Answer: No.
Jesus is all we need - Yeshua is the Gift.
Ephesians 2:5:
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.)Ephesians 2:8-9:
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[Excerpt from Volume 6 - 2/15/07 From God the Father, Given to Timothy - A Letter For the United Church of God and For All Those Who Have Ears to Hear - To the Church at the Lord’s Right Hand... Hear the Word of the Lord.]
...So then, hear and understand the truth of baptism, of which you hold in such high regard. Be careful that you do not make this also a rod or measuring stick used in judgment against others, nor make baptism by water more than it was ordained to be.
As was circumcision, so is baptism... neither are necessary for salvation. You speak without full understanding of the mercies of God, fulfilled in Christ. You only need look to the thief on the cross and have understanding. A man, having never known baptism by water, nor stepping foot in any church, was assured of salvation, having asked the Christ with a true and penitent heart. In that same moment, He was forgiven and will enter into paradise at the Last Day, as Jesus had spoken to him that day, saying, “In truth I speak to you this day, you shall be with Me in paradise.”
So My sons and daughters, heed this Word I have already given to My servant, Timothy, which speaks to the truth of baptism...“Know the wisdom and understanding of God. Many will there be, who arrive at the Kingdom, who had not been baptized of water. Rather, they had been fully immersed in My Word and enveloped in the Son’s sacrifice and love, for they have been fully baptized in the Spirit. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward as do you, My precious child. From the beginning, I have known you and loved you, who was baptized in water. So also, do I love and know those without baptism by water, for they love Me as you have loved Me. Do not cast stumbling blocks before the feet of those who love Me...be all one in Christ. Amen. So if these, who dispense the food of God to the hungry, using their own salt to salt that which has salt in itself, then that food which is given, has it not lost its flavor and become bitter in the mouths of those who came looking to be fed? This I say to you, and to those who hold baptism in high regard as a measuring stick by which you shall be counted worthy or unworthy unto God, I say to you, what God has cleansed is worthy... call it not unworthy. For baptism by water was given to men as a solidification of one’s commitment to God, in Christ’s name, and fellowship with one to the other to build Christ’s church and make it of one body. So I say to you, careful what doctrines you hold steadfast to, lest you fall into judgment for that by which you have judged. What is earthly, let it be earthly. What is spiritual, let it stay spiritual. Hold not to the earthly...hold fast to God by way of His Christ. Where, in the commandments of God, have I written all must be baptized of water by men? Baptism is good if it is a confession poured out from one’s heart unto faith, belief and forgiveness in Christ. The water from the earth can only cleanse that which is soiled on one’s skin. By no means can it cleanse that which is soiled in the spirit. This is reserved for the blood of the Lamb. So, again, I say to you, baptism by water is nothing in and of itself, unless first one comes to know the Word and be baptized of the Spirit, which is in Christ Jesus. He is the Baptism and Water by which all is built and come to their salvation. So remember this: The spirit of the Word, and not its letter, is the Way, the Truth and the Life, leading to your entire life becoming baptized by the Waters from Heaven, which are, and flow from, Christ the Lord. The Christ comes quickly to baptize all with fire and glory... those of the wicked heart, in fire; and those of the Truth and the Spirit, in glory forever and ever. Amen.”
1/13/05 - From God the Father - A Letter Given to Timothy, For All Those Who Have Ears to Hear
Come Now and Be Baptized in the Living Waters of Life and Truth
This is what the Lord says concerning the baptism of My saints by water.
First, I say to you, be baptized by the Word of God and knowledge in Him. Then shall come repentance and forgiveness of sin, for the Lord God Almighty is He who baptizes His people with His Spirit... and He alone decides, and knows, to whom it shall be given. The Water of Life resides not in the water of the body or the earth of which all must drink to maintain their earthly body. Rather, the Water of Life is that which flows from the body of Christ, Giver of Life, that all must partake of to maintain their spirit, which leads to everlasting salvation and life. "For I am the Water of Life", says the Son of Man. Listen and partake of His words, every one, and be baptized in them.
In what waters have you heard speech?... For baptism comes from the Gospel, and by proclamation of your own mouth unto repentance and the heart's desire of forgiveness. So go forth and baptize yourself of the water of the earth, if you so desire, for it is only of yourself that make it either a strengthening of faith or a mere dampening of your clothes.
Here is wisdom: Jesus the Christ was baptized not for repentance. He was baptized in glory, and My Spirit was shown upon Him in the sight of men, so all would know the Savior has come and was baptized for all, and has become the very Baptism that all seek.
Amen.Behold the Son of Man and the Holy Spirit of God... live in Them and wear Them well.
Wear Them not, and be naked and poor, says the Lord.
Excerpts from the Letters from God and His Christ - Volume 1:
"This is the baptism of which Timothy has been baptized, not of water, but the Water of Life which is in Christ Jesus. Baptism by water is nothing and is earthly. Let yourself be baptized, by that which is spirit which leads to eternal life. Nothing earthly can enter My Kingdom (the Kingdom of Heaven)." ~ God.
John 4:2:
Actually, Jesus Himself did not baptize anyone; only his disciples did.
Mark 1:8:
I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
Luke 3:16:
So John said to all of them, "I baptize you with water, but Someone is coming who is much greater than I am. I am not good enough even to untie his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John 1:33:
I still did not know that He was the One, but God, who sent me to baptize with water, had said to me, "You will see the Spirit come down and stay on a Man; He is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.'
1Corinthians 1:17:
Christ did not send me to baptize. He sent me to tell the Good News, and to tell it without using the language of human wisdom, in order to make sure that Christ's death on the cross is not robbed of its power.
Therefore:
Baptism is good if it is a confession poured out from one’s heart unto faith, belief and forgiveness in Christ. The water from the earth can only cleanse that which is soiled on one’s skin. By no means can it cleanse that which is soiled in the spirit. This is reserved for the blood of the Lamb. Says the Lord.
"Not The Putting Away Of The Filth Of The Flesh, But The Answer Of A Good Conscience Toward God" ~ 1 Peter 3:21.
[*See "comments" 1 and 2 for more evidence regarding this important issue.]
What the Lord has given me to write, stays written, and what the Lord has spoken, STANDS.
1 Corinthians 1:17 NIV
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
1 Corinthians 1:17 CJB
For the Messiah did not send me to immerse but to proclaim the Good News - and to do it without relying on "wisdom" that consists of mere rhetoric, so as not to rob the Messiah's execution-stake of its power.
1 Corinthians 1:17 KJV
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 NLT
For Christ didn't send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News; and not with clever speeches and high-sounding ideas, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.
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The Lord lives, and forgives those who call on His name with all humility and supplication. Come to Me and repent. To this end I gave My life as a ransom and payment in full for your sins past, present and those sins of tomorrow. Now go out My beloved sheep, forgiven in My blood, and sin no more. ~ Jesus [Letters from God and His Christ - Volume 1 - Return Home, Your Father Calls]