of Scripture does not imply that water baptism is a prerequisite to salvation.. It is an allegorical reference to the ritual cleansing of sin and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Notice the clarification by Jesus in John 3:6-8. Spiritual rebirth is a divine gift from God that is accessible to any sinner who repents and turns to Christ (cf. John 3:16-17). 

2 Corinthians 6:14-16 says: "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God" (NKJV). 

The three rhetorical questions raised by Paul in this passage underscore the significance of the sanctification of the believer in Christ. This transformation implies that the believer is separated from the sinful world as he grows in faith. 

Notice the implication of the closing statement in v.16. The believer is indeed indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This is consistent with John 14:15-17 which says:

"If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you" (NKJV). 

No matter how young in faith, a believer is able to discern the presence and indwelling of the Holy Spirit in their lives. This discernment continues to grow as they walk with Christ. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (NKJV). 

This text affirms the spiritual transformation in the believer's life in Christ. His worldview and inner life is consistently reformed by God through sanctification so that the believer is daily conformed to Christ. His new stature as a child of God is notably distinct from his former self (cf. Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27). 

Despite his life of evil, the thief on the cross expressed remorse. He was assured of eternal life on account of his faith in Christ. Why? Because he called on the Savior saying "...Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom" (Luke 23:42). Jesus' response in v. 43 is theologically understood as evidence of the thief's forgiveness of sin and his assurance of resurrection upon Christ's coming. He may have missed out on water baptism but he struck the right code - he submitted to Christ and this is all that counted for him.

The fact that Jesus' engagement with the thief on the cross appears in all the Synoptic Gospels is perhaps evidence of its significance in biblical soteriology. It affirms that salvation is exclusively anchored on God's grace rather than on any ritual or works. It is the gift of God in Christ Jesus. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 proclaims: "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast." 

This text should debunk any mystery or doubt in the reader's mind. Salvation is by God's grace alone which is received through faith in Christ alone.

If water baptism is a cardinal prerequisite for salvation, Scripture should have expressly affirmed it. Scripture cannot speak from two sides of the mouth! 

Here's the conclusion to this matter - water baptism is not a prerequisite for salvation. Faith in Christ Jesus is. Water baptism is an outward ritual that illustrates the inner transformation of the believer. A believer should therefore submit to water baptism in obedience to Christ's command in Matthew 28:19-20. 

Shalom 

© Ezekiel Kimosop 2026