"If I am not baptized, even if I trusted Christ for my salvation and believed on Him, I would still go to Hell?"
Why do you suppose those who heard Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost asked what they must do to be saved, after they had believed on Jesus as the Son of God?
Why do you suppose Peter didn't say, "Oh, you don't have to do anything, you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, just trust in Him that your faith has saved you." instead of, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins."?
Why do you suppose Jesus told Saul to "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." after he believed that Jesus was the Son of God? We know it was not because Jesus did not have the power to grant salvation to Saul when he lay humbled, and trembling in astonished belief on the ground before Him.
You asked a question every member of the church of Christ has been asked at one time or another in his/her lifetime. Its equivalent is, "What if death occurs before the baptism of a believer?". (Have to say here that the tone of derision and condescension can't be properly conveyed in this particular wording of the question. lol.) Interestingly enough, the question usually comes from someone who believes salvation comes through the sinner's prayer, and that baptism is not necessary for remission of sins. I always want to ask, "Do you think a believer would go to heaven if he/she died before they got to pray the sinner's prayer?" But, I don't ask it, and I won't ask you.
I believe the answer is the same to both questions - that God will decide who enters heaven.
I also know that Jesus prayed a prayer - recorded in John 17 - where He asked God to sanctify the apostles by His truth. Then said, "Your word is truth." He told the Father that He had given the apostles the words which the Father had given Him, and that they had kept His word. He further prayed for all who would believe in Him through their word. (That is the word the apostles had been given by Jesus from the Father) They all were given the same word, or doctrine, and they all taught the same doctrine. Christ said that is how the world would know that God had sent Him. He was praying for unity according to the truth of His Gospel that had been given to the apostles.
Paul later said of this same gospel, "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed."(Galatians 1:8) It was such a serious matter that he repeated it.
Look around us today. Is everyone who claims allegiance to Christ teaching the same doctrine? Many don't even call themselves Christians without their particular hyphenation.
When I became a Christian, I did the same as those who became Christians on the day of Pentecost. I believe the Bible teaches that it is the same that is commanded of everyone who receives the grace of Jesus - not because God doesn't have the power to do it some other way, but because it is the way He has chosen that we may be "in Him", and the world may know that we are His.
I believe the Bible teaches:
1 ) The sinner must hear God's Word (Romans 10:17)
2 ) One must believe what he hears. (John 3:16; Acts 16:31)
3 ) The sinner must repent, or turn away, from sin and seek forgiveness. (Luke 13:3)
4 ) God commands the penitent sinner to confess Christ, who is the basis for our salvation, before men as the Son of God. (Romans 10:9-10)
5 ) Finally, the sinner who has heard the word of God, believed it, repented of his sins, and confessed Christ before men is commanded to be baptized unto the remission of his sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16). Baptism is what puts a person "in Christ" so that salvation is achieved (Romans 6:3-4; Gal. 3:27; 1Peter 3:21). It is where one comes into contact with Christ's blood so that sins can be washed away (Ephesians 1: 7-8; Revelation 5:9; Romans 5:8-9; Hebrews 9:12-14).
Christ shed His blood on the Cross at His death (John 19:31-34) Sinners must contact that blood to obtain forgiveness of sin. In baptism that contact with the blood, and the death, of Christ is made (Romans 6:3-11), and the hope of resurrection, to live with Him in heaven, is received (Colossians 2;12).
Each of these steps are commanded and necessary to achieve salvation. When a person hears, believes, repents, confesses, and is baptized for the forgiveness of his sins, that person becomes a Christian. God then adds that Christian to His Son’s one true body - the church. The child of God who remains faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10) is promised a crown of life and eternity in heaven as a result of his faith, his obedience, God’s mercy, and God’s grace (John 14:15; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 1:5).
I apologize to all for the length of this post.
I could go on, but my fingers are as tired as your eyes, if you have read the whole thing. ;-)
God bless and guide each of us who sincerely and diligently seek Him into all truth.
Personally, I don't believe in a "sinner's prayer" because I don't find that in Scripture.
I also do not believe that baptism saves anyone.
If a believer professes that Jesus is his/her lord and saviour and asks for forgiveness of their sins,they will go to heaven if they pass away before getting baptized.The reason I know this is because of the thief,crucified at the side of Jesus.He didn't have time to be baptized,but asked for forgiveness.Jesus told him that he would join him in paradise that very day.
We still are told to ask for forgiveness and be baptised,but if something were to happen before you had the chance,God would be quite understanding.On the other hand,if you know you need to be baptised,but either don't do it or put it off for some time,well,only "the Big Guy" can answer that one,but I'm inclined to believe that this wouldn't be a good scenario.