Re: Baptism into the body is not with water!
Re: Baptism into the body is not with water!
Originally posted by HopeofGlory
JustAChristian
No where is it found in scripture that Jesus commanded "water" baptism and He most assuredly did not command a "new" water baptism. Baptism in "water" is found many times in scripture but when water is not contextual then baptism may have other implications. You must not say thus saith the Lord when the Lord has not said!
My point is this, you have to see all that the "LORD" said about a subject before you say thus saith the Lord.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15 (KJV)
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16 (KJV)
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt. 28:20 (KJV)
If we back up and see what the Lord actually "commanded" we will see He never commanded "water" baptism!!! He spoke of Spirit baptism.
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Matt. 26:28 (KJV)
A "new" testament for remission that superceded the old!
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. John 6:53 (KJV)
Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:54 (KJV)
It is the spirit that quickeneth; """the flesh profiteth nothing""": the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. John 6:63 (KJV)
But """"there are some of you that believe not""". For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. John 6:64 (KJV)
For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. Acts 1:5 (KJV)
The context in which the Lord is speaking is....
1- A new testament of remission by blood, an offering of eternal life.
2- The words He spoke of it are spirit and life eternal.
3-The words would quicken us and the flesh (man) profiteth nothing.
4-Ye shall be baptized with the Spirit in contrast to water.
Now I ask you, Where did the apostles at Pentecost teach these things that the Lord commanded them????
Also consider this verse....
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. 1 Cor. 12:13 (KJV)
In Christ
Craig
Craig,
Symbolism needs to be understood in order to give proper biblical interpretation. Water is symbolized as a grave in Romans 6:3-5. We are buried in the grave of water. A grave consist of a hole, dirt and covering up. When we understand this we can understand the implications of the burial. Not only did Paul say that we are baptized into Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:3), but he goes on to say that we are "baptized into his death." It was in Christ's death that he shed his blood, and his blood is that which remits sin. However, we must come into contact with his blood before our sins can be remitted. Where do we contact the blood of Christ? Paul tells us that it is in baptism. If he shed his blood in his death (and he did), and we are baptized into his death (and we are), then it is in baptism that we come into contact with the blood of Christ, which is able to cleanse away sin (Acts 22:16). If not, why not?
In the latter part of Gal. 3:27, Paul states that in baptism we "put on Christ." Again we come to symbolism. Let me use a very simple illustration which all should be able to understand. Until a person puts on his coat, he is out of the coat. Once he has put the coat on, he is in the coat. Just so it is in our relation to Christ. We are out of Christ until we put Christ on, and Paul plainly states that we put Christ on in baptism. Therefore, until one is baptized "into Christ" he is out of Christ, because he has not put Christ on! I can hardly see how anyone can possibly misunderstand such plain, simple language, and yet there are thousands who seemingly cannot understand this, because they shout long and loud that baptism is not essential to salvation.
The apostles were baptized with the Holy Spirit and those who believed Peter's preaching were baptized in water in the name of Christ on the same day. Cornelius was overwhelmed with the Holy Spirit and the same day, likely within the same hour, was baptized in water in the name of Christ. Jesus told Nicodemus that without being "born of water and of the Spirit" one can not enter this spiritual family, the church (John 3:1-8). "Born of water and of the Spirit" refers to the one new birth, accomplished when one is baptized in water according to (or, as directed by) the Holy Spirit (John 3:3-5).
Holy Spirit baptism was never given as a command. How could it be? It was administered by deity, not men. And it was administered at a time and under circumstances chosen by deity, not by men. Water baptism, on the other hand, was given by command (Acts 2:38; Acts 10:47,48; Acts 22:16). This is a baptism administered by men, and when performed scripturally is approved of God. And it is a baptism men submit to of their own free will. At a time of their choosing, in obedience to the Lord's command.
The one baptism of Eph. 4 is Christian era baptism. It is the baptism that is commanded. And it was designed to remain in effect until the end of the earth (Matthew 28:18-20). It is not the baptism of John. It is not the baptism of fire. And it is not the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Christian era baptism consists of immersion in water (Acts 8:38). Its prerequisites are faith, repentance, and confession (Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:38; Acts 8:37). It, therefore, is not for infants. It is administered in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19,20). And, it is for the remission of sins and for union with Christ (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; Galatians 3 :26-27; Romans 6:3-5).
Summarizing, let me say that baptism produces forgiveness of sins. Why?, because it is at this point of obedience that one comes in contact with the death of Christ. It is only in the death of Christ that we may find salvation. And it is only in baptism that we may contact the death of Christ (Rom. 6:1-6). Paul affirms that we are baptized into his death, that is the death of Christ, and that is very important. Some contend that baptism only symbolizes a dying to sin on our part, in turning from our sins; that the only death connected with baptism is the spiritual dying to sin that occurs within us. But this simply is not true. It is true that a dying to sin occurs within us in conversion. But it is not true that this dying to sin is all that baptism represents. Paul's teaching is that we are baptized into the death of Jesus. So remember, now, we are baptized into the one body (1 Cor. 12:13); Christ is the savior of the body (Eph. 5:23); we are baptized into Christ (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27); into his death (Rom. 6:3) where his blood was shed; and in baptism we put on Christ (Gal. 3:27). In view of such plain passages, how can anyone honestly feel that water baptism is unimportant and has no validity? How can they say that we can be cleansed and saved any other way?
If Holy Spirit baptism was intended for the cleansing of sins, it would have be so depicted in the scriptures that it would have been impossible to misunderstand. Many of the leading church leaders of the Reformation era understand that water baptism for the remission of sins is commanded, but have chosen to ignore it in favor of position and favor with man.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit:
Is called the Comforter KJV
Is called the Counselor NIV--John 14:16,26
Will be with us forever--John 14:16
Is the Spirit of Truth
Lives in us--John 14:17
Teaches us all things
Reminds us of Christ’s teachings--John 14:26
Will testify about Jesus--John 15:26
Convicts the world of guilt--John 16:8
Guides us into all truth--John 16:13
Takes from what is Christ’s and makes known to us-- John 16:14-15
Intercedes for us
Helps us in our weakness—Romans 8:26-27
Searches all things
Reveals truth –1Corinthians 2:10
How and when do we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? At baptism when our sins are forgiven and washed away:
Acts 2:38
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians3:26-27,4:6
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ…Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries out, “Abba”, Father.”
As a result of baptism into Christ we become sons. If we are sons, must not we be born? How are we born then? How can we be born when we are old? Nicodemus asked that same question--
John 3: 3-5
Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
And if we are born, we are sons. And when were are born in this manner (through baptism), we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
JustAChristian