For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12.13).
Probably no issue has contributed to more confusion, contention, and divisions in Christendom than baptism. Some churches teach baptism is a sacrament, some that it is necessary for salvation. Some teach infants are to be baptized while others limit baptism to adults. Some teach immersion, some pouring, some sprinkling. Apart from baptism, some churches do not consider you a Christian and some will not let you join the church or teach in the church. What one believes about baptism has a large influence in determining one’s church or denomination. To try and remedy this confusion, it is necessary to examine what the Scriptures teach about baptism.
What does baptism mean? The words “baptism” and “baptize” (βάπτισμα, βαπτισμός, and βαπτίζω) go back to the Greek word βάπτω, “to dip.” Homer used it of a brazier who dipped hot brass in water to temper it. In the Old Testament (LXX), βάπτω was used frequently. It was used of the dipping of hyssop in blood during the Passover (Exodus 12.22). The word βαπτίζω is used less frequently, but notably of Naaman who dipped himself seven times in the Jordan river to cleanse himself from leprosy (2 Kings 5.14). This word has a more intransitive sense than βάπτω. It has the sense of “wash” as in “washing oneself”. In Hebrews 6.2 and 9.10, we read about “washings” (βαπτισμός) that pertained to the Jews. The sense is cleansing. This sense was carried on by John the Baptizer who preached and performed “the baptism of repentance” (Matthew 3.2-6). About half the references to baptism in the New Testament concern John the Baptizer and this mission. The twelve apostles continued this sense. Thus, Peter declared:
“And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you–not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience–through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” (1 Peter 3.21).
While baptism has the idea of cleansing, its basic meaning is “identification.” Thus, Jesus said,
“You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized” (Mark 10.38)?
And again,
“But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!” (Luke 12.50).
Paul, describing Israel, wrote:
1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea; 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and all ate the same spiritual food; 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ (1 Corinthians 10.1-4).
Paul declared a new, spiritual sense and emphasis for baptism. According to Paul, every believer in Christ is a member of the body of Christ and has been baptized by the Holy Spirit. He wrote,
“For by one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12.13).
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, (Romans 6.3-6).
9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (Colossians 2.9-12).
5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3.5-7).
What kind of baptism did Paul teach in these passages? Did he mean water baptism or spiritual baptism? Let the reader ask himself the following questions. Can water baptism identify us into the death of Christ? Can it identify us in Christ’s resurrection? Can it cause us to walk in newness of life? Can a work of man do these things? These works are beyond the capability of man; they are of God. Paul taught that when one believes his gospel, that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15.1-4), he is baptized by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12.13). With this act, God identifies the believer with Christ and he becomes a member of the body of Christ, i.e., the Church. God sees him as sharing (being identified) in Jesus’ death and resurrection. What an amazing and exciting truth!
What was the role of water baptism in the ministry of John the Baptizer, of Jesus, of the 12 apostles? What do the Scriptures teach?
John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1.4).
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned” (Mark 16.15-16).
And Peter said to them, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2.38).
We should notice a few things from these passages. One, they contain a consistent message from John the Baptizer, Jesus, and Peter. Two, each deals with water baptism. Three, each deals with leaders of Israel and concern a ministry to and out from Israel. Four, each teaches water baptism was necessary for the forgiveness of sins. What are we to make of these Scriptures?
If one takes them at face value, one must conclude they mean what they say, namely, that according to the preaching of John, Jesus, and Peter, forgiveness of sins was based upon repentance, belief that Jesus was the Messiah of Israel (cf. Matthew 16.16; John 11.27), and water baptism. We also read Ananias words with regard to Paul’s salvation:
12 “A certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing near said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very time I looked up at him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. 15 For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name’ (Acts 22.12-16).
Does this mean that salvation was through works? Yes and no.
Salvation has always been through faith. Hebrews 11 makes this clear as do many other passages throughout the Scriptures. While salvation has always been based upon faith, the content of faith has changed over time according to the revelation and the command of God.1 What did Abraham believe for salvation? Did he believe Christ died for his sins and was raised from the dead for his justification? No, he believed what God revealed to him: he would be the father of many nations, by him the world would be blessed, and God would give him a land (Genesis 12.1-3). Salvation has always been based upon faith in that which God has revealed. What about a Jew during the time of David? How was he saved? He was saved by taking a sacrifice to the priest and by believing that the sacrifice covered his sin. Both had to occur. He could not just have faith and not bring the animal. Nor was providing the animal with no faith sufficient. There had to be both. So both faith and works were necessary.
How does faith work? God provides a revelation. In response, a person says, “I believe it.” Faith is obedience. The two cannot be separated. The content of the message of John the Baptizer, Jesus, and Peter, was the message of faith in Jesus as the Messiah, repentance, and baptism. What was the response of faith and obedience? To repent, be baptized, and believe Jesus was the promised Messiah (cf. Matthew 16.13-19; John 11.26-27; Acts 8.34-38).
Consider the case of Naaman, the Syrian general, who commanded the King of Syria’s military forces (2 Kings 5). Elisha told the four-star leprous Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan to be healed. Naaman was angry Elisha had not come out to greet him but had sent his messenger to tell him what to do. He also thought his native rivers were better than the Jordan. From a purely human perspective, Naaman had reason to complain. But in the realm of the divine, human viewpoint means little. Eventually, Naaman was persuaded to do what Elisha had told him. The result: he was healed (2 Kings 5.14). His flesh became like the flesh of a “little child” (נַעַר קָטֹן). Because he obeyed, Naaman had the most beautiful skin of any man in Syria. Faith is believing and obeying what God has revealed. If God told one to do three jumping jacks for salvation, how would faith respond? Faith would respond by doing three jumping jacks.
What is God’s revelation today for salvation? Is it repent, be baptized, and believe Jesus is the promised Messiah of Israel? No, the content of the gospel has changed. The Lord revealed our gospel to Paul and is called the “gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20.24). The gospel for today is the following:
1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (1 Corinthians 15.1-4).
What we have to believe, i.e., obey, to be saved today is that Christ died for us and rose from the dead.
We have seen the role baptism played in the ministry of John the Baptizer, Jesus, and Peter. What did Paul write about water baptism? After all, almost all churches today teach some form of water baptism. In his first letter to the Corinthians, one the great issues Paul confronted and wrote to correct was divisions among believers. Paul wrote:
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void (1 Corinthians 1.14-17).
In addressing the problem of divisions, Paul wrote the Corinthians (c. 57 A.D.) he was glad he had not baptized many so that they might not claim him and let this be a cause of division. This passage rings true. In our mind’s eye, we can see Paul dictating the letter. He remembered he baptized Crispus and Gaius and just as his amanuensis recorded his words, he remembered he also baptized Stephanas’ household and related that. But the main point to consider is Paul’s statement: “Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel.” Why did Paul write this? Jesus told his disciples,
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28.19).
Does Paul contradict Jesus? Not at all. How was Paul commissioned as an apostle? Was he commissioned like the Twelve? No. Paul received a special commission from the Lord. God saved Paul on the Damascus road where Jesus, the risen Lord, appeared to him. Jesus did not tell Paul to baptize as he had the other disciples. Jesus gave Paul a different mission from that of the Twelve. The heavenly Lord commissioned Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles while the earthly Lord commissioned Peter and the eleven as apostles to Israel (Acts 9.15-16; 14.26-28; 18.6; 22.21; 26.16-18; 28.28; Galatians 2.2, 7-9; Romans 11.13; Ephesians 3.1, 8; 1 Timothy 2.7). To Paul, the Lord Jesus Christ committed the “gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20.24).
A few years later, about 61 A.D., Paul wrote to the Ephesians,
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4.4-6).
Paul’s statement has the elements of a creed: one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father. The common element of the statement is the word “one.” Paul wrote there was one baptism. What baptism did he mean? From Paul’s other teachings, we know he meant spiritual baptism. Paul did not regard water baptism to be of great importance. He wrote the Corinthians, “Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 1.17). If only one baptism exists, what baptism is it–the baptism by man or the baptism by God the Holy Spirit? Clearly, the baptism of the Holy Spirit is greater than water baptism performed by man. It is clear that from the time Paul wrote the Corinthians to the time he wrote the Ephesians that water baptism was ending and that by the time he wrote Ephesians it had ceased. Therefore, water baptism has no place in Christianity. Why do churches practice water baptism?
The short answer to that question is that churches practice water baptism because theologians have failed to recognize and distinguish between Paul’s ministry and the revelation God gave to him and the ministry of John the Baptizer, Jesus, and the Twelve. John, Jesus, and the Twelve proclaimed the “gospel of the kingdom of God” (Matthew 4.17; 9.35). Their message was to Israel. Its focus was on repentance, water baptism, belief that Jesus was the promised Messiah, and the earthly kingdom of God. Paul proclaimed a different message. He proclaimed the “gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20.24) which focused upon Christ dying for our sins and rising from the dead. It was a message of grace and faith alone (1 Corinthians 15.1-4). Paul’s gospel was primarily to Gentiles since he was the apostle of the Gentiles (Romans 11.13). Failure to understand the differences between these two ministries and messages and failure to distinguish between Israel (God’s earthly people) and the Church (God’s heavenly people) has led to most of the hermeneutical problems that exist in Christianity. Only when one allows the Scriptures to mean what they say in context rather than reading later revelation into them or forcing them into a preconceived theological position do apparent contradictions vanish. Such methodology is much more successful and enlightening than rationalizing or forcing passages into contorted directions that result in confused or contradictory renderings.
In summary,
- From John the Baptizer to Pentecost there was one baptism–water baptism (Mark 1.4; John 1.31).
- During the period of time recorded in Acts there were two baptisms–water (Acts 2.38) and baptism with or in the Holy Spirit (Acts 1.5; 2.38; 1 Corinthians 12.13).
- At the present time there is one baptism (Ephesians 4.5). This is the baptism by which we are baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6.3-5) and into His body (1 Corinthians 12.13). This baptism is different from the baptism with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. At Pentecost, Christ was the Baptizer (Matthew 3.11; Acts 1.5). But for Christians, for believers of Paul’s gospel, the Holy Spirit is the baptizer. He baptizes us into Christ and his body (1 Corinthians 12.13; Titus 3.5-7).
If water baptism is invalid for our day, there is no need to discuss infant baptism. But since infant baptism is a major part of Christendom one small word will be said. No Scripture supports the idea of infant baptism. Search the Scriptures. It is not there. Furthermore, the notion that baptism is for the New Testament what circumcision was for the Old Testament is a human invention. Not one verse supports this notion. One can only wonder how such teaching began. A chief principle of the Reformation was sola scriptura–the Scriptures alone. Tragically, men sacrifice that principle all too willingly to sustain theological biases.
From Paul’s teaching, the apostle to the Gentiles, the apostle of the gospel of the grace of God, and the apostle to whom Christ revealed the Church, the body of Christ, comes the knowledge of one baptism: the baptism of the Holy Spirit. By this baptism, we are identified with Christ and placed “in Christ.” God the Holy Spirit is the baptizer of believers, not a minister who dips, pours, or sprinkles water on someone. Despite the centuries of history of water baptism and all its attendant traditions, the Scriptures teach baptism of the Holy Spirit is the one legitimate baptism for the Church, the body of Christ.
1 See also the Gospel.
©2000 Don Samdahl. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold.
Updated, March 16, 2015
This is so concise and clear. I have been asked the question of baptism by my children and researched pages and pages of explanation. Thank you for putting it in a few words that make so much sense, especially with the Scriptural veracity. I really appreciate your putting the Scriptures into the text.
cjb
You might read Acts 20:20-25. Sounds like NPP belief. What is the end game?
Like Calvanism turns into HyperCalvanism.
Ken,
I have no idea what NPP is or what Acts 20.20-25 has to do with baptism.
Just came across some information regarding NPP.
NPP stands for “New Perspective on Paul,” which is a theological movement that emerged in the late 20th century and seeks to provide a different understanding of Paul’s theology and writings. One of the areas where the New Perspective on Paul has had an impact is in the interpretation of baptism in Paul’s writings.
The New Perspective on Paul challenges the traditional view that Paul’s theology was focused primarily on individual salvation through faith in Christ. Instead, proponents of the New Perspective argue that Paul’s message was about the inclusion of the Gentiles into the people of God, and that this inclusion was not based on adherence to Jewish law, but rather on faith in Christ.
This has implications for the interpretation of baptism in Paul’s writings. Traditional interpretations have seen baptism as a symbol of individual salvation, a personal expression of faith and repentance. However, proponents of the New Perspective argue that baptism was primarily a communal rite of initiation into the people of God. They point to passages such as Galatians 3:27-29, where Paul writes that those who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ and are now one in Christ, regardless of their ethnic or social status.
In this view, baptism is not simply a personal expression of faith, but a public declaration of allegiance to Christ and participation in the new community of believers. It is a sign of entrance into the new covenant community, and not just an individual act of repentance and forgiveness.
Overall, the New Perspective on Paul has led to a rethinking of the role and meaning of baptism in Paul’s theology, emphasizing its communal and corporate dimensions and its role in the formation of the new covenant people of God.
Send a message…
Cigmd,
The NPP is just another example of those who do not understand Paul’s theology. Paul baptized early in his ministry. Why did he do this when he made it clear that God did not send him to baptize but to proclaim the gospel (1 Corinthians 1.17). Paul likely baptized early in his ministry as a sign to Jews saved under the gospel of the kingdom that Gentiles were true believers since water baptism was required for salvation under the gospel of the kingdom. Paul ceased this practice sometime in the 50s, however. When he got to Rome, he wrote that there was only one baptism (Ephesians 4.5). That one baptism is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, who identifies us in Christ, in His death and resurrection, who identifies and places us into the body of Christ. Water baptism has no place for those in Christ. Those who practice it show they do not understand Paul or the significance of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism creates great confusion and division in Christendom but God is not the author of confusion. This alone should alert believers that something is wrong in practicing water baptism.
Sorry to disagree but the article you are praising is flawed yet another proof that if you sound like you know what you are talking about some will follow your lead. The author espouses a radical type of dispensationalism.
Rev. Stephen A. Cakouros
Evangelical Presbyterian Church
Rev. Cakouros,
Evidently, you rejectPaul’s statement, “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Do you think “one baptism” means more than one? Which baptism did Paul declare? Did God send Paul to practice water baptism or to proclaim the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
This is new to be and absolutely amazing. I believe it. Presbyterian beliefs are based on Calvinism which is a totally false religion that God died only for what they consider the elect. This false relis spreading and taking over the world. In my opinion, Calvin is the Man of Sin.
Why does Paul (or at least someone in his ministry) baptize Lydia (Acts 16:15), or the Phillipian jailer and his family (Acts 16:33), or the Corinthian believers (Acts 18:8)? Why would Paul have anyone, much less Gentiles, be baptized if it wasn’t part of the ministry of the Body of Christ?
Acts is a transitional book. Water baptism was essential for salvation in the kingdom program–the program of John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Twelve. God provided Israel with a time of testing (a time to repent and believe Jesus was the Messiah) of about 40 years after Jesus rose from the dead. After this period He allowed the Romans to come in and destroy the Temple (the heart of Judaism) and Jerusalem (70 AD). Paul baptized some during his early ministry. But from what he wrote in 1 Corinthians 1.14-17 (about 57 AD) he recognized things were changing. By the time Paul wrote Ephesians 4.1-5 (about 62 AD) water baptism as a legitimate biblical practice had ended. After this, only “one baptism,” the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12.13) was valid.
What does this mean? “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46–47).
Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations. Repentance should be preached to including the Gentiles.
Chris,
This was part of the “great commission” given the disciples. This was an extension of what the Twelve had been proclaiming to the Jews. Jesus told them the order of ministry in Acts 1.8. But Israel rejected this message. The Twelve never had a ministry to Gentiles because the Jews rejected the message. Instead, God in His grace saved Paul who became the apostle of the Gentiles (Romans 11.13) and proclaimed the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20.24), what Paul called “my gospel” (Romans 2.14). This gospel revealed that salvation was based upon believing that Christ died for one’s sins and rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15.1-4). Peter did not proclaim this at Pentecost and the Twelve did not know this gospel until Paul revealed it to them. This is why there was such contention that resulted in the Council of Jerusalem. See my article, The Great Hinge.
1 Corinthians 12:13
The body of Christ include both the Jews and the Greeks(gentiles). Therefore the body of Christ does not begin with Paul’s preaching. Jesus himself said I’ll build my church upon this rock and the gates of hell shall not prevail.
When pater preached at Cornelius it’s not only Cornelius who believed but his house hold( that include workers and salves).
The spirit was not just given to Cornelius as Peter later reported, but the spirit was given to the gentiles too just as their had received at day of Pentecost.
Ding,
The defininition of the Church, the body of Christ, is Jew and Gentile equal in Christ. We know the Church did not begin at Pentecost because Peter did not address Gentiles. We also know this because they had no ministry to Gentiles. Read Acts 11.19. The “church” Jesus spoke of in Matthew 16 were all Jewish believers. The word ἐκκλησία just means a group a people. Its particular meaning depends upon context. Acts 19 is an example. We know Jesus did not mean the Church, the body of Christ, in Matthew 16 from reading what He said in Matthew 18. Cornelius was an exception and his salvation was essential to help Paul 14 years later at the Council of Jerusalem. Also, all members of the Church have believed Paul’s gospel. Peter knew nothing of this gospel. If he and the others had, there would have been no argument at the Council in 51 A.D.
Clarification Question – Acts 10:44-48
When the Gentiles recieved the Holy Spirit, was this the partial fulfillment of Joel 2 stated in Acts 2:17 and the balance will happen at the end of the the Tribulation to usher in the millennium kingdom?
that is so wonderful
everyone must be alert; here is what Paul has to say:Ephesians 2:19-22
Because when the apostle Paul was saved in Acts 9 all the things Revealed to him were not all made clear. It too many years to come to the full understanding of the Gospel of the Grace of God.
It was a new learning process for him and takes time to process.
When Paul came to understand what his commission was he was able to say , later I thank God I only baptised some of you.
As his Gospel of The Grace of God had no water baptism but Spiritual.
Were these Gentiles (Lydia, Phillipian jailer, Corinthians) Paul baptized converted to Judaism (Jesus as Messiah) or to the “Body of Christ” (Jesus is Saviour)?
All who respond to Paul’s gospel (Romans 2.16; 1 Corinthians 15.1-4) become members of the body of Christ. This will continue until the body of Christ is complete. Paul was the first (Gk. πρῶτος) in the body of Christ according to what he wrote in 1 Timothy 1.12-17. The word translated “foremost” is better rendered “first.” First means first–#1 in a succession. In v. 16, Paul wrote he was a “pattern” (Gk. ὑποτύπωσις). This is a better rendering, i.e., less ambiguous, than “example” to all who would follow. In 1 Corinthians 3.10, Paul declared that he laid the foundation (Gk. θεμέλιος) as a “wise master builder” (Gk. σοφὸς ἀρχιτέκτων). Christ is always the foundation but He commissioned Paul to build His church, the body of Christ.
Thanks for your explanation on protos (I Tim. 1). I had not heard that before.
Isn’t it true Paul only baptized either Jews or at best gentile converts to Judeism or better put, worshipers of the God of the Jews…ie. Lydia, Phillipian jailor?
Randy,
The converts Paul had reference to in 1 Corinthians 1 were Gentiles who had believed Paul’s gospel (1 Corinthians 15.1-4) not the gospel of the kingdom Peter preached which focused upon the identity of Christ (Matthew 16; John 11). Water baptism was already fading away and by the time Paul wrote Ephesians was over. Lydia was clearly a Jew and the jailor a Gentile. But by this time, Paul had received the gospel of grace (Acts 20.24) which he preached.
I’m afraid of this demarcation “Water baptism was already fading away and by the time Paul wrote Ephesians was over.”
Where is the authority for such interpretation and explanation? How was water baptism fading away? Where was it alluded? That it was not mentioned again in other epistles does not mean that it had faded. Those letters were dealing with other specific issues.
Chris,
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1.14-17 about water baptism. Paul did not regard it as a primary function of his ministry. His focus was proclaiming the gospel. For Paul, the important baptism was the baptism of the Holy Spirit who makes us part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12.13). By the time Paul wrote Ephesians (about 61-62 A.D.), water baptism had ended (Ephesians 4.5).
The fact that it was not part of his ministry (he’s been called to be an apostle, sent one, traveling all the time , not a local pastor), was not part of the saving message that’s his point in I Cor .
Christiano,
Paul’s statement was more than that. He later wrote there was one baptism (Ephesians 4.5). One. If there is water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit there are two baptisms. So, you must decide which is the one baptism: water or the Holy Spirit. That’s the choice.
Certainly Paul’s baptism was not the same as Peter’s (Acts 2:38), was it? If not, what was it’s purpose? What did it accomplish?
Paul provides no teaching on water baptism. Paul only wrote about the believer’s baptism by the Holy Spirit in which he is identified with Christ and made part of His body. Paul baptized few with water (1 Corinthians 1.17). His commission was to preach the gospel of the grace of God and to reveal the mysteries the ascended Christ had revealed to him.
Let’s look at the facts. First there is not a Paul Gospel. Secondly’ Paul was baptized. Third the Book of Acts was not transitional. It described the Acts of the Apostles. Fourth Peter at the Day of Pentecost preached not only to the Jews, “but to all who dwelled in Jerusalem.” Fifth; In Acts :41-47 speaks of those who were Baptized were added daily.” Added to what, the Church. Plainly stated if you weren’t Baptized you were not added to the Church.
Sixth; Who baptized the Jailer? It was either Paul or Silas.
Finally, the Great commission was not given just for the Jews, it was for all Nations.” This is when the New Testament Church started.
Jim,
Here are facts, not tradition, which is what you have written.
1. Paul identified the gospel he preached as “my gospel” (Romans 2.16, 16.25; 1 Timothy 2.8; Galatians 2.2). Do you find anyone else preaching Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead for salvation apart from Paul? That gospel was unknown before Paul.
2. Paul was baptized because he was saved under the gospel of the kingdom. Immmediately afterward he proclaimed that gospel (Acts 9.20). The risen Lord had not yet revealed “Paul’s gospel.”
3. Acts was written for Jews to explain why the promised kingdom (Matthew 6.10) did not come. It began in hope and ended in tragedy. Paul went to Jews first and when they rejected the gospel turned to Gentiles (Acts 13, 18, 28). Once Acts ends he never went to Jews first (Ephesians 3.1).
4. Peter addressed only Jews (Acts 2.5, 14, 22, 29, 36, 39).
5. Water baptism was required for salvation under the gospel of the kingdom (Mark 1.4, 16.16; Acts 2.36-38). The Church is the body of Christ, in which Jew and Gentile are equal in Christ. No equality of Jew and Gentile existed under the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 10.5-6; Acts 10.28, 11.19). No one mentions the body of Christ but Paul. It is wholly a Pauline revelation.
6. Water baptism was valid for a time. By the time Paul wrote Ephesians it had ended (Ephesians 4.5). Paul knew it would end soon from what he wrote in 1 Corinthians 1.14-17.
7. The “great commission” was given to Jews (Matthew 28.16-20). None of the Twelve were Gentiles. Since the call of Abraham God had no program to bless Gentiles apart from Israel.
You have a choice. Remain enslaved to tradition or believe the Scriptures. Believe me, the latter is the way to go. Grace and peace.
Here are the facts, that you neglected to add.
Christ in the Great Commission included all people. The Gospel of the Kingdom (your words) would have been carried forward. This is based on the fact that Christ said it is finished. Meaning the Old Law was fulfilled. The New Covenant was started at his death and resurrection. In other words baptism would have still been a part of the New Covenant.
Peter preached the first sermon in Acts 2. Not just to Jews but also to those who were in Jerusalem.
The Epistles were sent to those particular local Churches of Believers such as the Church at Ephesus. When you put Ephesians 4:5 into context with 4:4 this then makes sense.
“There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,”
Now this simply means that; “just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call” outside the body of Christ you were called to join.
Then what after you were called and accepted the call; There was on Lord, which is Christ; one Faith, which is a belief that Christ is the Lord and the Son of God; one baptism, which is immersion into water to join him in the likeness of his death.
When you put the verses into the context that they are supposed to be, understand that the New Covenant started at Christ’s death, that the Book of Acts is not a transitional book it is the Acts of the Apostles, and understand that the Epistles are letters written to the believers then you will have an understanding of the word of God. I do not preach tradition I preach the Gospel according to Christ.
By the way if you study Galatians 1;1-10, you will understand that there was not a different Gospel given to Paul. In other words Paul preached what Christ taught the other Apostles.
Jim,
The “great commission” was given to the Eleven apostles by Christ. It concerned the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 4.23, 9.35, 24.14), the gospel Jesus and the Twelve had been proclaiming for 3 years. These are not my words, they are Christ’s. Read Acts 2 again. Peter addressed only Jews. Acts 2.5 makes it clear that what Peter means in Acts 2.14 are Jews. Paul revealed the one baptism that places us into the body of Christ, not Peter. What happened at Pentecost concerned the nation of Israel as fulfillment of the New Covenant given to Jews (read Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 36, Joel 2). All this was Jewish ground. The Church was unknown and unrevealed in the Old Testament. Acts was written to Jews to explain why the kingdom Christ preached did not come. If you read my article, Jesus vs. Paul you will discover they taught completely different messages. Jesus came to fulfill the Jewish promises (Romans 15.8). Jesus did not reveal in His earthly ministry the doctrines Paul taught. Jesus revealed the doctrines Paul proclaimed in His heavenly ministry. This was a whole new, unrevealed program. It was, in the words of Paul, “secret.”
Would you email me what Luke meant we he said Peter spoke to those afar off,in Acts 2 are 3 chapter.
I thought the far off ones was gentiles
Michael,
Peter spoke to Jews dispersed throughout the empire. See 1 Peter 1.1-2 and James 1.1. Gentiles were not in view.
Please i agree with Jim that the Book of Acts is the Acts of the Apostles. You said “Acts was written to Jews to explain why the kingdom Christ preached did not come.” Was Theophillus a Jew?
Chris,
We’re not told definitely but probably.
The arguments for either baptism make you study / divide the Word rightly and encourage you when understood properly. I had a lot of discussions with jews about Jesus being the Messiah and the more they countered with a combination of scripture and tradition the more my faith grew after finding insurmountable proofs from the Word that Jesus is indeed The Messiah !
Thanks for your tireless efforts and spot-on teachings . Amazing revelation that is easily understood.
As someone once said, “Nothing ever “occurred” to God. Acts 19.4ff gives the lie to this Reformed-only teaching you present. At the start of all four gospels, John is quoted as asserting that JESUS will baptize with the Holy Spirit. In Mt.16, Jesus DEFINES His Church as confessional. Jesus proclaims that he, Peter, will set the terms for His Church – no one else, which Peter does in Acts chapters 1 – 12 and 15.1-31, Jesus commands repentance and baptism for ALL nations at the end of each Gospel and clearly in Jn 3.5-7 and 20.29-31. So does Paul in Romans 6, conveniently obscured in ALL Reformed commentary. For the previous 14 centuries, it was “knowable” to all who could read or hear it. Circumcision is clearly the issue with Paul, NOT baptism.
Bill,
The Holy Spirit was a Jewish promise, the New Covenant. The Old Testament never mentions the Church, the body of Christ, nor is the Church ever mentioned in the Gospels. The word ἐκκλησία must be interpreted by context, and Jesus’ words to Peter meant a Jewish congregation. This is also clear in the only other use of ἐκκλησία in the Gospels, Matthew 18.17. What you seem to not understand is that everything Paul wrote, he received directly from the ascended Christ. In His earthly ministry, Jesus ministered to Jews under the Law, not to Gentiles, and certainly not to the Church, for it did not exist (Romans 15.8). Only Paul reveals and writes about the Church, the body of Christ. Peter, James, John, Jude never mention it. All Church doctrine comes from Paul. This is neither a Roman Catholic or Protestant truth. It is a Biblical truth.
Bill,
What is Paul telling us here?
2 Cor. 5
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
But Paul was also baptized. When he went to Ananaias. Jesus give instruction that he should baptize him.
Acts 9:18
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,
Ding,
Paul was saved under the gospel of the kingdom. Water baptism was required for salvation under this gospel (Acts 2.38). Read the further account of what Ananias said to Saul in Acts 22.16.
Hi Ding,
We cannot add law or rule on top of God’s grace without nullifying the gospel of His grace. Our foundation must be grace alone, not a mixture of grace and works. Water baptism is works. How many times have you heard that Water baptism is an outward sign of your inner reality. Not so.
“And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace” (Romans 11:6)
Did you know that we can nullify the message of grace in our own lives by our works? If we feel we must earn favor with God and do things to stay in that position, then we have annulled His grace for us. We have taken the grace of God and exchanged it for a performance based system of self righteousness. The problem with that is we will never be good enough on our own accord.
I believe that many well meaning people think they are saved because of their works forgetting the cross. Take care.
Wolves in sheeps clothing. Paul never contradicted Jesus. Paul preached to Jews. His hearts desire was that they would be saved. There are not 2 gospels. Ye do greatly err.
Felix,
What is the gospel? What must one believe for salvation?
Don,
Good luck getting the correct answer to that question. I’m thinking Felix will answer: Jn 3:16.
Felix, it’s the gospel of Grace– 1 Cor 15:1-4. Where was the G of G taught in M,M,L, or J? (The 12 didn’t even know about the resurrection) –John 20:8. & Luke 18:30+
The gospel the 12 taught was the Kingdom gospel–Who Jesus Christ was. Not what He did for us. What He did is called the G of G—“Paul’s” gospel
My bad
I should have done a better job of listing the chapters and verses to my comment above. I apologize.
If the 12 had known/believed re: in the resurrection, wouldn’t they have gone and waited for night fall that began the first day of the week. ? Would Peter have denied Christ 3 times? Paul’s gospel is believing in Christ’s work and resurrection. 1 Cor. 15:1-4
Luke 18–
31And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.
John 20–
8Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw, and believed. 9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
Isn’t it just as possible that Paul baptized only a few because it was not his main duty, and he simply had others take care of this ordinance? (cf John 4:2)
John explicitly wrote that Jesus’ disciples were baptizing, not Jesus Himself. The scriptures reveal nothing of Paul’s companions baptizing. We must stick with scripture.
“11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”
The scriptures reveal nothing of Paul’s companions baptizing? For starters doesn’t the actual context of 1 Cor 1:15 imply that Paul’s companions were baptizing? And what of the many scriptures where we clearly see that both Jew and Gentile converts of Paul were being baptized. Why would we impose the presupposition that this baptism could not have been done by Paul’s companions? Did Paul object to these baptisms, 1 Cor 1:15 was showing Paul’s concern over those boasting that they were baptized through an apostle….not objecting to being baptized though? Where in scripture do we see this clear teaching?
Shawn,
God sent John the Baptist to baptize (Mark 1.4). Jesus’ disciples baptized. Paul in his early ministry also baptized some. But Paul expressly stated that was not his mission and told the Corinthians God had not sent him to baptize but to proclaim the gospel (1 Corinthians 1.14-17). It is clear from Paul’s words in this passage that water baptism was not an important factor in his ministry. This was in vast contrast to what Jesus told the Eleven (Matthew 28.19-20), which continued the ministry of John the Baptist. By the time Paul wrote Ephesians, water baptism had ceased. Paul wrote one baptism existed, not water baptism but the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4.5). This baptism was a central doctrine of Paul. Believers become members of the Church, the body of Christ, through it. Believers are baptized in His death and in His resurrection. Water baptism is a human work. Spirit baptism is a divine work.
And 1 Cor 1:14-17 clearly stated why he refrained in his concern over believers boasting in “who” baptized them. It was not out of a concern that we should not baptize. It’s not clear that water baptism was not important but rather it was important to him that no one boasted by the merit of “who” did the baptizing.
Where in the scriptures can I find the clear statement that “By the time Paul wrote Ephesians, water baptism had ceased.”? Could you please give a chapter and verse? I am contending that the baptism that Paul’s companions and Paul himself did was not antithetical to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. If water baptism is a separate human work….why would Paul even allow it? Why would Paul not have clearly stated that the baptism that he and his companions performed was actually a human work that is obsolete and that no one should be baptized by water?
I mean Paul was quite clear when it came to calling out false teachings such as circumcision in the book of Galatians….why would we not find this issue of baptism also clearly dealt with?
Shawn,
The major point Paul made in 1 Corinthians 1.14-17 is “Christ sent me not to baptize but to proclaim the gospel.” Proclaiming the gospel was what was important, not water baptism. The only teaching Paul gave about baptism was about Spirit baptism. He doesn’t say a word about water baptism. Paul declared “one” baptism (Ephesians 4.5). This baptism places the believer in Christ and identifies us in His death and resurrection. One is one, not two. The reason water baptism is practiced is because churches do not distinguish between the ministry of the Twelve and Paul and because they do not recognize Paul’s clear statement of “one” baptism in Ephesians 4.5.
Well yes, if you limit your context to just 1 Cor 1:14-17 you are correct. However, if you look at the verses in context the “Major Point” is actually about division in the church. See 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 for the full context.
Proclaiming the gospel is of first priority….one would certainly not try to baptize until one believes the gospel.
Yes, Paul proclaimed one baptism….water baptism is not a different baptism. Paul was baptized in Act 9….why?
You didn’t answer my main question: Where in the scriptures can I find the clear statement that “By the time Paul wrote Ephesians, water baptism had ceased.”? Could you please give a chapter and verse?
Regarding why the church still baptizes is because they do not hold to the theory of two different gospels. The theory holds that Jesus and the Twelve had a different gospel than Paul.
Shawn,
What you are failing to understanding is that we have a progressive revelation. Things in Acts 9 (c. 37 A.D.) are not the same as they are when Paul wrote Corinthians (c. 57 A.D.) or Ephesians (60-62 A.D.). Spirit baptism is one baptism and water baptism is another baptism. John the Baptist baptized with water. Does that count as one or zero? Ephesians 4.5 is as clear a passage as could be written to disclose one baptism—the baptism of the Holy Spirit. If you will not accept this then words really have no meaning. Did Paul ever teach anything about the meaning of water baptism? As for the question of two gospels, this no theory. Paul went to Jerusalem in 51 A.D. and communicated his gospel to the Twelve. Why? They did not know it. Why the need for a Council if they were all teaching the same thing? The Twelve were not proclaiming faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection alone for salvation. The faith part of their gospel (the gospel of the kingdom) was to believe Jesus was the Christ. This was the salvation message of the gospels and it had continued. This was what Peter proclaimed at Pentecost. Read Acts 2-3. Did Peter declare Christ died for their sins and rose for their salvation? Not once. Paul’s gospel was unknown and this can be demonstrated by many, many Scriptures. The problem is tradition. People love tradition more than the Scriptures and refuse to believe what the Bible says.
Water baptism goes clear back to Exodus, which we know by studying.
Who was Israel to God? Ex. 19:3-6.
What did a priest have to do to be identified to the Lord, as per his Word to them? Ex. 29:4-7.
They had to be washed with water and announced with oil. Oil being a type of the Holy Spirit.
In Matthew 3:11 there are three baptisms in one verse!
1. Water for repentance.
2. Holy Ghost for anointing.
3. Fire for judgement of Israel, to purge the nation of unbelievers.
Dan. 11:35 which I believe, is yet future.
What happened when Jesus was baptized? Matt. 3:16… He was also anointed. Jesus in the flesh was a Jew and…Rom. 15:8.
Rom. 9-11 Paul explains his Acts ministry. Rom. 11:11-14.
Particularly Romans 11:14 KJV — If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
The three accounts of Paul baptizing are in Acts 16:14,15, Acts 16:26-33, and Acts 18:8,9 Crispus was the chief ruler of the synagogue. These were all done to show the Jews that God was doing something new. He was also saving Gentiles, outside of their religion, which had never been done before.
If you read Acts 10 you will see Peter was given a vision and experience that showed him too that things were changing. Acts 10:45. This was new. Before they were baptized the Holy Ghost was upon them.
That is why Paul says in 1 Cor. 17:21-24. He came not to baptize.
Water baptism, was commanded by God to Israel for to identify them in the priesthood. Notice Rev.1:6.
There are 2 people’s for the Lord.
Israel’s earthly Kingdom remnant which began with the little flock, and has been put on hold Rom. 11:25-27, until the Body is full.
The Body is for heavenly places. Eph 1:3-12.
Water baptism today will surely get you wet, but that is all. We are saved by the gospel of the grace of God.
It is Christ Jesus work on the cross, his burial, and resurrection that has saved us! Col. 2:11, 1 Cor. 15:1-4
We are not Israel. Nor were those things written to Gentiles. Ephesians. 2:11-13. Rom. 9:4,5.
The context of this discussion is knowing what God was doing “in times past”, and what he is doing today in the dispensation of the grace of God. “But now…”
“Paul went to Jerusalem in 51 A.D. and communicated his gospel to the Twelve. Why? They did not know it. Why the need for a Council if they were all teaching the same thing?”
Yes, it was the same thing. They extended the right hand of fellowship….not after being convinced of a “different” gospel, but rather when they recognized that Paul had the SAME gospel, but to the gentiles.
“7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.”
Doctrine wrote: “Did Peter declare Christ died for their sins and rose for their salvation? Not once. Paul’s gospel was unknown and this can be demonstrated by many, many Scriptures. The problem is tradition. People love tradition more than the Scriptures and refuse to believe what the Bible says.”
Yes Peter did….see the context of Acts 2! And no, I am not disagreeing with the two gospel hyper dispensational theory on the basis of “tradition” but rather based on what the Bible says.
Shawn,
1. Can you provide any Scripture to show salvation was by faith alone before Paul?
2. Read Acts 15.1, 5. That is not faith alone. Circumcision and keeping the Mosaic Law are works.
3. Why did Paul need to explain his gospel if they were proclaiming the same thing?
4. Please provide the verse in Acts 2 where Peter tells the Jews that they must believe Christ died for their sins and rose from the dead to be saved.
5. Why did Peter state in Acts 15.11 that Jews had to be saved like Gentiles when for 2,000 years Gentiles had to be saved like Jews?
The reason you do not see the obvious, that Paul proclaimed a gospel that was previously a secret, which the Scriptures explicitly state (Romans 16.25, Ephesians 6.19), is because you do not want to see it. How many times did Paul write, “unto me” and “my gospel.” He didn’t write “unto Peter” or “unto the Twelve” or “the gospel the Twelve and I preach.” How in the world could the gospel be a “secret” if it was known to Peter and the Twelve? It is impossible unless one rejects the text for tradition.
Sorry to bump into this thread as well,
1. Genesis 15:6 – Salvation was always by faith. This was not invented with Paul. However, faith = obedience. “Faith alone” is an invention by Luther which is not even in the original text.
2. There is a difference between adhering to the Mosaic Law in order to be saved, and adhering to it out of faithful obedience. These people proclaimed the first, that one would only be saved if they got circumcised and kept the Torah. What is wrong with the latter? Don’t we all try to obey at least some of the Torah? Am I condemned for respecting my parents or abstaining from blood?
3. Because they had heard rumors and he proved they were wrong, I would guess. Same as those spreading around the rumors that Paul taught that the law was abolished (Acts 21) – which it isn’t, hence Paul still obeying the Law himself.
4. Acts 2:21-23, 30-32, 38 (alltogether) – Peter speaks of their belief in the Messiahs death and resurrection and that they should be immersed in his name in order to be saved.
5. There is no ‘saved like Jews/ Gentiles’. There is only saved by faith accounted as righteousness. This is how Jews are saved, same as Gentiles.
Isn’t the mystery much more simple? There is a reason most Jews rejected the Savior. They would rather stick to their man-made rules (*not* Torah, but Oral Law, i.e. rules for handwashing and so on) because they think they can save themselves through their works. But the secret of the Gospel is that man is saved by his faith and by God’s grace and favor, not by his (man’s) works. That Messiah himself would act as the sacrificial lamb to cover the sins of all those who believe in him – the stumbling stone. The Twelve were witnesses to the Jews, Paul was a teacher of the Gospel to the Gentiles. It’s ‘Paul’s’ Gospel because he is the one laying the Scriptural foundation and witnessing to the nations. He was the one who travelled all over the place to bring the Good News. It was also distinctly *his* because he was first to strategically and actively bring it to the Gentiles. I agree on that. But I don’t see how it would be a different Gospel. All are saved by faith, Torah doesn’t make man right, and the true children of Elohim are not those by birthright (“Jews”), but those of belief.
Hope this makes sense, I’m no expert, but praying to understand. I’m not here to teach or discuss, but work out my own faith.
God Bless:)
Carokpf,
Salvation by faith alone was unknown before Paul which is why there had to be a Jerusalem Council. See The Great Hinge, Faith vs. Works in James. Paul wrote that his gospel was a secret. No one knew it before the risen Lord revealed it to him. Jesus taught God’s prophetic program (Romans 15.8) in His earthly ministry. After He ascended, He created a whole new program, the Church, and gave Paul all its doctrines. The Church is wholly absent in the OT and Gospels (the Gospels are Old Testament).
Doctrine wrote: “The reason you do not see the obvious, that Paul proclaimed a gospel that was previously a secret, which the Scriptures explicitly state (Romans 16.25, Ephesians 6.19), is because you do not want to see it.” Well no, sorry that’s a logical fallacy for you to simply ascribe an imaginary agenda on my part for not agreeing with your arguments. Romans 16 and Ephesians 6 reference to the mystery, does not mean that it was a different gospel. Actually Ephesians 3 states the mystery “6 This mystery is[a] that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.”
Where does Paul write “unto me” in the scriptures in the way in which you are inferring? For you to make the assertion that if I don’t agree with you unless I “reject the text for tradition” is ridiculous. Where in our dialogue have I argued from anything other than the scriptures and argue for “tradition”?
Shawn,
Ephesians 6.19 reads: “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the secret of the gospel.” If Paul stated the gospel was a secret, why do you insist it wasn’t? Here are two questions: 1) How were people saved during Jesus’ earthly ministry? 2) Where in Acts 2, or 3, or 10 does Peter tell his audiences to believe Christ died for their sins and rose from the dead for salvation?
BTW…you didn’t answer my questions:
1. Where does Paul write “unto me” in the scriptures in the way in which you are inferring?
2. Where in our dialogue have I argued from anything other than the scriptures and argue for “tradition”?
Shawn,
I shouldn’t have to give these to you. If you are interested in learning you can look them up: Romans 12.3, 15.15-16; 1 Corinthians 3.10, 9.16-17; Galatians 2.7, 9; Ephesians 3.1-3, 7-9, 6.19; Colossians 1.25; Titus 1.3; 2 Peter 3.15. All these passages state Paul received that which God had not given to the Twelve. When you argue that there has only been one gospel, that Peter and Paul preached the same gospel, you are arguing from tradition. There is no Biblical support for this position. Paul received many new revelations which the Twelve knew nothing about (2 Corinthians 12.7). Peter stated this in his last letter (2 Peter 3.15-16). The Church, the body of Christ, was only one. See my article, Paul’s “Mystery”. Another article, Paul: Chief of Sinners? shows God began the Church with Paul. All Church doctrine comes from Paul. I’m not going to argue with you. The Scriptures are clear. You can believe them or reject them. Since you seem unwilling to answer my questions, I do not think this conversation is beneficial.
Actually I did answer your original 5 questions. For some reason it still hasn’t been approved through moderation. I can repost if something went technically wrong. I am engaging in an honest respectful debate and I did not ignore any of your questions. I think this kind of debate is beneficial. Let me know what you decide with the answers I provided and if you are willing to address my answers.
Shawn,
I read what you wrote but did not post because your responses did not answer the questions. That is why I rephrased the question and asked you how one was saved in the gospels and asked again for you to provide evidence Peter told his audiences to believe Christ died for their sins and rose from the dead for salvation. You will not answer these questions. Paul stated in Ephesians 6.19 that his gospel was a secret. If it was a secret it was not proclaimed before him. Either Paul was telling the truth or lying. So which is it? I explain all this in Paul: Chief of Sinners?, Paul’s “Mystery”, and The Great Hinge. I know all the arguments regarding one gospel and that Peter and Paul preached the same thing. The problem is they have no Scriptural support. Such a view falls apart upon examination because Paul declared what he taught was secret. It was not known before him. This is what the vast majority in Christendom refuse to recognize. How many sermons have you heard on Paul’s secrets? Likely none because tradition won’t’ allow it. That’s the problem. The traditions of men have supplanted the Scriptures, even as they had in Jesus’ day.
Shawn,
Paul says my gospel 3 times…
Rom. 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Rom. 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
2 Tim. 2:7 Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
1 Tim. 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Corinthians 4:16 KJV — Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV — Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
Philippians 3:17 KJV — Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
I appreciate the information you have presented here.
In your response to b wellskopf, you said that the scriptures reveal nothing of Paul’s companions baptizing. In Acts 8 where it relates that Philip was preaching in Samria it says in verse 12, But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God an the anme of Jesus Christ, they ere baptized, both men and women. Later in verse 15 it says the Peter and John prayed for the new belivers so that they would receive the Holy Spirit because they had not received the Holy Spirit yet because they were only baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
From this scripture it would seem that Philip was performing water baptisms. Why? It also seems to indicate that Peter and John expected them to receive the Holy Spirit through baptism, but they didn’t because it was not performed correctly, which would add an emphasis on how someone should be baptised.
I would appreciate your thoughts on this scripture. Thanks.
Ron,
Water baptism was part of the prophetic kingdom program beginning with John the Baptist. The Twelve baptized as did Phillip. Peter declared in Acts 2.38 that water baptism was essential for salvation. Paul was saved and baptized under this program (Acts 9.18). Acts is a transitional book. The transition was from the kingdom program of John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Twelve to the grace only program which the ascended, glorified Christ gave to Paul (Acts 9.15; Romans 11.13). Jesus and the Twelve ministered to Jews under the Law. Paul ministered (primarily) to Gentiles apart from the Law. In 1 Cor. 1.14-17 we learn that Paul had already begun to abandon water baptism. His orders were to preach Christ crucified and risen. This was written probably about 55-57 AD. By the time we come to Ephesians, about 62 AD, Paul had abandoned water baptism for he declared in Ephesians 4.5 “one baptism.” This was clearly not water baptism but the baptism of the Holy Spirit who places believers of Paul’s gospel (1 Corinthians 15.1-4) into the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12.13). In the Acts 8 passage, it appears that at this point (remember Acts is transitional) the Holy Spirit was given under the authority of the the Twelve. Phillip was not one of the Twelve. For believers today, water baptism is no longer appropriate. As soon as one believes the gospel (1 Cor. 15.1-4) one is baptized by the Holy Spirit and placed into the body of Christ. We must let the Scriptures lay themselves out in order. If one reads back Pauline doctrine into the gospels or the ministry of the Twelve theology becomes confused.
To me is not that obvious to come to that conclusion from bible alone, if you are to take only the bible and not assume that the water baptism doesn’t or it cannot include the spirit (what bible passage clearly states that the water baptism that Jesus preached didn’t include the spirit?)
For example in the bible in several places you see that every time that god’s starts a new creation it starts by water and spirit.
-Genesis 1.2. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
-Genesis 6.8 Noah, the flood and the dove that returned (symbolizing the spirit)
-Exodus 14. Israel crossing the sea with the cloud guiding them (spirit)
-Ezequiel 36-25. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
-Mark 1- 10. John the Baptist announces that Jesus baptism is in spirit (so far no reason for it not to be from water and Spirit)
-John 3.5. Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
So not sure where in the bible is shown that Paul is talking about a baptism that doesn’t include water? And why?
So far the reason you gave is not biblical is your opinion when you mentioned
“What kind of baptism was Paul teaching in these passages? Did he mean water baptism or spiritual baptism? Let the reader ask himself the following questions. Can water baptism identify us into the death of Christ? Can it identify us in Christ’s resurrection? Can it cause us to walk in newness of life? Can a work of man do these things? These works are beyond the capability of man; they are of God. “
Rafael,
I think the best answer I can give is to simply state what Paul declared in Ephesians 4.5. Water baptism was on the way out when Paul wrote the Corinthians (c. 57 A.D). By the time he wrote Ephesians (c. 62) it had ended.
To start with if only we would have listened to John the Baptist we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now..john came teaching that Jesus would come baptizing withe the holy ghost and fire…he said that Jesus would increase and I will decrease..when the scripture said arise and (be) baptized wash away your sins calling on the name of the lord..it means that the same Jesus who John told us that would baptize us with the holy ghost was the one true Baptizer which man can not do!! But by repenting and calling on his nam(Jesus) you were baptized with the Holy ghost and placed into the body of christ..just remember (SINGULAR) ONE BAPTISM and Jesus is the baptizer!!..buried with him in his baptizim of his death on the cross we rose again to a new life in christ..God bless the saints and bring us all to understanding of your word.
Joe,
Paul wrote there is one baptism (Ephesians 4.5). That is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is not valid. We are baptized by the Spirit, placed in the body of Christ, identified in His death and resurrection, not by repenting and believing in His name but by believing the gospel, Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15.1-4).
Hi, I share the same Mid-Acts view (Acts 9) and once held a “no water” position. But I have since changed that position, not that water has anything to do with salvation, Paul makes that VERY CLEAR. But what do any of yall think about this article?
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/p/water.html
I am not trying to start a fuss, I am still open to moving to a “no water position” if the scriptures convince me.
Hoss,
I do not think the article makes a strong case for water baptism. The Scriptures are clear that water baptism was a Jewish rite that lessened in importance as Paul’s ministry to Gentiles matured. By the time Paul wrote Ephesians 4 he had abandoned water baptism and viewed the baptism of the Holy Spirit as the only valid baptism for Christians. If water baptism were important Paul would have told us so. Sadly, if you could pick a subject which divides believers, it is water baptism. Why cling to it?
Well, I don’t reckon I was trying to convince an argument for why anyone should get baptized. I agree that the argument to water baptize is weak, but I see that Paul did it and I don’t think I have seen a passage that tells us to stop (as seen in the article). If Eph. 4:5 is saying that there is “one baptism” for us and all others are outside the will of God and not meant for us, then the same is true for the “one faith”. It is the faith OF Christ that saves us and that would be the faith that Eph. 4 is talking about. But does that mean we should not have faith IN Christ? Paul talks about other faiths, so I don’t think Eph. 4 is an all inclusive list, but rather those things in a spiritual since, those things which are a part of salvation. I believe in the practice of water baptism on the basis of this verse.
Phil. 4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
I don’t see where Paul banned water baptism, as seen in the article. I believe in it because Paul did it, then made the statement in Phil. 4:9, and never banned it. I have no biblical meaning for it, but I ASSUME it pictures the remission of sins.
That puts me in a situation where the “Baptist” think I’m a nut and the “Grace Movement” thinks I’m a nut, (We all have nutty things though). The important thing to realize is that we are complete in Christ at the moment of salvation. You can’t biblically put emphasis on water baptism because Paul did not.
In other words, I don’t care much one way or the other, and I am more interested in the truth than tradition.
Hoss,
My only point is why do something that “might” be alright when we know what is right? What benefit is there to water baptism compared to the baptism by the Holy Spirit?
None. Just like there is no benefit to communion compared to what Christ actually did i.e. His death on the cross. I don’t care much one way or the other, wet or dry. (as long as it is acknowledged that it has no spiritual significance)
Thanks for the input.
Hoss,
The difference, however, is Paul received specific instruction from the Lord about keeping the Lord’s supper. This was not true of water baptism.
By believing that Baptism is required for salvation, you’re saying that a ‘work’ is required and that Jesus’ death was not sufficient. The Jews were required to be Baptized for the remission of sins. We’re not, so why do it?
Brian,
Water baptism was required for salvation under the gospel of the kingdom (Mark 1.4, 16.16; Acts 2.36-38). Works were required for salvation before Paul’s gospel but Christ’s death on the cross is the basis of salvation. Without it no salvation would be possible. Salvation is based upon doing what God has revealed. In the OT it was faith + works. With Paul, it is faith + 0. For the Church, the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12.1) is the only baptism (Ephesians 4.5). Church perform water baptism today because the err in not knowing the Scriptures.
Dear Sir: I have been very curious about the differing positions of baptism as of late. I have friends in the infant baptism camp and more friends in the believers baptism immersion camp. I was baptized as a child, my wife as a believer with her family and my kids I believe to be believers yet not received any baptism for which we are deep in study contemplating what direction to go. In view of the divisiveness of this topic, I began to wonder if we were all getting it wrong to where I was literally contemplating the position you have seemingly have held onto firmly until I see this information suggesting that believers before Paul’s gospel could not be saved without water baptism. This is to suggest therefore that believers in Christ after His resurrection could only receive salvation as grace in Christ is supplemented by an act and for this, I now believe that you have headed on an incorrect path. Your argument for this very new viewpoint that is not supported by any is based on evidence that works righteousness was legit before Paul’s gospel and I completely and totally disagree. Paul’s gospel that he received was not intended to be different than the other apostles, but rather was enunciated as having been received by God in order to confirm that God did indeed speak to Paul in revelation in that this matched the other Apostles which thereby confirmed Paul to be an apostle. With your new teaching on this topic that so differs from so many great teachers is suggesting that you are claiming higher authority than the apostles who have been studied for centuries by many teachers and abided by…your teachings do not match. I am still concerned that there is such division over this topic, but it may come down to God pointing to one correct and one false which could be Him telling the infant baptism camp that when we are saved by Grace and when one identifies with God in this way, they can publically proclaim the beauty of this by baptism by immersion…and that an infant baptism should take more of a form of infant dedication where there is only value in affirming in their parents and the congregation that prayers for the child will be great for the salvation and future public demonstration of such in a simple baptism. Maybe you can share with me other teachers who teach the same as yourself? Do you have many prominent teachers who are similar? Can you share names? If you are on your own in too many respects, you could be treading on thin ice…I will pray deeply for this that God will illuminate you, myself and all in earshot to truths and will do so with circumstances that will point to Him and His truth. Thanks
Greg,
In spiritual matters, the majority are always wrong. Read 1 Kings 22. Great story. Stay with the Scriptures, not men. If you have objections to the view I present, support them with the Scriptures. Read Mark 1.4, 16.16, John 3.5, Acts 2.38, 22.16 regarding the necessity of water baptism in the gospel of the kingdom. Demonstrate from Scripture that Peter proclaimed Paul’s gospel, 1 Corinthians 15.1-4, in Acts 2. If you can’t you need to rethink your position. Again, the majority are ALWAYS wrong. Read 1 Kings 18. Another great story! Water baptism has no place in Christianity today. Read Ephesians 4.5. ONE Baptism, not two or three. One. And it’s not water.
I wholeheartedly disagree with the idea that because you have a majority of Christians thinking one way that this is necessarily wrong. This is indeed unbiblical in and of itself. In fact, this is the sentiment that started Mormonism, JW, the worldwide church of Christ…they all seemed to sway different and I believe different to be unique and special and to find a following that focuses on them and not God. For this, I am researching this area through servants who are demonstrating fruits of the spirit of pointing towards God, His Scriptures and potentially towards others who abide by them the same as this demonstrates a humility of pointing away from themselves, more towards God and those who historically truly seek Him and more likely towards the truth. Your key mistake in your ideas are that believers immediately before Paul’s ministry were saved by works and grace. Now your second mistake is the suggestion that just because something is mainstream, it must be false…this is a completely unbiblical mentality in itself. The only thought I would suggest that lines up with this thinking is for those many who are not believers who tend towards the flesh and immorality who for eons have been the many where those of us who pursue holy living where our gaze is upon the King will typically be the few unless God chooses to send revival. In this light, those who attempt to pursue something within the Christian camp to be different may indeed find themselves in line with the majority world’s ways in that the world has folks who want the focus towards themselves…Sorry, just being candid. So, again, tell me some other sources that would find agreement to your views? Do you have any? Thanks Greg
Greg,
Think. Use your brain. What do the Scriptures say? Read them, not what men say about them. I’m not alone but I am in the minority. You might want to read materials by the Berean Bible Society. Or Les Feldick. Your response is self-righteous but the main problem is you provide no Scripture to back it. It’s just, well, the majority disagrees. So what? They always do.
OK. so readers and author recognize this last reply that encourages me to use my brain and to become humble in reply to the things I have stated. How did I exemplify not using my brain or a lack of humility? I humbly find semblance of truth in many other really wise humble theologians and humbly submit cause to trend away from my potential for feeble understanding as just a man with experiences that can taint true biblical understanding. This discourse should be cause for serious gut checking and heart inspection. I now lean towards the most validity in those churches who might have a baby dedication not for tradition sake but for the sake of encouraging the family and congregation to truly pray and teach that child. And a free will gesture for those who are indeed in Christ because they were taught and prayed for who want to declare that Christian living and holiness found in the gospel that buries self and sin at the cross then finds life in being raised with Christ …in the form of a simple communication method of baptism is the very best way! the church just after Christ and before Paul who were encouraged to be baptized for salvation are to be considered to be simply encouraged to trust Christ alone in the language of the day of which baptism was one of the primary letters or words in the language…that’s all. Nothing magic in the water. Just language that was used to both understand grace by faith alone and language to help explain it to a people transitioning from one covenant to another. Very simple. the reasons on this website make it much more complicated and thus seem to steer from truth.
Greg,
I understand your point but my focus is upon revealing what the Scriptures teach. Ephesians 4.5 states there is one baptism. One. What is it? Is it water or the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the baptism that brings the believer into union with Christ (1 Corinthians 12.13; Romans 6). It is the only valid baptism today. Christendom is obese with traditions with no Biblical basis. Remove these traditions and people can live healthy spiritual lives free from confusion. God has spoken plainly. The problem is that men want to add something to what God has said. Jesus condemned the religious professionals of His day for two things: self-righteousness and tradition. Nothing has changed.
Greg,
There are plenty of small churches all over the world teaching what Don believes and teaches. The churches are usually small, without a lot of fanfare or flashy “programs,” reason being, again, they are small, but, more importantly, they focus on God’s Word, often teaching verse-by-verse fashion. My pastor always goes through a book verse by verse on Wednesday nights. Right now he’s teaching Romans “chapter by chapter” I’ll say, on Sunday mornings. Verse by verse teaching as opposed to topical is real work for a pastor. He can’t avoid the hard stuff, he has to really study. That’s why you’ll find most pastors who teach this way end up believing as Don and I do. It’s the natural end result when you practice 2 Tim 2:15, STUDYING to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of truth, which enables true appreciation of 2 Tim 3:16, All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. Don is right. As long as Satan is the god of this world, the truth will be suppressed and must be prayed for and diligently studied for—-most pastors and congregations are not going there. Mine does. Here’s where truth is taught in my little corner of the world: https://youtube.com/channel/UC6iick1cBiDAIIb8cJmoJOQ
The problem is, as I see it, all preachers think they are ‘rightly dividing’. It’s like politics. The right thinks they are right and left the same. Some are more literal some are more figurative and I think some don’t care…it’s a job/career with a retirement in large denominations.
Alicia, I too have found a grace teaching church also in Alabama. Grace River Community church. It is also a small congregation and the word righty divided is preached and taught in Sunday school. I was a Baptist for well over 29 years, taught Sunday school and was leader of a woman’s ministry. I began to feel very confused and discontent, like I was missing something and started to search the scriptures. I found Les Feldick’s through the Bible and my eyes were opened. From there I found this site and also the Berean Bible studies. II have tried to share rightly dividing the Word with a few pastors and this has not been well received. I praise God every day for people like Les Feldick and Don Samdahl who have devoted their lives to studying and sharing God’s truth with us. I continue to pray God will open doors for me to help others see. Yes, there is truly a remnant and that is so sad. Tradition and denominations are great hinderances to seeing truth.
I have made comments already on this…I have worn bibles out over close to 30 years studying God’s Word and upon rehashing the Biblical communications to do with baptism towards the Jewish believers then toward the gentiles, I see differences but do not see justification for suggestions that no room for baptism today. Israelites performed washings, offerings and ceremony and to them, language used referencing this baptism which seems to insinuate that the dunking in water necessary for salvation I completely disagree. I believe that evidence in a wholistic picture of what is going on here to point to a final washing of sin, rebirth into a new covenant and salvation by grace through faith alone was communicated best using the letters and words, if you will, that reference the idea of water baptism that best articulate logic in sentences that describe the gospel of grace alone by faith alone to the ears of the new Christian Israelites. And as far as Paul in 1 Cor. 1:12 and on, this is absolutely not justification for the idea of this same symbolistic baptism coming to an end. Look at these verses in context…There became division just like we have denominational division today. When Paul asks,”Was Paul crucified for you?” the obvious answer is that no indeed, but rather Christ was. The following question,”Or were you baptized in the name of Paul” The obvious answer that follows logically is that no indeed, but instead those believers were baptized in the name of Christ. Therefore Paul argues that Christ did not call him to baptize but to preach not to suggest that baptism is no longer valid but to suggest that baptism by him as an apostle who was well recognized could be a distraction from the real reason for baptism which is that it is simple a symbol of the majestic gift from God of His Son. It is a great depiction of what occurs when we are regenerated from the old man to the new found in Christ! Taking steps away from ideas incorporated in baptism I believe is very thin ice and dangerously steering gteh boat away from God and His Word. I have spent a week studying and praying through this topic and this is my honest conclusion.
Greg,
With all due respect, your study and prayer do not line up with Scripture. If words mean anything, Paul stated there was ONE baptism (Ephesians 4.5). One is one, not two. Do you believe there is more than one Lord, more than one faith? Water baptism was valid during God’s dealing with Israel (washings), during John the Baptist and Jesus’ earthly ministry, with the Twelve, and in the early part of Paul’s ministry. In the gospel of the kingdom water baptism was required for salvation (Mark 1.4, 16.16, John 3.5, Acts 2.38, 22.16). But that ended. We know it was on the way out from what Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1 (and water baptism was never a requirement for salvation under Paul’s gospel). By the time Paul wrote the Ephesians, it was over. This is not complicated. The Scriptures are straightforward. The problem, once again, is tradition. Christians have been so brainwashed that baptism always means water they cannot think of it in any other terms. The only baptism, the GREAT baptism is 1 Corinthians 12.13 and Romans 6. It is bone dry.
Another great article. So glad I found your site. I a going to try to read through all of your articles so pardon me if I have questions or if I make a comment at the end. I very much appreciate your input. I believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit as well but have heard many churches or people say that as believers it is good to do a full water immersion baptism as a proclamation to the world that we are now part of the Body of Christ and that He has cleansed us from our sins. Thoughts on that? Thanks
Linda,
Water baptism has ceased. The only legitimate baptism for the Church today is baptism of the Holy Spirit who baptizes us into Christ (1 Corinthians 12.13 cf. 1 Corinthians 1.14-17; Ephesians 4.5). Water baptism continues to be performed because of one of two reasons: ignorance or disobelience.
Thank you. I understand it has ceased and although it is not necessary for salvation you think it is not a good idea to do it as a proclamation either? I did it before but that was before I really understood the meaning but many churches just encourage it not for salvation but just because Jesus did it and they want to tell the world hey i am a Christian now and I follow Christ who cleansed me of all unrighteousness. Thoughts?
Linda,
I think we can proclaim our faith in Christ apart from water baptism. Because of the Scriptures I cited I do not think it is right for Christians today.
Quick question hope you can help me with it.
I understand that we are all born spiritually dead so in order to become spiritually alive we must believe in the gospel of grace and the Holy Spirit will indwell in us correct? So how was it in the old testament? was the holy spirit sent to them as well? I thought that was only after Jesus resurrection that He was able to send the comforter(Holy Spirit), so how did He tell Nicodemus that he needed to be water baptized and be born again of the Spirit if Jesus had not left. How could the people get the Holy spirit then if Jesus was still on earth. What am I missing to understand this concept.
Linda,
In the OT, the Holy Spirit came upon certain individuals (artisans, prophets, kings) for certain periods of time. For example, the Holy Spirit left Saul and David prayed He would not leave him after his sin with Bathsheba (Psalm 51.11). At Pentecost, He permanently indwelt believers. And with Paul we have the additional truth of Christ indwelling us (Colossians 1.27).
Great article!
So you believe, then, that the Holy Spirit permanently indwelt the believers at Pentecost? Was not Pentecost merely a continuation of the OT program, where the Spirit would indwell them temporarily for a specific purpose?
The goings-on in Acts 2 seem very different than what Paul speaks of, when he talks about us in the body of Christ being sealed with the Spirit.
On a related note, do you agree with the idea that the indwelt saints at Pentecost were unable to sin?
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this.
Grace Receiver,
Pentecost was the beginning of the fulfillment of Jeremiah 31.31 in which the Holy Spirit would permanently indwell Jews. We have no indications of sin but it was possible as is evidenced by Ananias and Sapphira. God dealt with this immediately as He will in the Kingdom economy (rule them with a rod of iron).
I was first immersed in a baptist church,then in a UPC baptismal and it was told to me that I wasn’t saved until I was and spoke in tongues too. Yet it was in the nazerene church altar I was overwhelmed in my body with a glorious experience saying only Hallelujah. Over and over…I have never seen that happen to anyone else yet the UPC refused to believe that was the Holy Spirit…what do you say. ” and they saw that the Holy Spirit had come upon them…the word is “saw”.
Only one baptism is valid today (Ephesians 4.5) and that is experience when one believes the gospel (1 Corinthians 15.1-4). We are saved solely by believing Christ died for us and rose from the dead. At that point God baptizes us into the Church, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12.13).
I believe most people are baptized when they are new Christians who have been fed “milk” and not “meat”. In most cases, such as mine, one has to become the “hunter” who searches for the “meat”. Too many churches continually feed us nothing BUT “milk”!
After reading, I have some question, if Baptism is not absolutely required for gentiles salvation which is the body of Christ, why peter baptized Cornelius. I agree with the word of God saying salvation is only by faith. I believe it is the outward testimony of my salvation and baptism is not my salvation
Acts is a record of a transitional program. Both the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of the grace of God were operational from the time of Paul’s salvation until Acts 15.11. Peter baptized Cornelius because water baptism was required for salvation under the gospel of the kingdom. That’s all Peter knew. He knew nothing of Paul’s doctrine of salvation by faith alone. Paul baptized early in his ministry but had stopped water baptism by the time he wrote Ephesians 4 (about 60-62 A.D.).
Above you can see where I was a “Baptist” and commented on your post.
I just wanted to let you know that I and my Baptist pastor are now fully persuaded that water baptism is not for us. He is teaching it to our church and it should not be a problem as the congregation already believes that the body of Christ started with Paul and that Acts was transitional.
Just letting you know, keep up the great work! –Bro. Hoss
Hoss,
Thank you, as always, for your encouraging words. I know Baptists are not creedal congregations but the Nicene creed declares, “We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.” As believers, we can affirm this. The “one baptism” (Ephesians 4.5) is Paul’s revelation of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, Who baptizes us into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12.13). May God bless your church and your pastor. It is primarily through the doctrines of Paul that we can grow into mature believers.
You are WRONG. WATER Baptism was, is, and always will be a Commandment. It is a PHYSICAL manifestation of your Faith. Demons operate -through the ego- in the Physical realm.
JC,
Do you have Scripture to support your statement?
JC,
There are problems with making water baptism a “commandment” for this dispensation. Read this post and look at the last two points–they are on water baptism.
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/25-reasons-why-body-of-christ-did-not.html
Christ didn’t tell Paul to baptize (1 Cor. 1:17). That is why Paul could thank God that he had baptized so few of the Corinthians–it wasn’t a commandment he received from Christ and so he really didn’t care about baptism (1 Cor. 1:14-16).
In this dispensation we don’t have physical manifestations of our faith (such as water baptism, circumcision, etc.). Read Colossians 2:6-23 and Ephesians 4:1-6. (KJV http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/kjv/browse.html )
Blessings! –Eli “Hoss” Caldwell
Eli “Hoss” Caldwell,
Read 1 Corinthians in the proper context.
In the Church at Corinth there was a division in the Church there. Paul was saying that he was “Glad that no one was Baptized his name.” Also he was happy that because he didn’t baptized anyone except Crispus and Gaius, who were of the church at Corinth, he couldn’t be used in who follow who.
He followed Christ. And what Christ commanded in the Great Commission.
In Romans 6:3-5; “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
How can you be baptized into his death unless by being buried into water (which is proclaimed throughout the Bible)? Do you get put into a grave with dirt covering you? Nope.
Newness of life is the same as Christ said in John 3:5.
Jim,
Where in the world is water in Romans 6? Furthermore, not one Scripture every speaks of water baptism as “burial.” The baptism Paul revealed was the baptism of the Holy Spirit who identifies believers into Christ’s death. As we are identified in His death so we are identified in His resurrection. Romans 6 is as dry as the Kalihari, not a Martini!
Again one must understand to who it is being addressed to. It is being addressed to the Church at Rome and when they were unbelievers.
Romans 6:What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
This does not speak of the Holy Spirit at all. Verse 4 speaks not of being baptized by the Holy Spirit at all. Did the Holy Spirit die on the Cross? Not at all. Christ did.
We were therefore buried with him by baptism into his death. We know for a fact that Christ died on the Cross and therefore this doesn’t speak of the Holy Spirit.
Ask yourself then how can we be baptized into his death? The answer is that by immersion in water which Christ spoke of in the Great Commission and Peter reemphasized at Pentecost.
By the way the Eunuch found water.
Jim,
The essential meaning of baptism is identification, not water. The Jews were baptized into Moses (1 Corinthians 10.1-2). They passed through the Red Sea dry. Not a drop of water was upon them. God views believers as identified with Christ in His death and in His resurrection. That is what Paul taught in Romans 6. Romans 6 has nothing to do with water baptism. As I wrote earlier, Paul placed little importance on water baptism and wrote in Ephesians 4.5 there was only one baptism–baptism by the Holy Spirit. That baptism is the only one that counts. Water baptism is a work of man; Spirit baptism is a work of God. Which is greater? Confusion comes when one tries to equate what Jesus told the Eleven in the great commission with what He revealed to Paul. These were two totally separate, different programs. Separate them and you have order. Mix them and the result is confusion (which is where 99% of Christendom is).
The confusion is on your part. Confusion happens when one takes verses out of context as such as I am seeing in your posts.
The very fact that you are reading into the scriptures that there are two Gospels is wrong.
Paul did not receive a different Gospel for the Gentile. There is one body and one Christ.
Paul received his training from Christ in Arabia. He was taught exactly what the other 12 were.
In Galatians 1: 11-12; he states that no man taught him but he received it from Christ himself.
Who did the other 12 Apostles receive their training from? Christ himself.
So why would Christ teach Paul a different Gospel than the one that he taught the other 12. He wouldn’t. That would cause a division in the Church.
Please before you cause anymore confusion, study the Bible. Put the verses in the proper context. Quit cherry picking part of the verses. Understand who the books were for, the trials they were having.
By the way there were 12 Apostles. You are forgetting Matthais, who was chosen after Judas. Paul was number 13
Jim,
Read Galatians 2.7. How many gospels are there? Do you ever find Peter or the 12 preaching Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead? Read Matthew 28.16 again. There are 11 disciples, not 12. Matthias was chosen later. Paul was not 13. He was 1. He was an apostle of an entirely different order. He did not meet the qualifications set forth when Matthias was chosen, was not converted until several years later, was given a whole new set of doctrines the 12 had no knowledge of and was the apostles of the Gentiles while the 12 where apostles to Israel (Galatians 2.7-9). I provided 7 specific answers with Scriptures to each of your objections. Since you have not responded to these I conclude tradition is dearer to you than the Scriptures.
Thank you!! For years, I was robbed of the joy of assurance in my salvation because of this water baptism issue… Only when I really got into Paul’s teachings did I understand better about Christ, the cross, the Holy Spirit, righteousness and DEAD WORKS!!
Well I really hope more people get to see this article, it’s SO important.
Wonderful!
Is it therefore a sin to receive or preform water baptism or simply a worthless tradition?
God Bless all here,.
William,
Since Paul stated in Ephesians 4 there was one baptism I think water baptism is not a part of correct Christian activity. Baptism for Christians is a work wholly of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus commanded it and that’s enough for me. No amount of human reasoning to the contrary could persuade me to believe otherwise. If we have faith in Jesus then we will do all that He has commanded. In John 14:15 Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My
commandments.” In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus also said, “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. [Don’t know whether this will be published but that’s what Jesus said/commanded.]
Thomas,
Jesus spoke the words you cite to Jews under the Mosaic Law in His earthly ministry. Jesus had no ministry to Gentiles during His time on earth. Water baptism was necessary for salvation under the gospel of the kingdom. After his resurrection, Jesus spoke to the apostle Paul from heaven concerning His Church, the body of Christ. Paul declared there is ONE baptism–the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For your position to be valid water baptism performed by human hands is greater than baptism by the Holy Spirit. Thus, the choice is to go by Jesus’ words to Jews in His earthly ministry or Jesus’ words to Paul regarding the Church in His heavenly ministry.
Doctrine,
Didn’t Matthew 28:19 take place after the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Therefore those words weren’t part of his “earthly” ministry as you say. You stated Jesus was talking to Jews in Matthew 28:19, that’s right the disciples were Jews. However, when he said “make disciples of ALL nations, baptizing them….” Was he only referring to Jewish nations when he said ALL nations?
Jason,
The OT prophetic plan based on the Abrahamic covenant was that Israel would be a blessing to Gentiles. So the “great commission” was part of this program. But before this could happen, Israel and to repent. The Lord gave the order of evangelism in Acts 1.8. But Israel would not repent. This is why the apostles refused to leave Jerusalem and evangelize Gentiles even as late as Acts 8.1. And in Acts 11.19 we read they evangelized only Jews. No OT plan existed to bless Gentiles apart from Israel. But God in His grace suspended judgment, saved Paul, and he became the channel of blessing Gentiles. That is why he called himself the apostle of the Gentiles (Romans 11.13). He referred to himself as one “untimely born” (1 Corinthians 15.8) because he was proxy/repentant Israel. He provided blessing to Gentiles that the nation was supposed to do but wouldn’t because they refused to repent. Israel will have another chance, however, and will fulfill their destiny after they repent (Zechariah 8.20-23).
Doctrine,
You said “the difference, however, is Paul received specific instruction from the Lord about keeping the Lord’s supper. This was not true of water baptism”.
Specific instruction, like a ritual of grape juice & crackers?
Jesus & the 12 had just finished the Jewish Passover meal, and then were engaging in the Jewish tradition of breaking bread, and drinking wine after a meal. (look it up, it is easy to prove).
The Corinthians were meeting together to eat meals, and apparently were abusing that which Paul had taught them.
Jesus, speaking spiritually in John 6.55, “For my flesh is meat inded, and my blood is drink indeed”.
Why is it that we never look at this as spirtual instruction, only physical temporal instruction? Much of what was done in 1 Corinthians has faded out; Paul never again mentions the Lord’s supper in any other epistles.
Mitch,
What I had specific reference to was “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11.26). The Lord’s supper is mandated until the Lord returns, i.e., Rapture. Water baptism has ended based upon Ephesians 4.5.
I’d Paul stopped preaching water baptism, and I assume the apostles were in agreement, how did the practice universally continue until today?
Cig,
Read 2 Corinthians 5.16 and 2 Timothy 1.15. The Church for nearly 2,000 years has focused upon Jesus’ earthly ministry to Israel rather than the doctrines of Paul.
Thanks for the enlightenment. Refreshing! This also means that in Romans 6 Paul is not referring to any water at all, but clearly to the Spirit Baptism by which we are baptized into Christ and therefore into Christ’s death also, right? Please comment!
Thank you. And correct! Romans 6 is bone dry.
Thanks a million. I know the Holy Spirit Himself has led me to your site. As a born-again believer for the last 34 years and a Pauline dispensationalist for the last 10 yrs or so, I’ve been enthralled with the identification truths in Romans 6 and the eternal & heavenly truths of the Body of Christ in the rest of Paul’s writings. Just cannot get enough of it. I have a few questions though on my personal walk which I will write to you in person for, if that’s ok? I suppose there is a ‘contact’ email available. Thanks once again!
Ian,
Thank you. Yes, I have a contact page.
For years reading scripture, water baptism always puzzled me. Though I knew it had nothing to with salvation, but how pastors and teachers so subtly get you to believe it’s our first step to obedience, or an ordinance. And new converts, being really new, in the back of their minds, think they gotta take care of this right now. This gives me the impression they think their salvation is not complete without water. I can see how confusing it would be for a new convert. In addition, Churches are mixing gospels, kingdom and Grace of God causing a false gospel. However, if you rightly divide Christ earthly ministry from the revelations given to Paul it starts make perfect sense. I think the reason the majority of Christians don’t believe this is, its so traditionally ingrained, folks don’t want to see it; as well as go by what they were taught versus what the Bible really says. When they try pick an argument with you, and you show them what the Bible really says; you find they have no position. Other than, what’s given them out of a blender.
Gentleman,
You amaze me and scare me at the same time, I am a fairly new believer desperate to find more solid doctrine, that’s how I found this site.
Two very simple questions please. If a believer was baptised by being submersed, not knowing anything about what you discuss here, did he do something wrong?
If someone used to be a really rebellious and shameful man, and turned from sin and put his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, he is very far from being a good man but a completely different man, especially according to his wife and kids. He loves the Lord Jesus with ALL HIS HEART, no sport or gadget or any temporary thing this world has to offer grabs his attention and affection as the Word does, even though he does not know an ounce as much as you do. Is the fact that he loves the Lord and is drawn to the Word a good sign that he is indeed a child of God, that all the wonderful promises of the Bible applies to himself, a sinner saved by grace, even though he battles with sin?
How would he know if he is deceiving himself? I would really appreciate your answers.
Quintin,
The Lord is faithful and true. All who put their trust in the work of Christ–that He died for our sins and arose from the dead–Paul’s gospel (1 Corinthians 15.1-4) can be assured God will conform us to the image of Christ (Romans 8.28-29). As we are justified by faith, so are we sanctified by faith. See my article, Identification With Christ, for how to live a victorious Christian life. May the Lord continue to lead you (Ephesians 1). Grace and peace.
Thank you very much for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it.
Hey Don, In the paragraph of Rom 6:3-6 near the beginning of the study, the word “united” has 4 b’s typed in front of it. just thought to let you know.
Becky,
Thank for the good eyes!
Hi Don,
I was studying baptism in the Scriptures this morning then came to read your study. Mine was not as extensive as yours but I came to the same conclusion. I had a discussion with a brother who says that Paul was baptized with water. I decided to check into it this morning and that is what got me to studying baptism. It appears to me that Paul was baptized by the Holy Spirit, not water.
Act 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
Act 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Ananias told Paul he was sent for two things: 1) To lay hands on Paul to receive his sight and 2) that he be filled with the Holy Ghost. V.18 then says IMMEDIATELY the scales fell from his eyes and Paul 1)received his sight and 2)was baptized. It says in Act 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
I thought maybe this was the proof that it was a water baptism, but then couldn’t find anywhere else where baptism was representative of a “washing away of sins.” I also thought that maybe Paul at some point realized that water baptism wasn’t necessary.
I do have one more question about another verse, Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
I read the whole context where these believers had been baptized with John’s baptism. Do you think these were baptized in water in this verse? I read the next verse where Paul laid hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost.
Becky,
Paul was saved under the administration of the gospel of the kingdom so he was baptized with water. He preached Jesus was the Son of God, the gospel of the kingdom, immediately afterwards because that was the only gospel revealed (Acts 9.20). As for Acts 19, the key to understanding this passage correctly is to see that v. 5 continues and goes with v. 4. In other words, they were not rebaptized, once for John and once for Jesus. It was one baptism. So the sense is, “And Paul said, John indeed baptized [with] the baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on him that was coming after him, that is, on Jesus. And when they heard that, [about John’s baptism] they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. The baptism of Paul (v.6) was that of the Holy Spirit (no water).
Thanks so much, clears things up.
Hi Don,
The Lord’s supper was touched upon in the comments section so I thought I’d ask my question here.
Could you put light on the verses in 1 Corinthians 11, 26-32
What does it mean ( verse 30) ‘for this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep’ speaking about those who do not judge the body rightly and those who eat and drink in an unworthy manner? How do you judge the body rightly?
These must be believers?
How does this apply to the church today? Clearly it is no light manner as it could be judged and disciplined. ( verse 32 )
Finally,
where is Grace if some ‘ sleep’ ?
Who was not ‘waiting to eat with one another’
If you do not frequent a Sunday church meeting where communion is organised for you how do these verses apply?
Thank you for your help with my confusion.
Sue,
It’s impossible to know all that was going on but it must have been bad. The Corinthians were apparently getting together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper with dinners which devolved into gluttony and drunkenness. The abuse was so bad that God judged them. Paul had lots of problems with the Corinthians (cf. 1 Corinthians 5.1-8).
Don and Sue,
I have always felt that 1 Cor 11:27-34 refers back to 1 Cor 11:20-22, people that are coming to the feast early and eating all of the food and drinking all of the wine, are acting in an unworthy manner and should examine themselves if they don’t want to be judged as pigs by the assembly. After all, in a spiritual sense, none of us are worthy; If I couldn’t partake of the elements until I was worthy, I would never have them!
Try this…..
20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
(Then skip to v. 27-34)
27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
Just a thought.
Jack S.
Meridian, ID
Don,
I’ve known for a long time now that water baptism is absolutely unnecessary for a believer in Christ.
One just has to read Acts 10 to see this fact. Cornelius and his family believed, were saved and then filled with the holy spirit prior to water baptism. I think Peter was both amazed and baffled that this occurred because it went contrary to what he had experienced till then and preached.
Yet here were gentiles saved and filled with the Holy Spirit from just hearing and believing the word but that’s exactly what Paul preached. “Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Not only that, interestingly enough, if one reads Peter’s message clearly, it was Not Repent and be Baptized. He preached that Christ died for our sins and was raised again from the dead. That’s the Gospel message of Grace. “Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Yet Peter and they others still baptized them anyway after the fact and all I can think is that was simply a rote response due to his already established ministry.
My wife and I had to leave a fairly large nondenominational church because they taught baptism was necessary for salvation. We didn’t know this until one day a guest speaker from Dallas Theological Seminary of all places taught that fact on a Sunday to three packed services. I was infuriated and even more so when he called Roman Catholics & other mainline apostate protestants brothers. The death knell was when he started the baptism of desire nonsense and I thought to myself that DTS has been infiltrated by Jesuits. Suffice it to say, we never went back to that church.
It’s been a long hard prayerful struggle to get my wife out of the grips of Roman Catholicism. She is saved now and actually studying the Bible with me and I’ve deliberately steered those studies to Paul’s work. She was astonished by Galatians and now understands Grace + Faith + Ø for the first time in her life is the true gospel and wants to share it with others. Thank God Hallelujah!
She also realizes we must leave the small church we now attend because it’s all about keeping the ten commandments. I gave the pastor a teaching on Grace and OSAS and I’m leaving the rest up to the Lord. We’re still looking for a church that preaches the true message of Grace and can’t find one.
Bruce,
Thank you. I’m afraid the apple has fallen far from the tree at DTS since the days of Dr. Chafer–or since I was there. Wonderful about your wife. When one understands God’s grace one can only be astonished. All the best in finding a church. Grace and peace.
You stated “While baptism has the idea of cleansing, its basic meaning is “identification”.”
When John the Baptist baptized Jesus was it for cleansing or identification?
Max,
The overarching meaning of baptism is identification but in terms of the kingdom gospel it was cleansing (Acts 22.16). Israel’s priests washed when they served in the Tabernacle/Temple. The anticipated the greater promise (cf. Exodus 19.5-6).
This is exactly right. When God set up the laws and practices for his favored nation Israel, (Dispensation of Law) he had Moses build the tabernacle, and chose Aaron, his sons, and picked the tribe of Levi as the priestly tribe. You see in Exodus 29:4 that Aaron and his sons had to be ritually cleansed (baptized). Also see Exodus 30: 19-21 , Exodus 40: 31,32, Lev 8:5, and Lev 16:23-24. The only other washings in the OT program were for any Jew who came into contact with any unclean thing, or was a leper. Keep in mind that gentiles were considered unclean by the Jews (why Peter was so reluctant to go to the house of Cornelius). God told Moses that when the promised kingdom would come (when the Messiah and King was revealed), Israel would become a “Royal Priesthood…a kingdom of priests Ex 19:5-6, Rev 20:6
Baptism (ritual cleansing) was established with John the Baptist, Jesus, the 12, and all who were saved under The Gospel of the Kingdom program in the 4 gospels and early acts, was in anticipation of this coming kingdom, and ALL JEWS becoming priests of God. See Zech 8:20-23.
Israel as a priestly kingdom would be Gods outreach to the gentile nations, and a blessing to them in the 1,000 year kingdom. BUT, Israel refused to repent, so the kingdom was paused, and God chose Paul as proxy Israel to reach out to Gentiles. Gentiles were never promised to be priests. There are no priests in the Body of Christ. Only Jesus is our high priest and we are his body. We become members of HIS body by faith in his death and resurrection, baptized into the body by the Holy Spirit.We, not being Israel, have no need of ritual cleansing….Blessings to all, and thank you Don for your ministry..it has been such a blessing to me for the last 5 years.
Brad,
Thank you!
Thank you very much for your wonderful studies.
I enjoy learning from you, and this topic is very helpful to me.
Lee,
Thank you for your kind words. I am glad the studies are helpful.
Dear ‘Doctrine’!
Based on what I read here from your article on Baptism, do you say a new person who believes in Christ (per Rom 10:9) need not to take water baptism as commanded by Jesus in Mtt 28:18- ?
If Spirit Baptism is what we have now, when does a new believer gets that baptism? Also how does he know that he is baptized in spirit? – any evidential signs or feelings?
Appreciate your response – thanks.
Saju Skaria.
Saju,
We know we have been baptized by the Holy Spirit by faith. The Scripture states it (1 Corinthians 12.12-13). Paul wrote that Christ did not send him to baptize but to preach the gospel. Later, he wrote the Ephesians that only one baptism now existed (Ephesians 4.5). Therefore, water baptism has passed away.
Dear Doctirne, what about the Ethiopian eunuch. He believed and then ask Philip what hinders him to be baptized when they came into a certain water. And Philip said ..If thou believed with all thine heart thou mayest… This is also a water baptism after he got saved..first baptism of Christ .second baptism in water. Pls explain to us Doctrine.it will help us understand more.
ele,
The Ethiopian eunuch was a Jew saved under the gospel of the kingdom. Water baptism was required just as at Pentecost.
I have recently created a page full of baptism articles and videos (from different pastors) from the Mid-Acts Dispensational position. Some of you might like to watch the videos by various Grace preachers,
Understanding water baptism by Richard Jordan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUREvtRtSJM
Distinctions that matter, baptism! by Richard Jordan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ-H6hPhBSo
Should I be water baptized by Ron Knight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwHYp4pzcJA
Is water baptism a command that we should follow? by Richard Jordan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk1H88K6UhY
Is water baptism for today? by Richard Jordan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rEH5cc9cxw
Baptism and the believer by Richard Jordan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFRIcu85OnQ
Eph. 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism by Richard Jordan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsWV1KtTIwI
There are different baptisms in the Bible by Ron Knight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RthMwV3Lx0M
There is one baptism, and it isn’t water by Ron Knight
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VrQZKqXrW0
Introduction to baptism by Justin Johnson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRcHeZclemk
What is baptism? by Justin Johnson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wopYxLuUu4E
Paul’s one baptism by Justin Johnson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTnob21rams
Baptism with the Holy Ghost by Justin Johnson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRqzcWsWkEU
“Baptism” by Pastor Steve Atwood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rm3BAnVMTOg
“What’s the big deal with water baptism” by Pastor Perry Lemmons
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiEbBm3spsk
“Baptism” by E.C. Moore
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD072BF8FE28E2C9B
Great!
My great great grandfather was Jacob Ditzler
I have a book, Baptism, that He gave to my Grandmother along with articles and letters and Library of Congress certificates that my Father left me
I wish to sell to help my daughter
Any suggestions?
Peggy,
Amazon, eBay, Abebooks, Alibris are possible sale venues.
I think most if not all babes in Christ look to the Apostles as they walked with the Lord as omniscient with halos over their heads. If Peter says in Acts 2:38 that people must repent and be baptized then it must be so. Since some in the early days spoke in tongues then it must apply to us today. But actually these guys were the first to run at the crucifixion. There was just so much they didn’t know and understand (hidden from them) as in Luke 18. There was still no consensus as late as Acts 15. Today we have the completed bible. Even late in Peter’s life he says that Paul’s teachings were hard to understand. 2 Peter 3:16. I believe in many ways we are more fortunate than some who may have actually listened to the Lord teach only to try later to reconcile that with Paul. I believe the problem is we don’t study and if we do sometimes for some reason the Holy Spirit does not open our heart….example: God opened Lydia’s heart in Acts 16. Sometimes he does and sometimes he doesn’t. Doctrine, can you help us understand why this is? thank you.
btw, your site is so very user friendly
Joe,
God knows every heart. His great genius is He can accommodate man’s free will and accomplish all things according to His sovereign will. God has revealed His will in the Scriptures. Men fail to read the Scriptures carefully and fail to distinguish between His program for Israel and His program for the Church. When these are mixed contradictions and confusion results. These misunderstanding have become tradition which is what is taught in seminaries and in pulpits. Failure to understand and teach Paul’s doctrines has resulted in massive confusion throughout Christendom. However, if one wants to understand the Scriptures God will reveal them.
Hi Doctrine,
Everything is making sense to me regarding the gospel of the kingdom vs Paul’s gospel. However, one question that is bugging me is why did the Philippian jailer and his household get baptised in Acts 16 by Paul? Is water baptism an assumption here?
Thank you
Mark,
Acts is a transitional book. Everything did not change at once. Paul was beginning to see the end of water baptism from his words in 1 Corinthians 1. By Ephesians 4, water baptism had ended.
Don,
I was listening to a great video series(3) with Rodney Beaulieu regarding baptism and he was saying that when John the Baptist was baptising (for the Priesthood of Israel and the kingdom to come), women were NOT baptised. Priesthood was only for men!
While I understand that the book of Acts is a transitional book, I still do not understand why were women batised, like Lydia for example. What do you think?
Thank you, and GOD bless you! :)
Ronnie,
Philip continued the kingdom program begun by John and baptized men and women (Acts 8.12-13). He knew nothing of Paul’s gospel. Because the apostles and deacons continued the kingdom program it seems logical John baptized women. The Levitical priesthood excluded women but John was not baptizing into the Levitical priesthood. The kingdom program required everyone to repent and be baptized (Acts 2.36-38). That was the way of fulfillment of Exodus 19.5-6, cf. 1 Peter 2.9.
Thank you.
I was under the assumption that John was not baptizing women.
I guess that was were it triggered m confusion.
GOD bless you, brother! :)
Dear Bro.
Thank you for your article on “Baptism” I find it clear and concise, doctrinely sousound. Some folks will have difficulty with it but let the chips fall as they may.
I looked at it openly and it lines up with the bible. God Bless You!
Courtney,
Thank you for your kind words. If one will examine the Scriptures without bias they are quite clear.
Thank you so much for this. I came from a family with a non-practicing Catholic mother, a non-participating Methodist stepfather and attended the United Evangelical church on my own at about age 13. We moved away and even into adulthood I never found a church that felt like “home” again. A couple of years back the Lord called me back to him and I began independent study, gradually adding friends to my study group. Never joined a church (my husband is agnostic but allows me my Sabbath and independent study without strife) but find that most of them don’t seem to follow the Scriptures – even if they know they are teaching something that is untruthful – because they are tied to the denomination they are ordained into. Anyway, thought I needed to be baptised and asked SEVERAL ministers to do it – NONE would do it unless I BECAME A MEMBER OF THEIR CHURCH, which convinced me again that I WOULDN’T WANT TO BE A MEMBER EVEN IT IT WAS POSSIBLE. One of them wouldn’t baptise a MEMBER who was afflicted with lung cancer (and possibly dying of it) because he was still smoking. UNBELIEVABLE, huh? Your article and complete clarification has brought so much peace to me – I thought I was being disobedient for NOT being baptised. My friend was going to baptise me because I was so tormented about it. THANK YOU SO MUCH for this information. I will be gratefully reading your other articles as well. Any hints for me? I would like know about communion and about fasting. I have no experience with them at all so I need to know: how is it done properly? do I need to do it? Also, do I need to cover my head when I pray or if I were to attend church?(I am female.)
Cheryl,
Thank you. Statements like yours from readers are the reason I write. The good news is that you HAVE been baptized by the One from Whom it counts. On head covering, it had cultural significance in Paul’s day which has now been lost. God has given women a natural head covering (hair) which Paul notes in 1 Corinthians 11. Communion is taught by Paul and valid, (1 Corinthians 11). Paul provides its significance and rules for practice. How often one takes communion is a local church and an individual decision. Christ simply told us to do it. We have freedom as to how often. As for reading, the biggest thing to understand is God’s program for Israel and His program for the Church. Read Jesus vs. Paul, A Conversation With Paul, Paul’s “Mystery”, Paul: Chief of Sinners? for starters. Grace and peace.
What about the practice of partaking in the Lords supper? I know this is controversial too.
Thanks for your ever prompt reply
Dawn
Dawn,
It is a valid practice for believers today. Paul taught the Lord’s supper in which we remember His death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11.23-34).
Hi Doctrine,
Can I ask your opinion on Hebrews 10:19-23:
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
It appears to be saying that we can draw near to God based on our faith, a clean conscience, and being washed in water i.e. water baptism?
Mark,
I cannot be dogmatic here but I think this is reasonable. Paul wrote Hebrews (see my article, Who Wrote Hebrews?). He probably wrote it by 60 A.D. and before he wrote his prison epistles. Hebrews is addressed to Jews and I think it was Paul’s final appeal to Jews. Almost all Jewish believers had been water baptized (a requirement of the kingdom program). Paul had been saved under this program and had been baptized (Acts 9.18). Because of this, he could write “us” in his address to Jews. The primary point of Hebrews is to tell Jews that Christ was the fulfillment of all that had come before (covenants, law, prophecy). Judaism as such was over. After this, Paul no longer went to Jews (Jews first) as was his habit throughout Acts. He wrote he was Christ’s prisoner for Gentiles (Ephesians 3.1). God had commissioned him the apostle of the Gentiles, not the apostle of the Jews (God had 12 of those). He finally accepted this (Acts 22.18) but God had to put him in prison to do it. Read how Acts ends.
It’s interesting that the words used are ‘pure water’ or ‘clean water’. Seems to be some extra meaning there… not necessarily water baptism.
Mark,
The water was “pure” in that it was in accordance with God’s command to baptize. It became “sanctified” as were the implements the priests used in the Temple.
Most of my friends, in laws, acquaintances are Catholics. Mass is held sometimes at funerals, weddings, etc. If I am present what should I do? I don’t like someone sticking something into my mouth or drinking out of the same cup but I don’t want to offend anyone.
Thank you.
Joe,
Unlike most Protestant churches, Roman Catholics do not practice open communion. Unless you are RC you do not take Mass. You can stay seated or go to the rail, cross your chest with your arms and receive a blessing. No one’s going to be offended by this.
Hello Doctrine, Might I ask, your reply to Joe was you suggested he cross his arms and receive a blessing. Who will bless him? The Priest.?
Vanessa,
I do not think I suggested this. I just wrote this was an option according to RC rules.
I read with great alarm your theories on water baptism. Contrary to your writings here water baptism is still very much a part of the salvation by faith ‘package’practiced by the church. Yes we are saved by faith through grace, and this as a result of Christs finished work on the cross, to live this saved life victoriously, baptism(water) buries the old man, which is compared with circumcision of the heart, so the new creation is free from sin(we are empowered over sin).
Said,
Alarmed or not water baptism has no part in the Church, the body of Christ. We are spiritually baptized (1 Corinthians 12.13). There is one baptism (Ephesians 4.5)–and it’s not water. Water does not bury the old man. Romans 6 is bone dry. Paul spoke of baptism as being identified with Christ in His death. This identification is a work of the Holy Spirit, not a work of man. The question you have to ask yourself is this: is the one baptism water or the Holy Spirit? Is man greater than God?
Why does everyone think baptism is only about water? Paul explains to us about types and shadows but the substance is CHRIST. Paul says “For I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea and all were “baptized” into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.. ” (1 Cor 10:1-2)
This the key to understanding spiritual baptism vs water baptism. The question one must ask is how did the Children of Israel get baptized into Moses? The author of Hebrews provides the a BIG CLUE:
“By faith they (children of Israel) passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned” Heb 11:29
In case you missed it: Notice “DRY LAND……..” The children of Israel didn’t even get a rain drop on their head, while the Egyptians drowned. This is symbolic of believers coming out of the world through through Christ….
Paul usage of baptism in his epistles is SPIRITUAL. The one baptism in Eph 4 is SPIRITUAL. Through the work of the Holy Spirit by faith, we are baptized into Christ, His death, and the Body of Christ (Church). Our whole identification and union of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is all by the Holy Spirit.
Water baptism is an outward public sign; just as an engagement ring is to a wedding…Does the lack of engagement ring invalidate a marriage union?
I am a believer and greatly enjoy your articles and comments. I like to know what and why I believe in things, 1 Corinthians confuses me greatly. I don’t agree with it but it’s in the bible. Why can we say these passages are not culturally relevant but not say that about others. Why then can’t we say the other sections regarding women that Paul write about are not culturally relevant either. Who gets to pick and choose these things? One answer I got was it is up to the Holy Spirit. So if the Holy Spirit tells me it is no longer culturally relevant I can disagree or not practice it? Looking forward for your help in clarifying this…
Terri,
Thank you. Can you give me an example of what is confusing to you?
There is a comment above and someone referenced the verses on head covering/hair verses and you replied the hair referencing was no longer relevant.
Terri,
Apparel has always differed according to society and culture. In Paul’s day, a head covering was deemed proper and appropriate for women. For a woman not to cover her head was view as inappropriate and perhaps even rebellious. For a Christian women not to cover her head would not have been view favorably by society, especially in light of what Paul stated about angels who observing our behavior. Today, head coverings do not have the cultural significance of Paul’s day. God has given women a natural head covering of hair, usually longer hair. In terms of application, Christian women should dress appropriate to today’s standards and not try to scandalize or shock–the angels are still watching.
I think you may be saying that the chapter is meant to tell people not to dress inappropriately if you are doing it for scandalous or shocking reasons? And we are suppose to read it like a parable and decipher its meanings? I usually now can read the Bible and understand it and in fact feel enlightened by it and it’s new revelations I read each time I read a passage again. I do believe this is God’s word or the bible becomes completely irrelevant.
Terri,
For a woman in Paul’s day not to wear a head covering in certain circumstances was considered presumptuous. Paul’s admonition was to act appropriately because angels are watching the relationship of man and woman. Every culture is going to have its own application of this.
Greetings Don. I have possibly a strange question.We recently moved to a different state, and due to a physical disability I am unable to go to church services. I have been a believer for 43 years, and until 4 years ago belonged to a good bible church. I took the Lords supper many times during that time. I would like to continue doing so. Can my wife and I do this at home on our own without a minister present? I never felt like it had to be ritualistic, and that any believer has the ability to commune with God, but I dont want to do anything wrong or be disrespectful to God. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thank You for your ministry.
Brad,
Thank you. So sorry to hear of your disability. The Scriptures give no reason why you and your wife cannot celebrate the Lord’s supper at home. The purposes of the celebration are to remember the Lord and proclaim His death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11). You and your wife can Biblically worship at home in this way. May the Lord bless you. Grace and peace.
Hi Don, the book of Romans Chapter 6 had informed us that we shared Jesus death, burial and resurrection. “1st Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”When did believers crucify and die?
Elvie,
Interesting question. From God’s perspective it occurred in His foreknowledge. From the believer’s perspective, the moment of belief.
I an intrigued by this article. I have a few questions I would like you to clarify:
1. If this “one baptism” is through the Holy Spirit, how do you receive the Holy Spirit and when do you know that you have become one with the body of Christ?
2. Can you explain to me why Paul’s teaching should be followed opposed to Jesus’ teachings throughout the Gospels? I have read from your posts that you believe Acts is a “transitional book.” However, Acts was only the beginning of Jesus’ ministry after he ascended to heaven.
Student,
The baptism of the Holy Spirit into the Church, the body of Christ, occurs at salvation, when one believes Paul’s gospel (1 Corinthians 15.1-4; 1 Corinthians 12.13). Jesus earthly ministry (Gospels) was for the Jews, not Gentiles (Matthew 10.5-7; Romans 15.8). See my article, Two Remarkable Healings. The risen Lord commissioned Paul as the apostle of the Gentiles (Romans 11.13) and revealed to him doctrines previously unknown. See the article, Paul’s “Mystery.” So we have two different programs: Israel and Church. The former is primarily Jews and the latter primarily Gentiles (See The Olive Tree). Finally, my article, Jesus vs. Paul reveals these differences. Paul is to be followed because he received direct revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ (Galatians 1.1, 11-12). Paul’s words are the Lord’s words from heaven.
So is receiving the Spirit something I just have believe in and then I have it?
I will make sure to read those articles as well.
Student,
When one believes Paul’s gospel (1 Corinthians 15.1-4) God seals the believer with the Holy Spirit and gives Him to indwell as a down payment of the promise of redemption of the body, i.e., resurrection (Ephesians 1.13-14). God identifies the believer in Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6.3-5; 1 Corinthians 12.13). This is not an experience. It is a declaration from God taken by faith.
Hi Bro Don, praying all is well with you and your ministry:) I have a brother of mine that challenged me on a few points, hope you can help:
1) He said Cornelius was a gentile and that Peter gave him not the kingdom gospel but that of faith only, as Cornelius received the Holy Spirit without baptism? Peter also mentioned that the gentiles would be saved the same as the gentiles from now on?
2) Eternal security was given to David and Solomon via the sure nercies of David foretelling of the gospel of grace which came at the cross?
3) the phillipian jailer who was a gentile baptised all his household in Paul’s prescence thus justifying water baptism for the body of Christ?
Thanks
George,
1. Cornelius was a Gentile. Read Acts 10. Do you find anywhere that Peter preached that Christ died for Cornelius’ sins and rose from the dead? Peter knew only the kingdom gospel. It was not until many years later that he understood Paul’s gospel (Acts 15.11). Cornelius received the Holy Spirit apart from water baptism. Peter and his fellows were astonished (Acts 10.45). This was to prepare Peter to support Paul at the Council of Jerusalem (see my article, The Great Hinge.
2. Little information is given in the OT on eternal security. They seem to have had it but it is not laid out in a doctrinal format. Jesus said He was the God of the living (Matthew 12.26-27).
3. Water baptism was practiced by Paul early on but abandoned later. Paul hinted at this in 1 Corinthians 1.14-17. Clearly, this statement at the very least reveals that water baptism was not important in Paul’s ministry. By the time Paul wrote Ephesians 4.5, water baptism has ceased to be practiced.
The only baptism that counts and is important is the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism divides believers. Do any agree? Baptism of the Holy Spirit unites believers.
Thanks bro Don for your answers,
Regarding Cornelius he did hear the gospel of God/ grace that saves ” “Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” -Peter said this to cornelius, very similar to Pauls Gospel?
George,
The gospel of the kingdom included believing in Christ (Matthew 16, John 11). But the content of that belief was not believing Christ died for one’s sins and rose from the dead. Believing in Christ for Peter meant believing who He was–the Messiah, the Son of God. See my articles, Faith vs. Works in James: Resolving the Problem and The Gospel of the Kingdom.
So bro Don, when John wrote : Revelation 1:5 KJV. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, did John know this after he spoke to Paul or before in Acts 2?
Also when Peter sat to eat with the Paul’s gentile converts did Peter eat unclean food and then when seeeing the little flo k of kingdom believers revert back to kingdom gospel living, how do you interpret that event?
George,
Peter wrote similar words in 1 Peter 1.18-19. Since Peter did not use such language in Acts 2, it is logical to conclude he did not know it. Paul is the one from whom we learn the significance of Christ’s death, His shed blood, in relation to the work on the cross for salvation. Ergo, Peter and John learned this from Paul. Question 2 is interesting. Perhaps, maybe even probably. But the Jerusalem apostles had a hard time giving up the Law (see Acts 21.20).
Just a quick question. I’ve personally never met a Christian from the Protestant tradition who believes that water baptism is required for salvation. It’s used today merely as a public statement that one has accepted Christ.
My question is: What’s the big deal if churches baptize new converts? I mean, if it’s simply making a public statement, why not be baptized?
Roger,
Water baptism is a source of major disagreement in Christendom. Paul stated one baptism exists: baptism by the Holy Spirit. It’s a matter of obedience. Why perform a rite that no longer has Biblical purpose or meaning? It perpetuates confusion. If Christians followed Paul’s teachings 95% of theological and practical problems would disappear.
After pondering your teaching for months I have come to the conclusion that your interpretation is wrong… it does not fit with Paul’s actions.
You say that the one baptism is a spiritual baptism but that is based on your interpretation. It does not fit with what we see Paul doing in the book of Acts. He was still baptising after the council… Philippians jailer & the people at Ephesus. The book of Acts shows us how people got saved. Paul’s letters are to already saved believers.
Jesus’ words are crystal clear. He who believes and is baptised shall be saved. Hearing the gospel and then responding in faith (action – repentance and baptism) is still valid for today.
Mark,
Read the Scriptures again. Paul placed little importance on water baptism (1 Corinthians 1.14-17). During Acts Paul went to Jews first, then Gentiles. That changed after his Roman imprisonment. Jewish priority ended. He declared he was Christ’s prisoner for Gentiles (Ephesians 3.1) and in that same letter declared there was one baptism (Ephesians 4.5). Paul taught the baptism of the Holy Spirit baptizes the believer into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12.13) and identifies him in Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6). So which is the “one baptism,” water or the Holy Spirit? Who is greater, God or man? Water baptism is a work of man and ceased by the time Paul wrote Ephesians. Jesus ministered to Jews during His earthly ministry, not Gentiles. He commissioned Paul as the apostle of the Gentiles. To follow Christ, as a Christian, one must follow Paul, for he received direct revelation from the risen Christ regarding the Church, His body. There is only one way to be saved today: by faith alone in Paul’s gospel: 1 Corinthians 15.1-4. All other paths are deception.
Is there clear scriptural evidence that Paul baptized Gentiles? If it can be proven he only baptized Judeans then might he have done so under the national kingdom of Israel program not yet being aware of the no baptism policy for the individual Body of Christ program? At Corinth Crispus was Judean. The household of Stephanas:”first fruits of them that believed: Judean idiom? Gaius? I can’t find anything definitive about his ethnicity. Todah
James,
Paul had given up the kingdom program when he came back from Arabia. He baptized a few people, but as he wrote the Corinthians, he did not regard it as important. For Paul, everything was the gospel of grace, faith + 0, identification with Christ, the indwelling Holy Spirit and His baptism into Christ’s body.
That’s an interesting thought, James. I was wondering something along those same lines: did Paul perhaps baptize for the same reason that he performed circumcision, etc? To gain the Jews? (1 Cor. 9:20)
What about the church’s Ordinance? We are do observes these ordinance in “remembrance of Him” right?
1 Corinthians 11:24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). Our baptism is a public testimony of our faith in the Lord Jesus: Christ, and the way in which we identify ourselves with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
Norma,
The Lord’s supper is a continuing memorial (1 Corinthians 11.23). Water baptism has ended (Ephesians 4.5). Our identification in the Lord’s death and resurrection is the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6.3-5; 1 Corinthians 12.12-13).
Your articles are profound. I just found your site yesterday, and you’ve already helped me see scripture in a new way, I think a good way. On Baptism: In my church, like most churches, we do baptisms. I was baptized two years ago this week. However, my pastor explains pretty much each time we have baptisms, the immersion itself does nothing; it is merely a public way to profess faith, like a wedding ring for marriage.
So, that being said, with the acknowledgement the baptism does nothing in itself, what are your thoughts on doing it as a celebration in a congregation for someone who has professed faith?
Carl,
Thank you. It’s wonderful to celebrate a believer’s salvation. But no Scriptural support exist for using baptism as a celebration of salvation. I’m very simple and like to keep things simple. Christendom is confused enough. Why complicate matters more?
Thanks for the reply. I tend to agree, but I don’t think its the hill I’ll die on. :)
Carl,
I tend to think that your pastor is the exception and not the rule. When asked if one is a Christian, most people will quickly reply, “Yes, I was baptized on 1/1/1999 etc” They tend to associate the water baptism with their salvation because THEIR pastor did not make clear that there is only one baptism, and that is of the Holy Spirit.
Jack
I can only speak for me, and my knowledge of my Church, which is associated with the Southern Baptist Convention, which also has the official position of supporting believer’s baptism, but that it is a ceremony, not part of actual salvation.
There is one baptism which is of the Holy Spirit. Without this work of God one is not saved. Have you ever considered that the “baptism” of Paul in Acts 9: 18 is not of water but of the Spirit? Read the prior verse…..”receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” Verse 18….”he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.” Do you see that Paul’s filling with the Holy Ghost is his baptism?
John the Baptist stated that he baptized with water, but that the Christ would baptize with the Holy Ghost and with fire! It is clear that almost all of the baptisms spoken of in the New Testament are speaking of a baptism of the Spirit not with water. We are in error when we assume “water baptism” in the place of the baptism by the Holy Ghost. Read Acts 18: 24- Acts 19: 6 and see what happened with Apollos, a man fervent in the spirit and who taught diligently the things of the Lord, KNOWING ONLY THE BAPTISM OF JOHN! He is then set straight by Aquila and Priscilla yet some of his disciples are still without the Spirit until Paul sets them straight and they are BAPTIZED in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Marti,
Water baptism was required for salvation under the gospel of the kingdom (Mark 1.4, 16.16). Peter water baptized even after Christ’s resurrection (Acts 2.36.38). Paul was water baptized because he was saved under the gospel of the kingdom. There is only one baptism in the Acts 19 passage, the baptism of John. In other words, Acts 19.3 and Acts 19.5 were the same baptism. Water baptism ended officially with Paul’s declaration in Ephesians 4.5.
I cannot believe you are saying this! “Water baptism was REQUIRED for salvation under the gospel of the kingdom?” You have just added a requirement to be saved….no matter what time period you are talking about. You have just trampled underfoot what the Lord Jesus has done. The baptisms in Acts 19:3 and 19:5 are NOT the same…..one was John’s (water and no salvation had taken place…they had not even HEARD of the Holy Spirit vs. 2) and the other was the baptism of the Holy Spirit after they HEARD that they should believe on Christ Jesus. Again, Paul’s baptism in Acts 9 is of the Holy Spirit, NOT water. Compare the sentence structure of Acts 9: 17 and 18 (“…receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”) (Paul then received his sight and AROSE, and was baptized) You don’t rise up when you are dunked down in the water! Paul arose first and then he is baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Abel, Noah, Abraham were all “righteous” men in God’s eyes before any law or circumcision (which symbolized a cutting off of the flesh). All three of these men’s flesh had been spiritually cut off….they were “dead” in their flesh so they could be alive in the Spirit. John’s preparatory baptism was the same meaning….death of our flesh in the water (confession of our sins) to prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit (the REAL baptism). It is a gift from God to know what a wretch one is! Only God can reveal one’s utter depravity for them to cry out for His mercy. Only God can put this fear into a person that they are lost and without the Holy Spirit and will face God without Christ. They will stand upon their own merits of righteousness and will be cast out!
I highly recommend that you read Martin Luther’s commentary on Galatians. It is a blessed book and I hope you will see yourself in his writings. Paul’s fear was that the Galatians were falling from grace, that the false teachers were persuading them to add something to their gift from God. Paul sensed that he was becoming their enemy because he told them the truth! (Gal 4:16) Also, the works of John Bunyan….namely “The Acceptable Sacrifice, the Excellency of a Broken Heart: Showing the Nature, Signs, and Proper Effects of a Contrite Spirit” (based on Psalm 51) I write to you in love….warning you that what you are saying is not of the Spirit.
Marti,
I have read Luther’s commentary on Galatians (more than once) and I have read Bunyan. Before Paul, works were required for salvation. See my article, Faith vs. Works in James: Resolving the Problem. Luther and Bunyan did not understand this because they read Paul into the gospels and the gospels into Paul. This has continued in Christendom which explains the theological confusion and fragmentation. If you had told a Jew salvation was by faith without works he would have hauled you into court for blasphemy. Nothing in the OT taught this. Read Mark 1.4, 16.16; Acts 2.36-38, 22.16. Do these passages teach water baptism was required for salvation? If words mean anything, they do. People only have the idea of salvation by faith alone from Paul. You won’t find it taught anywhere else. This is why Paul is so important and so different. Today we are saved by faith alone, believing Paul’s gospel (1 Corinthians 15.1-4). But before Paul, this was completely unknown. The Acts 19 passage does not relate a rebaptism. The text reads, 2 He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. What Luke wrote in v. 5 is that when they heard about John’s baptism (vv. 3-4) the were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (v. 5). There was no rebaptism. Paul laid his hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues. This was to give these Jewish believers the same experience as what had occurred at Pentecost. I recommend Cornelius Stam’s commentary on Acts. It is essential reading for every Christian. Grace and peace.
Luther and Bunyan did not understand! Oh sir, you are in gross error! You are the one who does not understand faith versus the law. Yes, I would have been hauled off to court and called a blasphemer as were so many others….including Jesus, if I spoke the truth as I am now to you. If you knew my story you would most likely scoff…..I was VERY involved for many years with a large Bible Church, taking classes at Dallas Theological Seminary, and doing all kinds of benevolent works, until early one morning, on March 30th, 2011, while sitting in a McDonald’s having breakfast at the age of 55 I was overcome with the Holy Spirit for the first time in my life. I knew exactly what it was, no question, and no one was more surprised than I was!!! I was in utter fear all day long, crying out to the Lord to have mercy on such a sinful person as myself. That day scales fell from my eyes and I was born again, baptized in the Holy Spirit and all things became new. All of my prior life became filthy rags and many beloved people had to be forsaken. My family and friends did not understand what had happened to me….they denied that I was not already saved prior to that day, even when I insisted that I wasn’t. Why in the world would a person begin to tell others such news when they knew it would sabotage the relationships? I was a people pleaser and wouldn’t think of speaking as I do…the ONLY explanation for all of my changes is the indwelling Holy Spirit, but no one wants to believe that. I’m called all sorts of things now, but what a joy I have in Christ. I implore you to ask the Lord if my words may be true. Man’s reason cannot understand such things. Luther and Bunyan were in opposition to people as yourself, as was Paul. I hate to leave you alone. Matthew 15:14
Marti,
Luther and Bunyan understood justification by faith alone. They did not understand Paul’s apostleship. They did not understand God’s prophetic, covenant program with Israel. They did not understand Romans 15.8. This is why Luther wanted the book of James removed from the canon. Had he, he would have never have said such critical things remarks about it. I have given you the Scriptures to prove salvation by faith alone was unknown before Paul. The choice before you is to believe the Scriptures or believe tradition.
Please go read Luther’s comments on Galatians 5:6 Your words about Luther are incorrect. Several sentences out of Luther’s commentary are as follows: “Now he believeth not truly, if works of charity follow not his faith. So on both hands, as well on the right hand as on the left, he shutteth hypocrites out of Christ’s kingdom. On the left hand he shutteth out the Jews, and all such as will work out their OWN salvation, saying, “In Christ neither circumcision;” that is to say, no works, no service, no worshippings, no kind of life in the world, but faith without ANY TRUST IN WORKS OR MERITS, AVAILETH BEFORE GOD. On the right hand he shutteth out all slothful and idle persons, which say, If faith justify without works, then let us work nothing, but let us only believe, and do what we list. Not so, YE ENEMIES OF GRACE. Paul saith otherwise. And although it be true that only faith justifieth, yet he speaketh here of faith in another respect; that is to say, that AFTER IT HATH JUSTIFIED, IT IS NOT IDLE, BUT OCCUPIED AND EXERCISED IN WORKING THROUGH LOVE…”
These words by Luther are contrary to what you wrote about Luther’s beliefs and his lack of understanding of Paul’s apostleship (what does that mean anyway….lack of understanding what Paul wrote?) Luther’s words are in support of James 2: 14-26 You have not read Luther’s commentary through the eyes of the Holy Spirit. You are the one who does not understand Paul! Did you ask the Lord if my words to you are perhaps true?
Marti,
No, you did not read what I wrote carefully. Luther understood Paul’s doctrine of justification by faith. Paul taught works come from faith. That Luther understood. He did not understand the Jewish plan of salvation, the gospel of the kingdom. He did not understand the Church began with Paul, that Paul’s apostleship was wholly different from that of the 12. He did not understand Paul’s secrets, etc. Luther did not understand Paul beyond his doctrine of salvation nor his unique apostleship.
I suppose that you do understand Paul and his doctrine of salvation (which is God’s doctrine not any man’s) and you do understand Paul’s “unique apostleship” contrary to the twelve (I disagree with you). How was Abraham righteous? By works or faith? How was King David righteous? By works or faith? How was Peter righteous? Works or faith? It was the Jews that didn’t understand faith; they understood Moses, and every man born in sin understands Moses, law, and works; that is no mystery.
You claim that Luther was so displeased with James’ epistle that he wanted it thrown out of the canon. Again, go to his Galatians commentary on 5:9 “A little leaven doth leaven the whole lump” Within his paragraphs on this verse Luther points out an allegory used by Jesus that the light of the body is the eye. When our eye is single our whole body has light, if it is evil (not single) then our body is dark. Luther says: “By this allegory Christ signifieth that the eye, that is to say, the doctrine, ought to be most simple, clear, and sincere, having in it no darkness, no cloud, &c. AND JAMES THE APOSTLE SAITH, “He that faileth in one point is guilty of all.” (James 2:10) Can you not admit you are mistaken about how Luther felt about the book of James? Luther not only quotes him, but calls him an apostle. Do you not admit that the book of James can be very misunderstood if not read through the eyes of the Spirit and with great care? Everyone knows that the Book of James is quite different and many people call it their “favorite” book. Why? Because they probably have no Spirit in them and man’s reason gravitates to what they understand. “Faith without works is dead” etc. Oh how man so desires some credit, some little thing that makes him worthy of eternal life!!! So many are proving their “faith” by what they do, when all along they have never been born again, have no faith, have no Spirit, and go about “working” for the Lord proving their worthiness. Satan loves it!!! I can attest to this for I was one of these people for 55 years….unaware that I had never been born of God. None of us deserve the gift of Christ and to be justified by His works. We DESERVE hell!!!
Several replies ago I told you I was finished responding to you….but the Lord kept instructing me to respond because of what you would say about my brother, Luther. Other lies about Luther include that he hated the “Jews.” Well, before anyone quotes Luther in saying this they had better define what a Jew was to Luther. It is NOT what we today define as a Jew (someone who doesn’t believe that Jesus is the Messiah), no, a Jew to Luther were the ones CLAIMING CHRIST yet not knowing Him at all; teaching lies and errors under the disguise of truth. Deceiving many, the Pope, and all of his “glorious” array, the monks, the Anabaptists…. all of these are antichrists and yes, Luther hated them for what they were doing to so many people! He called the Papacy, “senseless asses” because of their insistence upon works to justify themselves (even though they would SAY that works do not save). Do you not think Paul hated the false teachers who were deceiving his “little children” the Galatians? Of course he did! He was fighting for them, exhorting them to return to his Gospel which was Christ and Christ alone.
I pray you will sincerely ask the Lord about this, that the Lord is merciful to you as He has been so with me and continues in His mercies each morning.
Marti,
You have not read enough of Luther to understand him. Luther had various views over time. Some of his comments were extremely anti-Semitic. The problem with my critics is that when I ask a question I am met with silence. Here’s the challenge: find a passage in the OT that states David was saved by faith alone or by believing Christ would die for his sins and rise from the dead. Find a passage in the gospels stating men were saved by faith alone. Men were always saved by faith, but not faith alone (exception: Abraham). This was a Pauline revelation. Answer the question as to why those at the Council opposed Paul and told him his converts were not saved unless they kept the Mosaic Law? These were believers who opposed Paul. Had they know Paul’s gospel, they would not have argued with him. Answer these questions and I’ll concede you are right. But if you cannot, logically, you must concede I am right.
By the way, was it not James who writes his letter to the “twelve tribes” (James 1: 1) and not to the “church”….is it not James and the elders present with him that told Paul to prove that he had not “forsaken” Moses by taking four men plus himself and undergo the Nazarite vow which God put a stop to!? (Acts 21: 17-27) Was not the church in Jerusalem, with James as at least one of the leaders, done away with and dispersed? James was under intense persuasion by the Jews claiming Christ; perhaps this is the reason he wrote his epistle trying to explain that works will always proceed from true faith.
Marti,
I’m not sure I understand your point. James ministered to believing Jews, not Gentiles. He had no ministry to Gentiles, which was true of all the 12. He wrote to Jews (James 1.1) as did Peter (1 Peter 1.1). James did not understand Paul’s ministry and was a keeper of the Jewish law throughout his life. He was upset with Paul because Paul taught that believers of his gospel were not under the administration of the Mosaic Law, which is what those at the Council maintained. James believed men were saved by both faith and works and he was right–until Paul came along. If you will read The Great Hinge, I explain all this.
Dear Doctrine,
It is now more than clear how you believe. To say that anyone at any time was ever saved by anything other than faith and faith alone is to leave Christ and all His benefits. I am not in a debate with you for there to be a winner and loser, I’m telling you the truth, but you will not listen. David was saved by faith and faith alone (Romans 4: 1-8; Psalm 32: 1,2; Hebrews 11: 32) Hebrew 11 gives a long list of Old Testament saints that were saved by faith and faith alone….not because of their works in any way. I do not understand why you would give an exception to “Father” Abraham who was the first Jew? I suppose it is because you think the law was after his time. The law was not given for people to think they could keep it….it was given to reveal sin to the sinner. To shine light on the sinner’s sinfulness…to make him aware of his need for a Savior!
The Gospels are full of examples of Jesus telling people that their faith had provided forgiveness of their sins (the real healing) and also their physical healing. The real healing of anyone is faith in Christ….because we are all born “sick” and “blind” in sin.
You are correct that I have not read all that Luther has written, but in his comments on Galatians 3:2 he writes that we ought to diligently read the book of Acts “because it containeth most substantial testimonies, which are able to comfort and confirm us against the Papists our Jews, whose abominations and colored hypocrisy we impugn and condemn by our doctrine, that we may set forth the benefits and glory of Christ…” No where in this commentary have I heard him even mention what we commonly consider a Jew today. I have read almost all of the works of John Bunyan (60 something) and these two men, Luther and Bunyan, understood faith and works….they both had been born again, they both had the Spirit of God indwelling them and their writings reflect that. They both endured intense persecution from the “Christians”…..the false teachers.
Mr. Doctrine, I am after your soul, not your approval or winning this debate. About a year ago I came across a sentence that I found very insightful. I carry it around in my wallet. I do not know who wrote it…it was not signed, which is appropriate.
“It is verity (truth) not victory, that is here contended for because of the nature of spiritual pride, it is the most secret of all sins. There is no other matter in which the heart is more deceitful and unsearchable and there is no other sin in the world that men are so confident in.”
I will most likely not be writing you back anymore and it is not because I cannot defend myself…it is because you have refused to answer my question. Have you earnestly asked God if my words are perhaps the truth? If you have not done this….if you have never been born again then the Holy Spirit does not indwell you and there is no point in discussing any further.
Marti,
As I’ve said, Bunyan and Luther understood faith and works–as explained by Paul. But before Paul, faith and works were not understood in this way. What I am trying to get you to see is that Paul’s revelations were NEW. The 12 had no concept or understanding of them. Jesus did not reveal them in His earthly ministry. The 12 were not saved like we are saved. They did not believe Christ died for their sins and would rise from the dead. The Scriptures state they “understood NONE of these things” (Luke 18.31-34). Is that clear? They were saved by believing Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God. Water baptism was also required. That is what God had revealed (Mark 1.4, 16.16, Acts 2.36-38, 22.16). The apostles at the Council said circumcision and keeping the Law were required for salvation (Acts 15.1, 5). How do you deal with these verses? Ignore them? Deny them? The risen Lord revealed the meaning of His death and resurrection to Paul from heaven. Do you not wonder why Peter at Pentecost did not proclaim Christ’s death and resurrection for salvation? The reason he didn’t is he didn’t know it. Works, before Paul, were wrapped together with faith. If God told you that to be saved required you to do three jumping jacks, would you do them? Now what would that be, faith or works? It would be both, for faith is obedience. In Jesus’ earthly ministry, water baptism was required for salvation. This is clear from the Scriptures which I have provided. Was this a work or faith? It was both. Faith responds to what God has revealed. With Paul we have something entirely different. Faith and works are wrapped up solely in the work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection. No one understood this before Paul because God kept it hidden. The reason so much confusion exists in Christendom is because Paul is read into the Gospels as if what he wrote was always known. It wasn’t, and to say it was is to reject God’s Word–which most of Christendom does. What is before you is a choice–believe the Scriptures or believe tradition, what the vast majority in Christendom teach. But remember, in spiritual matters, the majority are ALWAYS wrong!
Due to having a human mother was there any taint of sin on Christ? I believe He was sinless else His death would be for His sin. Your thoughts?
Another question. Is it wrong to observe the Holy Days even though we know they are for Israel? We understand we dont have to but we are reminded how they fit into Gods plan for Israel.
Charlene,
Please see my article, The Virgin Birth.
Dear Doctrine,
I believe you’re trying to make a mountain out of a molehill. While it is true there is a progression in revelation in Scripture, there are simple basic truths that go unchanging. You teach that Jesus’ instructions were superceded and outdated by what you interpret to be Paul’s teaching. By the same token, we could go on to say, that since John outlived Paul and all the other Apostles, we must sort through all previous revelation to conveniently update and edit it. By making yourself a sort of Pauline addict, and reading your beliefs into his words, you’re setting yourself up for error and for those that follow your teachings.
I prefer to stick to the instructions Paul’s CEO gave to us! He said:
Mt 28:19* Go ye therefore, and teach all nations (Jew and Gentile alike), baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
By the way, I’m a missionary in South America, with the boots on the ground in the front lines of carrying the Gospel. What are you doing for the sake of Christ? While you argue against the validity of water baptism and spend endless hours doing so, we’ve seen the Lord blessing the application and practice of it. For the great mayority of our converts, it has helped confirm their identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection and brought great blessing and stability into their lives. We do not teach it as required or needful for their salvation, but only as an outward sign that confirms publically and openly the step they have taken inwardly, in having believed in the atoning work of Jesus. (By the way, we do not refuse the Lord’s Supper to non-baptized) In dozens of water baptisms, (as believers in the Full Gospel), we’ve witnessed many folk spontaneously receiving the Baptism in the Holy Ghost right in the Baptistry. Many others we’ve seen experiencing the fullness of the Holy Ghost before water baptism. Very obviously God does what He wants and in the way He wants! So are we to say, that your conclusions refute the reality of what these folk have experienced. Continue to write all you want tucked away in your comfy little corner, aloof and apart from the rest of us dummies on the ground who continue to carry out the Great Commission. When the rewards are handed out, we’ll find out who did what they were supposed to do!
May the Lord grace us all to be faithful and true to Him!
Ken,
You must have done graduate work in Phariseeism. Your comments reveal an appalling self-righteousness and arrogance. You think you are better than others because you’re a missionary in South America, “with boots on the ground in the front lines.” You comments reveal egregious misunderstandings in several areas. Jesus spoke the words of Matthew 28.19 to the Eleven–Jews under the Law. This program was under the gospel of the kingdom, not the Church. If you wish to obey Matthew 28.19 you must obey the entire Mosaic Law. Please see my article, The Great Commmission, for these implications. The issue of water baptism is not about helping converts with identification with Christ but what the Scriptures teach. Water baptism was never about identification with Christ. Not one Scripture supports such an idea. Only Paul taught identification with Christ and he taught believers are identified with Him through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, not water. To teach water as the identifier is false teaching. If you were to obey Matthew 28.19, you would have to practice water baptism as a requirement for salvation. The Scriptures are clear one could not be saved apart from water baptism in the kingdom program (Mark 1.4, 16.16; Acts 2.36-38). Lastly, your comments indicates a low regard for the Scriptures since you believe human experience is equal to or above the Scriptures. You appear to have no understanding Satan engages in deceit and what is perceived as “works of God” are deception. Christ appointed Paul, not Peter, not James, not John, as the apostle of the Gentiles. All Christian doctrine comes from Paul. If you desire to obey Christ, teach Paul.
My only intention in stating my occupation, was to affirm that I have seen firsthand countless lives delivered from witchcraft and demonic bondage, that now dearly and gladly serve the Resurrected Christ! If you wish to turn a blind eye toward that reality, proven “on the ground” by thousands upon thousands of changed lives here and on other mission fields, that is your prerogative. I believe in the Gospel, as Jesus, Peter, James, and Paul preached it, with power, anointing, and “signs following”. Sorry, Don, this is one that doesn’t follow your way, but in any case I desire you no evil. May the Lord bless you.
Ken,
I wish the Lord to bless you also. But the Lord blesses obedience to His word. While God brought water from the rock even though Moses struck it in disobedience, Moses never entered the promised land. The “signs” you wrote of have ceased. The power of God is the gospel and Christ’s resurrection, not in signs. Paul taught sign gifts have ceased and that we are to live by faith, hope, and love, not signs. What you fail to understand, and the source of your confusion, is that God’s program revealed through Paul was different from the program to Israel. God began a new program with Abraham and Moses that lasted 2,000 years. It was new. God began a whole new program under Paul. We call it Christianity. The Church was not revealed in the OT. It was new. It has lasted 2,000 years and it too will end at the Rapture. Until you understand God has specific programs for specific times you will remain confused and everything will be mixed up, Law with Grace, Church with Israel, Heaven with Earth, etc. As I stated before, Paul is to us what Abraham, Moses, and the Twelve were for Israel. New program. Stick with Paul and stay on the right road.
It’s okay, Don. I’m stuck to preaching Christ (from all the multiple Scriptural sources) and occupied in His work. I’m sorry you so easily pass off “signs” as having ceased. There is proof otherwise, both from Scriptural and factual premises, but I don’t have time for endless disputes. By the way, your “hero” had a very subjective and life changing supernatural experience on the road to Damascus. It was not his knowledge of Scripture, rather that encounter that brought home to him the reality of the living and resurrected Christ. Obviously must believe that, but since you are so “gungho” on Pauline teaching, maybe you shouldn’t rule out a similar experience in your own life. I would encourage you to leave some space for it and even seek it.
My father, a CMA missionary to Borneo, thought the same as you – that signs belonged to another age. When he faced the reality of the spirit world, the powers of darkness in the land and in the people he went to serve, he realized he wasn’t equipped. He sought God and the Lord met him in a mighty way, revolutionizing his walk and ministry. Look, Don, simply there are too many I’ve met, in addition to my own experiences to negate such a reality proven “on the ground” and from a different view of Scripture than yours. Sorry, we could go back and forth with endless arguments, but like I say, no time nor desire to get involved. Must work for the night is coming!
Sorry if at any time my words at any point sounded offensive! Like I said no evil intended. Won’t we be surprised when we all meet up yonder! :) God bless!
Ken,
The powers of darkness recognized Jesus and Paul (Acts 19.15). Paul wrote the following to the Philippians, “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) If you know the Lord, if you have the Holy Spirit, He will convince you Paul is the appointed apostle of the Gentiles, the founder of the Church, the founder of Christianity, and that the Lord gave him the doctrines by which we are to live godly lives. I have no time to argue either. You can accept it or reject it–just as a Jew could accept or reject Moses. Grace and peace.
Don, one final word in parting: I am not the one in rejection. You erroneously interpret disagreement with your views as rejection of Paul’s teaching. I source Pauline letters as well as all the other books of the Bible in my commitment to know Christ for myself and to preach Him to others. The end of all things is Christ – not Paul, Peter, John, or anyone else. Jesus is the Head, focus, and goal of the Church!
You avoided my suggestion to give some space in your life for a personal encounter with the living Christ. But at least, don’t reject or stigmatize those of us who believe in a supernatural, “close up” God, who reveals Himself through His Word, but also through the Spirit.
It would do you well to follow Gamaliel’s wise suggestion:
Acts 5:38* And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39* But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Gamaliel was wise enough to realize he or no one should presumptuously write off anything as not being of God. Maybe he didn’t fully understand what was going on, nor did it fit into his own theological think tank, but at least he gave allowance for the fact that “just maybe” God was at work. Very wisely he played it safe… Maybe it would do you well to follow suit.
May our hearts be in line with Paul’s prayer: Eph 1:17* That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
Blessings!
Ken,
I’m not sure what you have in mind with a statement like “give some space in your life for a personal encounter with the living Christ.” Do you think I am not a Christian or are you saying a personal encounter is seeking tongues, healing gifts, gifts of knowledge, etc.? If the latter, you’re asking me to seek things Paul stated have ceased. Paul wrote, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” Today, the believer is to live by faith, hope, and love. These have replaced sign gifts. The canon is complete. The power of God is the gospel and Christ’s resurrection. To seek anything else is foolishness and disobedience. The living Christ is the Word of God Who reveals Himself through the written word. The Word specifically given to believers today are the doctrines of Paul. That is why Paul commanded believers to imitate him. See my article, Follow Paul?
Hello brother, I would first like to say that I’ve read a great deal of your articles and I am always encouraged by the insight you provide from the scriptures. Since this article deals with baptism, I was wondering if you could shed some light on 1 Peter 3:21 to help me disprove those who use this verse as support that baptism saves (which is nonsensical).
Luis,
Peter wrote to Jews (1 Peter 1.1), not to Gentiles, not to the Church, the body of Christ. According to the gospel of the kingdom water baptism was required for salvation (Mark 1.4, 16.16; Acts 2.36-38, 22.16). However, in this verse, Peter recognized that mere water could not wash away sin. Water baptism was supposed to include a spiritual component, a mental attitude of repentance towards God which salvation required. In Acts 2.38, Peter told the Jews, “Repent and be baptized…for the forgiveness of sins.”
Brother,
Then why is it that in 1 Peter 2:24 Peter writes that “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross…” This sounds very much like something Paul would teach. If Peter is indeed indicating that his gospel is the gospel of the kingdom, then wouldn’t he have focused on Jesus’ identity (i.e. The messiah/Christ) ? How would this relate to my previous question regarding the baptism of repentance? Hope you can shed some light, and thanks again for your time.
Luis,
By the time Peter wrote 1 Peter (probably mid to later 60s) he understood the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection. He had learned much from Paul but still found some things difficult (2 Peter 3.15-16). The gospel of the kingdom ended in 51 A.D. From that point forward, only Paul’s gospel was valid. See my article, The Great Hinge.
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I really enjoy your articles and I hope you do write more in the future. Grace and peace be with you.
Luis,
Thank you. Grace and peace to you also.
Finally a statement that I totally agree with.One night on the way home from an Assembly of God bible study ,as my thoughts struggled with this topic,I believe it was the Holy Spirit spoke to my mind and said “baptism means a spiritual washing”
But now what,anybody got any ideas where I can find a church that has this doctrine.
I need to add one more thought in your defense doctrine,after reading what others are saying here ,I wish they could see how defensive their comments are.9 out of 10 times I try to state my opinion on this topic I am greeted with a defensive comment as well.I would be interested on learning WHY they feel the way they do about this topic,all I can hear through their writings is how right they are .The Lord has taught me that Faith is a gift,and aint nobody gonna get faith on their own ,you get it through obedience,and once you get it you guard it with your life cause you don’t want to ever lose it cause the trial you went through to get it was rough.Anybody can memorize the bible and quote something some theologian said 1000 years ago,but when the rubber meets the road what really counts is your personal walk with our creator.and this topic along with a bunch of others can be a real stumbling block and we all should know what the bible says about stumbling blocks. The Lord speaks to us through his word,we need to be patient though cause Gods time and our time are different,we need to train ourselves to be obedient,it’s not hard it’s just difficult.
Todd,
Thank you. Religion and tradition hold great power. Too many simply believe things that are not in the Scriptures or misunderstand the context of what is there, to whom was it written, when was it written, etc.
In Acts 19: when Paul arrives at Ephesus and found some disciples he asked them “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” My question is – If we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit when we believe in Jesus, why did these disciples not automatically receive the Holy Spirit upon believing? Was it that they had believed in WHO Jesus was but had not received the full message of his death for our sins and his resurrection? This passage has always left me wondering if we can believe in Jesus and yet not receive the Holy Spirit. Obviously without the Holy Spirit you are not saved.When Jesus says in John 3:5 “no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit,” I always thought he was speaking of water baptism and Spiritual baptism. Could you explain this passage? Was Jesus saying that water baptism shows that a person recognizes sin and the need for repentance and unless you understand and acknowledge this you will never recognize the need for a Savior? Did he say this because he was teaching as one under the law, and that was his reason for recognizing both water and Spiritual baptism.
I really value your insight. You have helped me greatly in understanding Gods word. This is the one site I really feel helps me in my understanding. This site makes it all fit together perfectly. Before sometimes I would feel like I would read a passage and then come across other passages that would seem to contradict a passage somewhere else. It would leave me feeling confused. I am smart enough to know that there are no contradictions in the Bible so it has to be my understanding. It has always led me to study and study as issue until I gain the insight to make it all fit! THIS SITE DOES THAT!! I thank God for this site because I have grown so much in my understanding through this site. No other Bible study has done that for me, so Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Kerri,
These individuals were believers of the kingdom gospel. While the Holy Spirit had come at Pentecost, He clearly did not come upon all believers. But all who believed Paul’s gospel received the Holy Spirit. I do not fully understand this but can only note that is what the Scriptures state. Obviously, the kingdom gospel was diminishing due to Israel’s rejection and by Acts 15.11 ended. Under the gospel of the kingdom water baptism was required for salvation (Mark 1.4, 16.15; Acts 2.36-38; 22.16). So this is what Jesus was teaching in John 3. Paul initially bapitized with water but did not hold it to be that important (1 Corinthians 1.17). It was clearly unnecessary for salvation since Paul taught believing the gospel saves (Romans 1.16-17, 4.5). By the time he wrote Ephesians, water baptism ended as a Christian practice (Ephesians 4.5). The “one baptism,” the only valid baptism in Christianity is the baptism of the Holy Spirit who baptizes us into Christ, into His body. Thank you for your kind words. Grace and peace.
Don – I want to thank you for correctly and effectively dividing the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15) for the edification of the Church. Your clear and well thought out responses truly displays what it means to be a Berean, searching the Words daily (Acts 17:11).
I want to encourage you to continue pressing onward and strengthening those who are willing to listen/read your findings.
“If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.” 1 Timothy 4:6
J,
Thank you for your kind words. I’m glad what I have written has been helpful.
Quick comment: Was the thief who was crucified with Jesus baptized before he died? Didn’t Jesus tell him that he would surely be with him in heaven? Shouldn’t that end all arguments whether or not you have to be baptized with water to be saved?
Rebel,
The thief was not baptized. He came to recognize who Jesus was on the cross. He was an exception–God’s prerogative.
Don,
Thanks for these articles. They have cleared up a few questions that I’ve had. I do have one more question for you though. In John 1:29 we read that John the Baptist called Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” This seems to me to indicate that John the Baptist understood that Jesus had come as the perfect sacrifice to pay for all our sins. But there are other verses such as Mark 9:32 and Luke 9:45 that indicate the disciples did not understand why Jesus was going to die. Do you think John the Baptist understood more than the disciples did?
Nancy,
It’s a difficult passage but do not think John understood what he said. I dealt with this issue to some degree in my article, For Whom Did Christ Die?
Thank you for your ministry your studies have been a main stay for me as I have been studying dispensational truth over the past three years. I attend a southern Baptist church in the south and my attempts to share some of these truths to my friends in the church have been very difficult. My pastor is doing a study on the book of Acts and when he comes to Acts 2 :38 he says that repent and be baptized for the remission of your sins must be interpreted that the baptism part is because of our repentance and is separated from the repentance part as something that follows it. I know from your studies that this was not true for the Jew during that time. His argument is tied into the word eis which is the greek word for, (for remission of sins). He says that the word eis/for always means because of and he gave a few examples, Matthew 4:21 and a few others that he indicated supported this view. I looked up the word eis and was amazed at the difference of opinions on how this word should be interpreted in the scripture. Some say it always means because of and others say it never means because of. I know you have some expertise in this area and thought you could shed some light on this subject. I have a good friend that is an associate pastor at our church and his comment to me on this subject that if we believe that it is repentance and baptism for remission of sins then our Baptist theology is incorrect. I know that he says this because he doesn’t understand dispensational truth, but if this verse is correctly interpreted that should at least start the conversation on the difference of the kingdom gospels and Paul’s truths that were revealed to him. Thank you again for all your work on Doctrine.
Mike,
Thank you. Since εἰς is not used in Matthew 4.21, I don’t think one can make a case for it there. :). A.T. Robertson (a good Baptist) discusses the preposition extensively (his is one of the great grammars)(https://books.google.com/books?id=tt-7CgAAQBAJ&pg=PT502&lpg=PT502&dq=εἰς+%2B+accusative&source=bl&ots=AVgch3OPad&sig=q4jqFZ9GcoT4MYqjY7st5M_3tKk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjuo_iYs7jSAhVnw4MKHb_oBjEQ6AEIaDAN#v=onepage&q=εἰς%20%2B%20accusative&f=false). But we really don’t need all this to solve the question. The Scriptures state water baptism was required for salvation under the gospel of the kingdom. One could not be saved apart from it. See Mark 1.4, 16.16, Acts 2.38, 22.16. Peter addressed only Jews at Pentecost. He told them to repent and be baptized. This was consistent with all that John, Jesus, and the Twelve’s message. Paul does not mention repentance in his letters except once (Romans 2.4) regarding unbelievers. He does mention it a couple times regarding believers. For Paul, the emphasis is upon belief, not repentance. Paul also did not think water baptism was important to his ministry (1 Corinthians 1.17) and stated that water baptism had ended by the time he wrote Ephesians (Ephesians 4.5). See my article on Baptism for more.
Thank you for the response. I agree, but it is difficult to have the baptism conversation with a Baptist and they quote a scholar like Robertson who would tell you that all the verses you have referenced would never mean that baptism is tied into salvation. For me this is key in helping people understand the two gospels.
Mike,
A grammatical discussion about εἰς can never resolve the matter (which is why I included Robertson’s analysis). Everything depends upon reading the Scriptures without bias. The verses I referenced state explicitly that salvation required water baptism.
Hello bro Don, great article! But I am still curious to know how did John and the apostles baptize? Immersion seems to not be scriptural, some say dipping them sprinkling, some pouring – these would seem to agree with large crowds and emphasis on much water, in scripture, and lastly sprinkling which can be done with a big barrel of water? Which method do you tend to lean on?, thanks for your help :)
George,
We’re not given specifics. Most likely, John immersed in the Jordan. But circumstances would have dictated the mode. Baptism was based on the actions of the priests. They washed (βαπτισμός), Hebrews 9.10 before performing their duties. Israel was to become a holy nation, a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19.4-6). That was what baptism was about.
In 1st Cor 11:1, Paul says to the Corinthians to keep the ordinances, is baptism included ? , I thought that all ordinances were nailed to the cross?, please explain Paul’s contradictory statements, thanks!
George,
The problem is not with Paul but with the translation. The word translated “ordinances” is παράδοσις and means “teachings.” These were the truths Paul had taught. See 2 Thessalonians 2.15, 3.6 where Paul used the same word in writing the Thessalonians.
I have been reading your work for about two weeks now and it makes so much sense to me and I can’t go back to the way I once viewed the Scriptures. All that I had built since my conversion in late 2015 was built on sand and the denominational teachings of the institutional church. I have since then started to build on a rock solid foundation. In your opinion what is the best modern bible version out there today which I can use to teach those that are new to the scriptures? I currently use the KJV for myself but I think many new bible readers would find the language difficult. Thank you for all your work and may the Grace and Peace of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be always upon you.
Nick,
Thank you for your wonderful testimony and for sharing the great work the Lord is doing in your life. I prefer a more literal translation such as KJV and NASB. I like the KJV since I am skeptical about some of the assumptions made in textual criticism regarding the majority text and critical text. Most translations are pretty decent (I give most of them a B grade). The biggest complaint I have with translators is when they fail to translate and become interpreters. May the Lord continue to enlighten and enrich your life.
Nick,
Find a bible study app(mysword) or site (crosswalk or biblos) that allows you to click on the word/words then gives you the hebrew/Greek word that the English word was translated from and the definition of the Hebrew/Greek word. The examples I gave you are very user friendly and you will be surprised just how many times translators became interpretors. May the Lord continue to illuminate you in this journey of viewing the bible from a dispensational view.
Matthew
Do any of you remember when you first believed? Right then and there, did you not experience the amazing love of Christ? I knew nothing of baptism – wet or dry. I knew nothing of grace only or Paul’s mystery. All I knew was that I believed in Christ crucified. 14 years later…years of following tradition and mixing Jesus’s message vs Paul’s – I began praying for wisdom so that I could understand my purpose in the Body of Christ, not in a local non-denominational building. Seek the truth like treasure and Christ guarantees you will find it!
In Ephesians 4:5 Paul says that there are not several kinds of baptism, but one baptism, namely into Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27) Is there a difference to be baptized into Jesus Christ and in the name of the Lord Jesus? (Acts 10:48; Acts 19:5).
Does “into the Lord Jesus” means baptism in Holy Spirit, while the “in the name of Lord Jesus” means baptism in water?
Does believing in Christ work on the cross mean that one is being buried with Him in baptism in the Holy spirit into death, and into the Body of Christ?
Isaac,
Paul only taught one baptism, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Early in his ministry he performed water baptism but by the time he wrote Corinthians that was over. The baptisms in Acts were water baptisms. One need also recognize that Acts 19.5 speaks not of another baptism but of John’s baptism. When one believes Paul’s gospel he is baptized into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12.13).
Thanks for answering and clearifying this.
Luke is writing in Acts chapter 11 that the community in Antioch was the first to be called christians. Does this mean that they were the first community to practice the gospel of grace which Paul had thought them?
Isaac,
Most likely.
Hi again,
But how can we base out faith upon these verses in Ephesians 4:5 , when there is a huge dispute between theologians wether Paul actually wrote the Ephesians epistle or not.
Isaac,
Several ways to answer this but essentially such objections are unsound. Hoehner devotes about 60 pages in his commentary to a discussion of this subject. This was not an issue until about 1800 since Ephesians was accepted by all ancient witnesses as written by Paul. Those who oppose Pauline authorship have no credible explanation how Pauline authorship could be accepted for 1700 years. The internal evidence also supports Pauline authorship.
Hello brothers,
I would to say that now more than ever the Pauline message is under fire. We are told in scripture several things…
2 Tim. 3:16, 17.
1 Thessalonians. 4:11, 2 Tim. 2:15,16.
2 Peter 1:21.
Not only do I believe Ephesians was written by Paul but also that his letters are laid out for our learning and edification.
No other was given the revelation of the mystery or the mystery of Christ.
This is particularly why the enemy is so against it. It reveals God’s eternal plan for the heavens which are now subject to corruption just like the earth is. But one day will be delivered! Rom. 8:20,21.
We simply need to trust God.
I am thinking of eph 4:6, when Paul says “one baptism”. Is it possible that baptism in spirit and fire was implemented into water baptism, after Jesus died on the cross?
Isaac,
Paul only taught one baptism: the baptism of the Holy Spirit. By the time Paul wrote Ephesians, water baptism was no longer valid for members of the Church, the body of Christ. Water baptism that is practiced today is a carry-over from Judaism, not Christianity.
You do realize the idea that “water baptism is only for Israel” completely breaks down with the Ethiopian eunuch. He is a Gentile (there is Biblical evidence for this if you would like it), and his conversion is completed in water (Acts 8:36-39)
Cornelius’s conversion ends with his baptism in water (Acts 10:47-48)
Acts 18:7-8 and 1 Corinthians 1:13-16 show Paul having baptized Crispus, Gaius and Stephanas all in water. Crispus was the synagogue president and thus a Jew. Gaius is a Latin name, and Stephanas is a Greek name. The Corinthian church was made up mainly of Gentiles, so the probability is high that Gaius and Stephanas are both Gentiles whom Paul personally baptized in water.
The claim that Gentiles only need Spirit baptism and not water baptism is a false doctrine. Look at the early church fathers. Those who learned from the apostles (including Paul), and they all believed both Jews and Gentiles needed water baptism in the name of Jesus for conversion. Neither Scripture nor history are on your side.
Fenton,
Why would you think the Ethiopian eunuch was a Gentile? Who but a Jew would come to Jerusalem to worship and be reading Isaiah? Also, Acts 11.19 makes it clear believing Jews had no ministry to Gentiles. Paul’s point in 1 Corintians 1 was that water baptism was not important and fading away. By the time of Paul’s Roman imprisonment it had ceased. Ephesians 4.5 clearly states there is only one baptism—the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism has no place in Christianity for the obedient believer.
Well, in Acts, Luke is very interested in the group known as God-fearers or worshippers of God: Gentiles who believed in YHWH but never became full proselyte converts to Judaism. Cornelius in Acts 10, Lydia in Acts 16, Titius Justus in Acts 18 are all such characters. Also, don’t forget the Greeks in John 12:20 that went up to the festival. So, plenty of non-Jews would go to Jerusalem to worship. See the prophecy in Isaiah 56 about eunuchs and foreigners who would have a future place in God’s house. This is the same passage that Jesus quotes from saying “My house will be a house of prayer for all nations”. So that answers your question of who but a Jew would be coming to Jerusalem to worship and be reading Isaiah.
1) Ethiopian – “A cushite”, a person of dark brown or black skin (Jeremiah 13:23), like Moses’ (second?) wife, (Numbers 12:1), someone from Africa. Psalm 68 prophecies about Egypt and Cush reaching out to YHWH.
2) Treasurer – for queen of the Ethiopians, the “Kandake” or queen mother of the Ethiopians. Also referred to as Nubia, its two chief cities at this time were Meroe and Napata.
The Kandake was from the Lineage of Sheba/of the South – 1 Kings 10:1-13. She is described as being from “the ends of the earth”, the term used in Luke 11:31 which also ties it to Acts 1:8. From her visit to Solomon, this region of the world learned about YHWH, the God of the Jews.
3) Eunuch – excluded from the Assembly (Deut. 23:1, Levi. 21:16-24), forbidden entrance into the inner courts of the Temple; could not become a Jew/proselyte (lack of circumcision).
4) If that wasn’t enough evidence, you have the OT foreshadowing. So, we know in 1 Peter 3:18-22, it is said that Noah and his family were saved through water. We know the earth was wicked and had to be submerged under water to remove the sin, and in baptism, we are full of sins until immersed in the water where they are washed away.
Back to the point, Noah’s three sons are Shem, Ham, and Japheth. If you read the accounts from Genesis 6 – 10, when listed together they are always listed as Shem, Ham, Japheth (even though Ham is the youngest). Looking at the Table of Nations in Genesis 10, the Israelites are descendants of Abraham who was from Aram, they are sons of Shem. The Cushites, Caananites, Egyptians, Philistines and the peoples from Africa are descendants of Ham. The Europeans and Asians are descendants of Japheth.
The book of Acts ties the Holy Flood of baptis in 1 Peter 3:18-22 to the Flood from Genesis 6 – 10. In Acts 1 – 8:25, we see Jews (SONS OF SHEM) baptized into Christ. In Acts 8:26-40, we see an Ethiopian (SON OF HAM) baptized into Christ. In Acts 10-28, starting with Cornelius, we see lots of Asians and Europeans (SONS OF JAPHETH) baptized into Christ.
So we see again the order of Shem, Ham and finally Japheth. Are you willing to argue that the descendants of Ham are Jews, because if you look at that list in Genesis 10, they are certainly NOT.
Why do you think that the private conversion of one man made it into the Bible? Only he and Philip knew about it. Luke gets the information from Philip in Acts 21:7-10 when he and Paul visit Philip and stay with him. This was the private conversion of a Gentile that happened before Cornelius and the church at large probably doesn’t find out about it until 20-30 years later when Luke writes the book of Acts. But the Holy Spirit included it because God leaves no loose end untied.
This evidence is extremely compelling to anyone willing to read and do the research.
Fenton,
Your error results from the failure to recognize that neither Jesus nor the Twelve, or any in the Jerusalem church, had a ministry to Gentiles. The great issue in the ministry of John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Twelve was to bring Israel to repentance and accept Jesus as the Messiah. This is what Jesus told the apostles in Acts 1.8. Gentile ministry could not begin until Israel accepted its Messiah. This is why the Jerusalem church was so upset with Peter’s going to Cornelius. But on the larger issue of baptism, it was a sign to Israel, a cleansing of the nation. It portrayed the priests washing as they ministered at the Temple. Every Jew was to be a priest in the kingdom. This was God’s promise to the nation in Exodus 19.6 and which Peter wrote to the Jews in 1 Peter 2.9. Only then could Jews minister to Gentiles. Since the nation refused, they could not fulfill the Great Commission. That commission cannot and will not be fulfilled until Christ establishes His kingdom (Zechariah 8.20-23).
So, you didn’t address a single point I brought up. The overwhelming evidence suggests that the Ethiopian eunuch was a Gentile. This one simple conversion plus all those in Acts 11:19-26, which occur to Gentiles with NO knowledge of Paul show that water baptism was and still is essential to salvation for anyone and everyone.
Not to mention Paul water baptized Gentiles in Corinth, see Acts 18:7-8 and 1 Corinthians 1:13-16.
Again, address all the facts about Gentiles I brought up earlier and all the Biblical evidence showing the Ethiopian eunuch to be a Gentile.
Fenton,
On the contrary, I gave you basically the entire OT and Gospels to show you why the Ethiopian eunuch was not a Gentile. In addition, I provided Acts 11.19. If you will not believe God’s prophetic program you cannot understand baptism.
The Apostle Paul was himself baptized in water.The Apostle Paul never said,that water baptism was not essentail to the washing away of sins.Read the book,”Acts of the Apostles”.Everytime a person repented of there sin they were baptized in water.Beware of the lies of the Devil,saying being water baptized is not for today.TheDevil use’s man to spread his lies,beware of the false gospel.
Steve,
Yes, Paul baptized. But you have missed the point. In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul stated Christ sent him not to baptize but to proclaim the gospel. This was one of the things that set his ministry apart from John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Twelve. Later, while imprisioned in Rome, Paul wrote the Ephesians that there was only one baptism—the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This was Paul’s official statement that water baptism had ended. It has no place in the Church today for those who will believe God. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the only baptism that counts today.
Archaeologists Uncover Life of Luxury in 2,000-year-old Priestly Quarters of Jerusalem
Luxuries, like a bathtub, signal that the 2000-year old house being dug up in Mt. Zion, near Caiaphas’ home, belonged to a member of the ruling class.
read more: https://www.haaretz.com/jewish/archaeology/1.730486
Is it possible the ‘bathtub’ is not a bathtub but a site for ritual washings? If the nation of Israel is to be a ‘nation of priests’ aren’t they all to wash? Could baptism be a form of ritual washings/purification for newly initiated priests? Is Communion a requirement for salvation or done for remembrance? Paul included himself in a 7 day purification (Acts 21) but to what ends?
Joe,
I think this bathtub is an actual bathtub in the priests residence. They had washing facilities in the Temple.
Okay, thanks….I remember Les Feldick talking about one of his trips to Israel and visiting a newly discovered site of a supposed priest and his residence had 7 bathrooms. Seems excessive. I’ve never been to Israel. I’ve read several of Herman Wouk’s books. Two detail the history from 1948 up through the Yom Kippur war of ’73. (“The Hope” & “The Glory”) good reads. Hard to believe God’s hand no involved in some of the battles. The tank battle with Syria on the Golan Heights (Valley of Death) is historic…..it even made one of the History channal’s top tank battles in history.
Joe,
God’s hand is behind the scenes directing these events. Most Jews will not recognize this fact. He is bringing everything together for His purposes. Hope to read these two novels by Wouk. Great writer—have read Winds of War and War and Remembrance. Fabulous books on WW2.
We can relate Col 2:12 with Rom 6:4-5. But hos do we know for sure that Paul isn’t writing about water baptism in these passages?
Isaac,
Paul had little to say about water baptism and when he did mention it, it was not an important subject. What he did talk about a good deal was the believer’s spiritual identification with Christ in His death and resurrection that comes as a result of believing the gospel. This is why Paul wrote the Corinthians that Christ sent him not to baptize but to proclaim the gospel (1 Corinthians 1. For Paul, the baptism of the Holy Spirit was what was important. God commissioned John the Baptist and the Twelve to baptize in water. God commissioned Paul to proclaim the believer’s baptism in Christ and our identification with Him.
Isaac,
Here are some more scriptures for our baptism today…:)
Romans 6:4 KJV — Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Colossians 2:12 KJV — Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
It is done by the Holy Spirit.
Titus 3:5 KJV — Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Blessings!…:)
Also, Eph.4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Being a dispensationalist, the Ephesians passage you quote is the very one that comes to my mind regarding baptism. Thank you for citing that!
I have been enjoying your articles and your book. I wholeheartedly agree that Christians should not view baptism as a necessary part of salvation, and also that churches today give it too great an emphasis. I certainly agree with your statements that Paul did not hold it to be that important, it was clearly unnecessary for salvation, and the “one baptism,” the only valid baptism; but, I don’t see the evidence that it had ended as a Christian practice, or that Christians today are “disobedient” for practicing it. Yes Ephesians 4:5 describes one baptism, but that could easily mean there is one true baptism, one baptism and that really counts, or read in the context of the whole passage, one baptism that unites us in the body of Christ. We simply don’t have a “No longer be baptized with water, but instead…” command, or a Galatians 5:2 or 5:12. I believe as you it is vital to teach the Biblical use of baptism, but I don’t believe anyone now has the authority to forbid it, or shame those for whom it is meaningful event and public witness.
I mourn the divisiveness that results from taking interpretation of a verse or two and turning it into doctrine. For example:
If a woman cuts her hair she is sinning. 1 Corinthians 11:15
If a woman uses birth control she is sinning Gen 1:28
If is sinful for a woman to wear pants Deut 22:5
It is sinful to drink alcohol Eph 5:18
It is sinful for a woman to speak or teach in church 1 Cor 14:34-35
And so on. I’m sure there are hundreds more. I love discussing the Bible with my mom, but if you don’t agree with her interpretation, her response is often “Well, you just don’t believe the Bible.” Her take on the scripture often leaves no room for debate.
I’ve known hundreds of Christians who have been baptized, but not one I know that would say it was necessary for their salvation. Everywhere I’ve attended it’s been viewed as a public expression of being identified with Christ in death, burial, and resurrection and is explained as such to viewers. It’s a ceremony like a wedding, graduation, or a funeral; people could easily wed, get degrees, and die without them, but the ceremony has a valid purpose. Who are we to say a Christian should not do this, as long as they and viewers are informed on what it is and what it is not?
My Sunday School teacher used to say Christians get in trouble being dogmatic where the Bible is not. I hope you will consider softening your stance toward the type of baptism I’ve described.
Regards,
Neal
Neal,
Thank you. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying the articles and book. In response, I would ask if you know of anything more divisive than water baptism. Water baptism is the single most divisive practice in Christendom. No one agrees about it. The greatest problem of Christendom has been the abandonment of and failure to understand Paul’s ministry and doctrines. Paul made it clear in 1 Corinthians that water baptism had only a minor role in his ministry and teachings to the Church. But water baptism has a dominant position in churches today. By the time Paul wrote Ephesians, he stated there was but “one baptism.” What baptism did Paul emphasize? It was the baptism of the Holy Spirit. How does Paul’s emphasis compare with Christendom’s teaching? The baptism of the Holy Spirit is but a shadow in the teachings of most churches compared to water baptism. While we should strive for unity as much as possible, the examples of divisiveness you selected are straw men. Each of them can be easily dismissed. For example, Ephesians 5.18 does not say it is a sin to drink alcohol. It says not to be drunk with alcohol but filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul’s statement about “one baptism” is as clear as any statement can be. One baptism. It is dogmatic. The reason it is controversial is not because it is unclear but because water baptism is an entrenched tradition. Paul commanded believers to imitate him. That is how we obey Christ. Water baptism in the Church, the body of Christ, is contrary to this. Paul wrote, “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (1 Corinthians 1.17). Lastly, not one Scripture indicates water baptism meant identification with Christ in His death and resurrection. Those who proclaim this do it on their on authority, not God’s authority. I would also add that most who do this do it out of ignorance. They do not know the Scriptures. I encourage you to consider these things.
Hello Don,
Thank you for your reply. In our area and I don’t see much controversy over baptism, but perhaps I’m oblivious to it. The “straw men” examples are obvious to you, but whole denominations seem to exist over these interpretations. In over half of the churches in my city one would not be able to minister in any position if they consumed alcohol. I spoke to a man yesterday who left his church of over 30 years because they placed a woman as a deacon. There is controversy over those that minister who have immoral lifestyles. All these churches have what they consider scriptural support for their positions. The division occurs when Christians apply their interpretations to others rather than just themselves, turning it into religion and ultimately legalism. Even Paul had the caution when to say “I, not the Lord”.
I agree that we overemphasize baptism, and to make it a condition for membership, salvation, or to tell a new convert it makes them somehow complete is heresy. You did not address the use of baptism I mentioned, a ceremony of celebration and public witness. It is unfortunate that it is labeled as “disobedient”. What we are given in Scripture is in the opinion of many, too thin to make such an injunction for others to follow.
As to 1 Corinthian’s 1, my take on that is that Paul was encouraging unity and makes it obvious in verse 15 why he was glad he did not baptize, “so no one can say that you were baptized in my name”. That admonition is still relevant today in case someone thinks they’re being baptized (symbolically) into anything other than the body the Christ. As to identification, I interpret that from Romans 6:3-4. Since we do not experience actual physical death, burial, and resurrection we identify with Christ’s, and through grace are identified by God as having experienced this in Christ. Of course water baptism can now only serve as a symbol of this. As to OT/gospels baptism, I don’t completely understand the symbolism, unless it is a foreshadowing of Christ.
I do understand the importance of correctly teaching baptism of the Holy Spirit. The distinctions set forth in John 1:33 and Ephesians 4:5 make that clear. Water baptism is so entrenched today it is vital that all Christians understand the distinction as well. As to abolishing it, as the saying goes, one must choose their hill to die on.
Warm regards,
Neal
Neal,
I am surprised by your statement about little controversy about water baptism in your area. My experience is that no one agrees. Some baptize infants, some only adults, some only immerse, some sprinkle, some require it for salvation, some require it for church membership, some require it to teach. If everyone agrees in your area about water baptism then you must live in a religious utopia. I have never understood the position of drinking alcohol as sinful since not one verse in the Bible states this. On the contrary, wine is spoken of as abundance and joy, associated with the blessings of God’s kingdom. I have heard sermons against alcohol—that Jesus created grape juice at the wedding of Cana and if He did not He was a sinner for real wine would have encouraged drunkenness. I have never heard a sermon that when Jesus caused the 153 fish to be caught by the 7 disciples after His resurrection He was encoraging gluttony. Such is the hyposcrisy of preachers. The traditions of men were the single greatest problem Jesus had in His earthly ministry. The smaller point of Paul not baptizing was that of creating divisions. The larger point was that Christ did not send him to baptize. God sent John the Baptist to baptize. Jesus sent the Twelve to baptize. He did not send Paul to baptize. This should concentrate the mind of any who would live godly lives in Christ. I think I did address your point about water baptism as a public witness. No Scriptural support exists for it. I have witnessed many baptisms. But I have never found any Scriptural support for what preachers say during these ceremonies as to the significance and meaning of the baptism. Water baptism for Israel was a sign of washing. Cleanliness was necessary so Jews could serve as priests (Exodus 19.6). Before priests could serve they had to wash extensively and the word for washing is βαπτισμός (Hebrews 9.10). Romans 6 is bone dry. Those who equate it with water baptism err greatly. Furthermore, water baptism was never a symbol of burial. Water baptism always had to do with cleansing. When one abandons the Scriptures there are lots of hills to die on.
Brother Don,
I did not mean to say there was agreement. I meant no controversy, as in open dispute on the matter. They practice as the wish and leave each other be. And yes, many overemphasize it, but I’ve never been to a church where they declare it necessary for salvation. You are the only party openly disputing the practice that I know of, other than Les Feldick. I sought out his videos are heard his similar view. Now I see controversy.
I agree with you on alcohol, my point is that many take a stance on this and refuse to budge. It is right to be wary when you find yourself in the majority, but also when encountering someone or some group who claims they have it exactly right. No matter how many times I read the 1st Corinthians passage, unity still comes out as the main point. As to Roman 6, I did acknowledge that what Christians practice is only symbolic of the “one Baptism”, that of the Holy Spirit. Yes we made it up and it may not have good scriptural support, but who has the authority to say a Christian can’t observe it.
I’ll not bother you more, but in my opinion, equating it with circumcision and declaring believers and churches “disobedient” is overreaching. How far can you impose on a Christian the idea of “lacks scriptural support”? What does “freedom in Christ” mean exactly, in practice? If a believer wants to sing in the Christmas cantata, have an Easter egg hunt, or be baptized, who should forbid it? Once you interpret a scripture and deduce you should forbid, how can you ignore the ones that explicitly forbid, like women speaking in church? Where do you stop? Can you then omit one point without becoming a hypocrite?
Forgive me for challenging you on this issue in your forum. I am actually neither strongly for or against baptism. If our church stopped it I would have no objection. I am for teaching sound doctrine, but I am against Christians interpreting a scripture a certain way and then shaming each other for their differing practices. I agree with many of your statements about baptism but not all of them, and I fear strong words can be divisive and harmful. Otherwise, I have enjoyed learning so much in your columns and book. Thank you again.
Neal
Neal,
Churches have never come to grip with Paul’s statement, “Christ sent me not to baptize.” Baptism in Christendom is based primarily on Matthew 28.19, a passage that has nothing to do with the Church. The “great commission,” is for Israel and since it is for Israel, the Church cannot fulfill it. God won’t let it. My goal in the articles I write is to get people to think, to discern what is written to us and what is written for us—to understand what is to Israel and what is to the Church. If one will do this, almost all controversies disappear. If one won’t do this, confusion and contradiction results, the state of most of Christendom. As to “freedom in Christ,” in your particular environment, where is freedom regarding drinking alcohol? Unless “freedom in Christ” is Biblically-based it is just theological political-correctness or bullying. No one wanted unity more than Paul but his ministry was a constant battleground. Nothing has changed.
Neal and Don…
One thing I’ve noticed more and more in the news and Bible blogs is being willing to compromise. We just cannot compromise on the Lord’s words. I often wonder if we believers realise that the dispensation of the grace of God is the only one of its kind in the Bible… this I believe is why once we are saved, we are always saved. Salvation is a GIFT of God! It is very plain when we read our Paul’s epistles, the words of Christ himself for us in our time, it is faith in what God has accomplished in Christ Jesus work plus nothing. Why then would we compromise even on baptism?
1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV — For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
It’s so obvious any saving of anyone is and can only be done by God, himself. We can’t possibly add a thing to that.
The other thing is the Lord has told us through Paul is to teach nor other doctrine.
1 Timothy 1:3 KJV — As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1 Timothy 6:3 KJV — If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1 Timothy 4:16 KJV — Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
There are many more scriptures regarding the Lord’s doctrine, in this Grace age. I hold with Doctrine on this issue, but am no judge of anyone. That is the Lord’s to do.
Blessings!!
The Sunday school teacher was telling us (I was a kid when this happened) that wine meant grape juice. I asked the teacher about 1 Tim 3:3. If wine meant grape juice then preachers couldn’t drink it? I have seen many fat preachers. One of my first bible teachers taught that sin basically flowed from two sources. One is asceticism and the other lasciviousness. It comes as a surprise to most, I believe, that most do not deal with alcohol, sex, drugs or rock and roll . Check these out:
Proverbs 6:16-19New International Version (NIV)
16
There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
17
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
18
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19
a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
New International Version (NIV)
Hello bro Don, if Cornelius was baptized with the Acts 2 baptism, why was the order different, the Holy Spirit came on Cornelius before he got baptised? Also how is this comission – Matthew 28:19 KJV
[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
How is this comission different from acts 2 comission regarding gentiles, thanks
George,
The different order was a clue to Peter that God had begun to do something different with Gentiles. This came into play in Acts 15 when Peter remembered that Cornelius and his family were saved apart from circumcision, baptism, keeping the Law, or any other work. What occurred in Acts 2 was to prepare Jews to be the Holy Spirit empowered witnesses to Gentiles. Had Israel repented and accepted Jesus as the Messiah, this would have taken place. Since the nation would not, it could not occur. Israel will resume this role under the leadership of the two witnesses and the 144,000 in the Tribulation.
Don,
You state “While baptism has the idea of cleansing…..” Where in Scripture does it associate baptism with cleansing?
Bmariez,
See Acts 22.16, Hebrews 6.2, 9.10, cf. Psalm 51.2. John’s ministry of baptism was to prepare Israel to be clean people to assume their role as a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19.4-6).
Don,
Thank you, wow! It just hit me. i had missed Acts 22:16 in my search. It shows me that baptism has the power to wash away sin. Did you know that?
Bmariez,
Water baptism was required for salvation under the gospel of the kingdom (Mark 1.4, 16.16; John 3.5; Acts 22.16. Today, there is no water baptism, only the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12.13; Ephesians 4.5). Today, the manward part of salvation is to believe Paul’s gospel. The godward part is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Don,
I have a reasonable doubt that water baptism is no longer valid. But for the sake of understanding, why was water baptism required for salvation? Do you believe there was power to wash away sins in the name of Jesus through water baptism? I did notice that you repeatedly say it was “required.” thanks again
Becky,
The Scripture states there is one baptism, not two. Either water baptism is the only valid baptism or the baptism of the Holy Spirit is the only valid baptism. Simple math: 1=1. Water baptism was required for salvation because God said it was. See also Acts 2.38. Faith believes what God says.
Don,
Jesus said I and my Father are one. The same word “one” is used in Eph 4:5. So that is why i have reasonable doubt. So when you share the gospel with people, do you tell them they have to be baptized by the Holy Spirit to be saved? I was trying to find Scripture today on how to “implement” (for lack of a better word) baptism of the Holy Spirit. Does it just happen when one believes in Jesus Christ, or must they also have knowledge and believe that there is a Holy Spirit? Or does it require laying on of hands? thanks again
Bmariez,
Jesus meant that He and the Father were one in nature, not in person. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is God’s action. We have no part in it. The moment a person believes the gospel, God baptizes him. Paul wrote, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.” The KJV is a poor translation for the verbs “baptized” and “made to drink” are aorist passive indicative, i.e., God performed the action in the past. This is the Godward side of salvation. The manward side is faith—believing the gospel.
Are you familiar with the Church of Christ and their teaching on baptismal regeneration ?
Jarame,
Yes.
Dear Don,
Holy Spirit baptism is different from the work of the Holy Spirit unto regeneration of the human spirit (born-again). I don’t know if you teach this, but I didn’t get a clear idea in this article. It is so important to make this distinction and for believers to understand that they can receive this precious gift which, in the New Testament, is always an objective, externally verified experience. You provided a very good explanation of why water baptism is no longer valid for salvation. God bless you. – Sister Pam
Pam,
The baptism of the Holy Spirit of which Paul wrote brings a believer into the Church, the body of Christ, (1 Corinthians 12.13) and identifies the believer in Christ’s death and resurrection (Romans 6).
Bro. Don, in 1 Corr.1:16 Paul states Stephans was the last one he knew of he baptized, could Stephanas have been the sailor in Acts 16?
Danny,
To what sailor do you refer?
I,m sorry this spell corrector drives me crazy! I meant the jailor.
Danny,
No, these were Corinthians and the jailor was in Philippi.
As we see from the hundreds of comments, readers are still struggling with what was meant for the Jews vs what was meant for the church. I feel such empathy with those struggling with this issue that divides. It is my prayer for everyone to find the wisdom. Here is the passage that opened my eyes that water baptism is not for the body of Christ. Mathew 3:11 ‘I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.’
Mary,
The Matthew 3.11 passage still refers to the Jewish program. The baptism of the Holy Spirit was a Jewish promise (Ezekiel 11, 36; Jeremiah 31) and John knew about it. It occurred at Pentecost. The baptism of the Holy Spirit which Paul taught was the Spirit baptism that occurs when one believes Paul’s gospel. When one believes the Holy Spirit baptizes the believe to become a member of the Church, the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12.13). That did not occur at Pentecost. The Church was a secret.
Don,
I have questions. Throughout the book of Acts, Paul baptized converts and their households. These occurrences of water baptism, such as with the Phillipain jailer were well into Paul’s ministry. What is the timeline where Paul quit performing or teaching water baptism? Was it after Acts 28? Was it after he officially turned to the gentiles in Acts 28? I know he baptized some in Corinth, but because Paul did so much baptizing during his ministry, when did it end, and why did he baptize during the book of Acts for 20 -30 years while he was primarily preaching to Gentiles? To me there is no clear announcement by Paul that water baptism was to be discontinued, and since he performed baptisms for so long it seems a bit confusing why the rite was discontinued without a clear announcement of it. I know Paul says there is one baptism and he wasn’t sent to baptize, but the fact remains, he did baptize, and he did it a lot. Why did he do it for so long, when did he quit, and why did he quit. I look forward to your explanation.
Joe,
The risen Lord revealed to Paul that his ministry, unlike John the Baptist and the Twelve, was not to baptize (1 Corinthians 1.17. Baptism seems to have gone away the same as the sign gifts and healing after Paul reached Rome. There, he wrote his prison epistles and received τὸ τέλειον, “the complete” (1 Corinthians 13.10), the full revelation. After this, he used the word ἐπίγνωσις, “full knowledge” with greater frequency (1 Corinthians 13.12). Thus, he wrote the Ephesians there was one baptism (Ephesians 4.5)– the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Don,
Thanks for your explaintion. I grew up in a Landmark/baptist bride church. Took a long time for the Lord to see me out of that way of thinking. I have really enjoyed your website, as it kind of put the finishing touches on what I needed to see. God bless you, and your work.
Don, what’s the best way to respond to someone who says that baptism is an outward expression of an inward change and therefore we get baptized?
Craig,
Ask him where this is taught in the Bible.
Why do Grace preachers use Mark 7 (wash) in reference to water baptism? I understand this to be about the tradition of the elders and not water baptism. Please could you or someone explain?
Anthony,
I don’t know what passage you mean. John’s baptism was a washing to prepare the people to serve as priests in the kingdom according to Exodus 19.6.
I read this earlier example in reference to sprinkle or dunked.
We know that those Old Testament sprinklings were baptisms, for baptismos is the word used to describe those “divers washings” (Heb. 9:10). Even the priests were washed (Ex. 29:4) with water from the laver (Ex. 40:11,12) that was not used for immersion (Ex. 30:18-21). We know John the Baptist washed people in the same way, for the Jews didn’t ask “what” he was doing, as they would if he were doing something new, they asked “why” he was doing it (John 1:25). He stood in the Jordan so he could easily dip the hyssop and sprinkle people. Baptismos is also translated “washing” in Mark 7:4, and few (if any) households in Israel had a receptacle large enough to immerse “tables.”
Don,
What purpose was served when John baptized Jesus?
Surely Jesus wasn’t identifying “with himself”.
Thanks,
John D.
John,
Jesus was identifying Himself with a national, repentant Israel. He was portraying the nation which needed the baptism of repentance to have the King and kingdom.
Thank you. That makes sense.
P.S. I just ordered both of your books and am so glad to see that you put your research and understanding in book format. Would love to see your next book address the book of Revelation.
John,
Thank you. Hope the books will be a blessing.
Don,
My wife and I recently had a conversation about baptism and although she knows that water baptism is not part of salvation for us today, she still thinks if someone who’s a believer wants to be water baptized because it’s a beautiful symbol of being washed clean and forgiven that that is alright to do. I’m curious to get your thoughts about this.
Burl,
All I can say is what Paul said: There is one baptism, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism in the Church has ended. The issue is one of faith/obedience. The Holy Spirit never leads one contrary to the Scriptures. One is at peace when one obeys God.
Don – we are reading the long list of comments at the end of many of your articles and I can’t help but really appreciate your many years of faithful study and dedication to communicating what you do and replying to people to help them understand. Thank you. I believe you must be making a big difference. Remember that little story about the thousands of star fish washed up on the beach and a man picking a single starfish up and tossing them back into the waters where they can live. A couple walking toward the man tells him it is foolish to think he could make any difference with there being thousands of starfish going to die. As he picks up just one more and tosses it to the water says, “Well if made a difference for this one”. You’re making that difference for me.
John and Linda,
Thank you for your kind words. God bless you and may you continue to grow in knowledge and grace.
Don can you briefly explain 2 things.
1. Nicodemus. How does Jesus words to him in John 3 indicate water baptism as opposed to physical birth by water.
2. Same case. How could he be born again by the Spirit if the Spirit hadn’t come yet. (Jesus indicated unless He left, the Spirit wouldn’t come. How or what was the Spirits role in Salvation before Pentecost
John,
1. We have several statements that water baptism was required for salvation under the gospel of the kingdom. In light of the message of the gospel of the kingdom, the most straightforward explanation of being born by water is baptism.
2. Salvation in every age comes through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This is different from the indwelling presence of the Spirit.
Thanks again good theologian Don. Sometimes we just need someone to point out the obvious (just like what I pointed out to you – lol) – of course, any salvation is always the work of the Holy Spirit.
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Can you explain which baptism Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19? If it is water baptism, then it seems to me that it was intended for all nations including gentiles (Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…). Secondly, which baptism Peter talks about in 1 Peter 3:21? Thank you
Lenin,
Water baptism was required for salvation under the gospel of the kingdom. So Matthew 28 is water baptism and yes, it included Gentiles. Peter declared the gospel of the kingdom ended in Acts 15.11. 1 Peter 3.21 was written after this and the baptism Peter meant is the baptism associated with Paul’s gospel, the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12.13; Ephesians 4.5).
People in my small group are asking me why we shouldn’t get baptized in the Body of Christ and re adamant that we should, ‘out of obedience to Christ’ BECAUSE Jesus was baptized. 1. Why was Jesus baptized. 2. Where in the Old testament was Baptism required or was it just after John the Baptist and if after John, where does the idea and significance of baptism originate and its meaning? Thank you
John,
Jesus was baptized to identify Himself with His people. Israel was being prepared to be a nation of priests (Exodus 19.4-6). The first thing priests did before they began their service in the Tabernacle or Temple was wash: thus baptism (see Hebrews 9.10). We are baptized by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. Unlike John the Baptist, Christ did not send Paul to baptize but to proclaim the gospel (1 Corinthians 1.17). Paul stated there is only one baptism, the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4.5) for us and that we are cleansed by the Word (Ephesians 5.26). For members of the Church, the body of Christ, we obey Christ by following what the Lord revealed to Paul, not what He said in His earthly ministry to Israel.
Don, what is baptism by fire?
Craig,
The reference, Matthew 3.11, fits Acts 2. The Jews were baptized with the Holy Spirit and Peter anticipated God’s judgment to occur shortly afterwards in his quotation of Joel 2. So the baptism by fire is God’s judgment, the Tribulation, the Day of the Lord.
Don, I am conversing with a Mormon who used to be Baptist. He of course uses Mark 16:16 to try and prove that baptism is necessary for salvation. He also says he has met way too many Evangelicals who say they are “saved” but are living just like non-believers or worse and that what I believe (faith alone) allows for this. He claims a person must accept Jesus Christ as Savior, repent of their sins through his atonement and agree to follow him to be a Christian. That the “we are not saved by anything we do” is false doctrine
How do I respond?
Craig,
Water baptism was required under the gospel of the kingdom. But one is saved today by believing the gospel the risen Christ gave Paul (Galatians 1.11-12). Paul wrote one is saved by faith alone (Romans 1.16-17, 3.22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 4.5; Ephesians 2.8-9). What does “accept Jesus as Savior” mean? Where does Paul say “repent?” Paul says, “believe.” Paul answered the objection that faith alone leads to license. The problem with this fellow is that he seems completely ignorant of Paul.
Don, what does it mean when someone says they’re a spirit filled Christian? I have a feeling they are talking about more than being water baptized?
Craig,
It means they are under the control of the Holy Spirit, they are obedient to God.
doctrine.org ,
I follow to an extent what you infer from the Bible. My questions are…
1. How do I know what sect I identify with seeing the Jews and Gentiles were mixed multitude.
2. I follow that Gentiles are not required to be baptized but are Jews required to be baptized? If yes , how do I know if I’m Jew or Gentile and if I should or shouldn’t be baptized.
Righteous,
God’s plan in operation today is the Church, the body of Christ, in which anyone who believes Paul’s gospel (1 Corinthians 15.1-4), whether Jew or Gentile, are equal in Christ, indweldt with the Holy Spirit, baptized by the Holy Spirit. That is the only valid baptism (Ephesians 4.5).
Ok.
Is it that Paul’s teaching overrides the teachings of Jesus and His disciples?
If Revelation was written to the Jews after Paul started his ministry then isn’t there still a message to the Jews and Gentiles separately? Jude was also written to Jews as well ?
Can you identify my disconnect ?
Righteous,
Everything Paul wrote, he received by direct revelation from the Lord. The difference is that Paul received his teaching from the risen Lord rather than the Lord in His earthly ministry. Jesus’ teaching in His earthly ministry was to Israel (cf. Romans 15.8) while His teaching from heaven, given to Paul, was to the Church, the body of Christ. Revelation was written to Jews who had believed the gospel of the kingdom. All the apostles thought Jesus would return in their lifetime. Jesus told these Jews they had to endure to the end (remain faithful to Him in the Tribulation and not take the mark of the Beast) to be saved (Matthew 24.13). Also read Matthew 10. This is all Tribulation ground.
I am an interested soul challenged by the theology that you presented. My question is, what did John wanted to conveyed when he wrote, quoting Jesus, “except a MAN be born of water…” (John 3:5) and comparing to what Paul wrote, “he saved us by ‘WASHING’ of regeneration…” please enlightened me. Granting that the Jesus being a “minister of the circumcision” meant water baptism, does the word “man” Jesus mentioned is pertaining to ALL human being? And what Paul meant when he used the word “washing”, because most commentary I checked said that it is a ‘figure’ of water baptism. Thanks!
Juancho,
Water baptism was required for salvation under the gospel of the kingdom (Mark 1.4, 16.16; Acts 2.36-38). John 3.5 echoed this. As for Titus 3.5, “through washing of regeneration,” διὰ λουτροῦ παλιγγενεσίας, this is a genitive of apposition which means, “through washing, namely, regeneration.” In other words, Paul meant that regeneration, new life in Christ, was cleansing, washing. Water baptism had completely ceased by the time of Paul’s Roman imprisonment (Ephesians 4.5).
Wow what a fantastic articulate article on Baptism! Thank you very much!
Another fantastic article thank you Don. It puts to rest the burdensome Pentecostal teaching that one requires two baptisms – the water baptism at conversion and a subsequent baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I know many Christians who have spent years in a frustrating search for the 2nd baptism – believing they were in lack. But you have shown very clearly that if we believe the Gospel of Christ crucified and raised, we lack nothing. Amazing. May God our heavenly Father help us all to believe it more and more.
Annette,
Our baptism is the baptism of the Holy Spirit who unites us in Christ’s death and resurrection and makes us Church, members of Christ, the body of Christ. It is the only baptism. In the Church, there is no water baptism or subsequent baptism.
I do understand that after the Jerusalem Council meeting there was only one valid gospel, the gospel of the grace of God. Why then did Peter in his first epistle many years later insist that water baptism saves us?
Neville,
Look again at 1 Peter 3.21. Peter was not speaking of water baptism–not removal of filth from flesh–but as a picture of faith.
Greetings Don; I’m ‘replying’ here because I have made several specific inquiries from your ‘contact’ on the website – without getting a reply. Could you please check for my last request sent in the last few days? (July 29-31?)
Dick Leppky, BC; Canada
Dick,
Haven’t seen anything. I tested the contact form and it seems to be working. Please try again.
I have been reading C.R. Stam’s book, “Baptism and the Bible” because this is the main topic in an Eternal Security group that I participate in, which about 1/2 the people are Anti- OSAS or “Church of Christ” or Preterists which all believe that Water Baptism still saves today.
Stam pointed out that 3,000 souls were baptized by the end of the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem and questioned a lack of water for full immersion.
I didn’t agree with his conclusion that this Jewish day lasted for 12 hours because Peter started his speech about 9am and their day ends at sunset, so if you knock off 1 hour for his speech I calculate that leaves 8 hours to baptize 3,000 souls.
If you divide that by 12 apostles doing the baptizing that means they each had to baptize 250 souls in 8 hours or 31 people per hour or about 1 person every 2 minutes (with no breaks after bending over and baptizing 250 people all day).
Jerusalem is in an arid dry area with no large water source nearby that means they had to haul enough water to baptize 3,000 from somewhere. And where did they get the 12 containers big enough to baptize someone, other than the Mikveh’s around the temple area?
By the end of the day, unless they changed the water often, it would have been very dirty after 250 people got baptized in the same water.
And what about women getting baptized in the thin clothing they were wearing that time of year. Was that morally acceptable for these apostles to be helping women in and out of a baptismal container in that condition?
So water baptism by full immersion seems impossible at Pentecost.
I didn’t get any comments to this post in the Eternal Security group, because full immersion is indefensible. Were they sprinkled instead or ??
I would appreciate your thoughts on this event.
Lori,
The Bible does not indicate how they were baptized, only that they were. A much more important question is why is water baptism still being practiced, when paul wrote that there is one baptism in the Church, the body of Christ (Ephesians 4.5). That baptism is the baptism of the Holy Spirit who identifies us in Christ. One equals one. No believer should be practicing water baptism.
Good article. On my way to work this morning I noticed a new billboard that’s been put up just this week. The billboard shows some one being baptised on one side and on the other is the ark. It reads Saved by water! 1 Peter 3:21. Church of Christ Very concerning!
Bren,
Well, Noah’s family was saved by the ark but they did not get wet. Confusion!
Have had several conversations with an elder in my church on dispensational truths. He is the only one willing to listen. He questions baptism as being part of salvation for the Jew. He says repent and be baptized for the remission of sin means that baptism is a result of one believing by faith that Christ was the messiah. He also states that since it is clear that the law was never given to make one righteous how can I say that it was part of their salvation. Isn’t that tied into the sacrifices required for their failures in meeting the requirements of the law? Thank you
Mike,
I can only state what the Scriptures state, cf. Mark 1.4, 16.16; Acts 2.38, 16. In OT theology, works and faith were enmeshed. Animal sacrifices were works, but works of faith. So water baptism. Not until Paul do we have the doctrine of salvation by faith alone. Paul received his gospel directly from the Lord, not men (Galatians 1.11-17). Why? It was new. The 12 knew nothing of it which is evident from Acts 10-11, 15. One can either believe the Scriptures or believe what a denomination or church says.
Thanks. Also attempting to follow the 600+ items in the mosaic law was also works, correct? The sacrifices atoned for their short comings. Baptism is a work. He quotes several verses in Acts 2 and says our gospel is found in those passages. I have Stams books on Acts and your writings and have quoted both of you to him but he always says the gospel is implied and people knew that a permenant sacrifice was coming and so even though they didn’t have full revelation they knew enough to be justified by the coming work of a savior.
Mike,
Messianic passages such as Isaiah 53 were not understood. This is clear from Phillip’s encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. The Jews did not understand animal sacrifices were only shadows or types. To them they were the reality. Peter, on the day of Pentecost, did not tell the Jews Christ had been sacrificed for their sins and to believe in Him on this basis for salvation. He told them His crucifixion was a crime which required repentance. Not until the Lord saved Paul do we get an explanation of the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection in terms of salvation and that He fulfilled the prophetic types.
Mike,
We’re talking Church of Christ denomination, right? Their hardcore stance is on Acts 2:38. It’s a deeply held tenant/doctrine they have of being ‘saved by faith in water baptism and repentance’. This practice promoted by TCofC was for Jews because it was before Paul’s gospel of faith alone in the resurrection…the purpose of which was unknown at the time of Acts 2:38 (see doxology of Romans 16 & 1 Tim:1:9) otherwise the value/purpose of the Lord’s work would have been appreciated rather than the exercises of their own effort(s). —-
In a later statement/question of yours you say something about an elder saying we should read into Acts 2:38 the concept of sola fide. Again, Paul says it was unknown at that time of Acts 2:38, so obviously Peter, a believer in the gospel of the Kingdom, didn’t know at that time of Christ’s later revelation to Paul of the gospel of Grace. In my opinion faith alone for our salvation today was unknown before Paul and that includes Acts 2:38. All the bible is for us but only Paul’s letters are to us. (“us” = The Body of Christ). . That’s the way I see it.
Don,
I’m trying to understand the role of the Holy Spirit and His significance.
1. I understand Jesus did not quote all of Isiah in Luke because He knew the Tribulation would be pushed out 2000 years.
2. John the Baptist introduces the Gospel of the Kingdom with the Baptism of repentance. First repent then baptize and only then receive the Holy Spirit.
3. Jesus does not give a time to the disciples in Acts 1:8 when He will usher in the kingdom because of His foreknowledge of the final rejection of the Holy Spirit. However, He does tell them they will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes.
4. Stephen is killed full of the Holy Spirit and all three persons of the Godhead are present. This had to be a major event with all three persons of the Godhead present.
5. Paul then ushers in the Gospel. of Grace and the role of the Holy Spirit changes also we are no longer baptized with water.
6. Three major changes took place in a short time. From Abraham to John the Baptist, baptism was only alluded to and the Holy Spirit wasn’t mentioned very much. Then with John, baptism is required. Immediate post cross we are still dealing with the Kingdom Gospel and the Holy Spirit enters the believing disciples giving them certain authorities. The rejection of the Father was through the killing of the prophets, the rejection of the Son with the crucifixion of Christ. Then the rejection of the Holy Spirit with the killing of Stephen and all three persons of the Godhead are present and the plan of salvation switches to Paul. Jesus had a parable about this with the Herdsman except He ended the parable after the rejection of the Son. Now the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the Body of Christ.
Finally the question. What is the difference of the Holy Spirit today verse the Kingdom Gospel? Then what is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and baptism? Do you think with the rejection of the third person of the Godhead that was the turning point for God to go to the Gentiles through Paul? The Jews were no longer to be the light to the Gentiles? Thank you for any insight.
Bill
Bill,
Baptism for the Church is the Holy Spirit’s identifying believers into Christ’s death and resurrection, placing us into the body of Christ, indwelling us. God’s prophetic program did not have this. Due to Jewish unbelief, Paul became proxy Israel—light, priest, and minister of the New Covenant. After the Lord returns, Jews will fulfill these roles in the kingdom. While some see Stephen’s stoning as rejection of the Spirit (some even blasphemy of the Spirit) I do not. The apostles still thought the nation could repent and continued their ministry. Not until the Jerusalem Council in 51 A.D. did anything significant change—one gospel, not two.
Romans 4:4-5 King James Version (KJV)
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Water baptism simply is a work. There is no power in works but a curse. If you think you can do anything to earn your salvation then you are under a curse and you are not a child of Abraham but of the bond woman.
God simply wants us to believe in his way of salvation. Faith only. You only receive the spirit by believing in Pauls gospel. The gospel of grace, the gospel that he preached to the gentiles. Its a gift you receive it with joy in your heart.
Like Paul said. It is spirit baptism. If you believe that water baptism saves, then you will not receive the spirit, because it is not of faith. Therefore no spirit = no power = dead works. You are working in your own strength and therefore it is impossible to please God and impossible to be conformed in the image of his son. Like Paul said, you are identified into his death by spiritual baptism and placed into the body of Christ. The moment you believe in Pauls gospel, you are sealed with that holy spirit of promise. Nothing to add here. Start trusting in the mercy and promises of our heavenly father and walk by faith and not by sight.
Great article, keep up the truth brother and stand firm in the truth.
Andre,
Yes, water baptism is a work. Most churches do not baptize thinking they are doing something to earn salvation. They have other explanations for its practice. None of these churches agree about baptism which should indicate something is terribly wrong. Paul wrote there is one baptism for the Church, the baptism of the Spirit, in which He identifies us in Christ’s death and resurrection and makes us members of His body. If churches could see this and obey what Paul wrote, it would end disagreement and confusion about baptism.
Don
You have stated that Paul was saved under the gospel of the kingdom and also, he was the first member of the Church the body of Christ. How could Paul do and be both? Could you please explain?
Terry,
How else could the Church have begun? He could not be saved by the gospel of grace for it did not exist. We know he began the Church because that is what he wrote in 1 Corinthians 3 and 1 Timothy 1.
Is the lame beggar of Acts 3 also a picture of the nation of Israel outside of God’s will for them? While studying this miracle it seems to picture them so close to entering the gate and then it reveals that one day they will and with lots of rejoicing and praising God. Just a thought. Bren
Bren,
Physical illness is a result of the fall and portrays our problem: sin. Yes, it is a picture Israel’s need, and in a larger context, humanity’s need. In Him was life, and the life was the light of mankind (John 1.3). Jesus performed thousands of healings, portraying He can heal physically and spiritually. My favorite example is Jesus’ healing the paralytic (Mark 2.1-12) and forgiving sin.
When I read Matthew 10:5,6 and Matthew 15:24-26 and Acts 9 and looked up the definition of ‘gentile’ I began to understand the scriptures. And, after I found your articles I have even more understanding and blessings that I never experienced before.
I pray more people can walk away from tradition and see the truth in Paul’s ministry.
Thank you for sharing our present dispensation.
Linda,
Thank you. May God continue to bless and guide your understanding.
Linda,
As you probably know, the 12 tribes were divided into the 10 tribes in the north (referred to as Israel) and the 2 tribes of the south (referred to as Judah). Recently, I pointed these same verses out to someone and was told these verses only applied to the 10 northern tribes, Israel, because the verses actually use that word– Israel. I pointed out that Paul himself referred to himself as an Israelite though he was from one of the southern tribes. “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing”
Linda, don’t think for a moment that you weren’t led to this site. “Search and ye shall find”. Don is doing a wonderful work.