Baptismal Regeneration?

Baptismal Regeneration?

Author: Dave Hunt | Publication Date: 3/1/1995

Christ commanded His original disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel (Mk 16:15). Those of every nation who believed in Christ as their Savior were to be baptized “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Mt 28:19). These new disciples were to preach the gospel everywhere and to baptize those who believed (v 20) through their testimony as Christianity spread worldwide. Baptism in the early church was by immersion: “they went down both into the water…When they were come up out of the water” (Acts 8:38-39),…etc. Why? Because baptism symbolizes the believer’s identification with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection: “we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead…we also should walk in newness of life” (Rom 6:4).

Unfortunately, various innovations and heresies were gradually introduced regarding baptism: that one must be baptized to be saved; indeed, that baptism itself saves the soul even when administered to infants. These heresies became known as the doctrine of baptismal regeneration. Most Protestants holding these beliefs today are not aware that they originated with the Roman Catholic Church in the Middle Ages.

The Council of Trent (1545-63) stated that while Christ “merited for us justification by His most holy passion…the instrumental cause [of justification/regeneration] is the sacrament of baptism….If anyone says that baptism is…not necessary for salvation, let him be anathema.“¹ Vatican II (1962-65) reconfirms all of Trent² and reiterates the necessity of baptism for salvation,³ as does the universal Catechism of the Catholic Church released by the Vatican in 1993: “Baptism is necessary for salvation…the Church does not know of any [other] means…that assures entry into eternal beatitude….” ⁴

Trent anathematizes all who deny that “the merit of Jesus Christ is applied…to infants by the sacrament of baptism” or who deny that by baptism “the guilt of original sin is remitted….“ ⁵ Today’s Code of Canon Law (Canon 849) declares that those baptized are thereby “freed from their sins, are reborn as children of God and… incorporated in the Church.” Canon 204 states, “The Christian faithful are those who…have been incorporated in Christ through baptism” and are thereby members of the one, true Catholic Church.⁶

For centuries before the Reformation, baptismal regeneration was rejected by Bible-believing Christians, whom the Roman Catholic Church therefore persecuted, tortured and slaughtered by the millions. Non-Catholics taught from Scripture that baptism was only for those who had believed the gospel: “teach all nations…baptizing them [who have believed]” (Mt 28:19); “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized” (Acts 2:41); “[W]hat doth hinder me to be baptized?…If thou believest [in Christ] with all thine heart, thou mayest” (Acts 8:35-37). Infants can’t believe in Christ.

Consider Cornelius’s household: they heard the gospel, believed it and were baptized. That there were no infants baptized is also clear, for they had all gathered “to hear all things that are commanded thee of God” (Acts 10:33). “[T]he Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard [and, obviously, understood and believed] the word” (v 44); and they spoke with tongues (v 46). That they had “received the Holy Ghost” (v 47) convinced Peter that they were saved. Therefore, he baptized them (v 48).

Nor can infant baptism be supported from the case of the Philippian jailor who “was baptized, he and all his” (Acts 16:33). Again there were no infants present because Paul and Silas preached the gospel “to all that were in his house” (v 32), and “all his house” believed (v 34) and were then baptized.

The early Reformers such as Martin Luther were Catholics who, unfortunately, retained some Catholic dogmas, among them baptismal regeneration and infant baptism. These heresies are still held by some Protestant denominations today. The issue is a serious one. If baptism is essential for salvation, then to reject that gospel is to be damned. But if salvation is through faith in Christ alone, then to add baptism as a condition for salvation is to reject the true gospel and thus to be eternally lost. The Bible declares that it is wrong to teach salvation by faith in Christ plus anything else, such as keeping the Jewish law (Acts 15:24). Paul cursed (anathematized) those who taught this false gospel that damns the soul (Gal 1:8-9). A gospel of salvation through Christ plus baptism is equally false.

When Paul reminded the Corinthians of the essential ingredients of the gospel which he preached and by which they had been saved, he made no mention of baptism (1 Cor 15:1-4). In fact, he distinguished between the gospel and baptism: “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel…” (1 Cor 1:17). He hadn’t baptized most of the Corinthians, couldn’t remember whom he had baptized, and was thankful that it had been very few (1 Cor 1:14-16), a strange attitude if baptism is essential to salvation! Yet without baptizing them, Paul declared that he was their father in the faith: “in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” (1 Cor 4:15).

Then what about Mark 16:16: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved“? All who believe the gospel are saved, so of course all who believe and are baptized are saved; but that does not say that baptism saves or that it is essential for salvation. Scores of verses declare, with no mention of baptism, that salvation comes by believing the gospel: “[I]t pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Cor 1:21; see also Jn 3:16,18,36; 5:24; Acts 10:43; 13:38-39; 16:31; Rom 1:16; 3:28; 4:24; 5:1; 1 Cor 15:1-4; Eph 2:8, etc.). Not one verse, however, says that baptism saves.

Numerous verses declare that whosoever does not believe is lost, but not one verse declares that whosoever is not baptized is lost. Surely the Bible would make it clear that believing in Christ without being baptized cannot save if that were the case, yet it never says so! Instead, we have examples of those who believed and were saved without being baptized, such as the thief on the cross and the Old Testament saints (Enoch, Abraham, Joseph, Daniel,…etc), to whom Christian baptism was unknown.

It is essential to realize that some baptismal texts do not refer to Christian water baptism, but to one of the seven other baptisms in Scripture. There was the baptism of the Israelites “unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea” (1 Cor 10:2); the “baptism of John” (Mt 21:25; Mk 11:30; Acts 19:3, etc.), which was a baptism “of repentance” (Mk 1:4; Lk 3:3; Acts 19:4,…etc); the baptism attributed to Christ before the Cross “Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples” did the baptizing (Jn 4:1-2; 3:22); the baptism Christ had to endure of suffering and death ­”I have a baptism to be baptized with” (Lk 12:50; Mt 20:22; Mk 10:38, etc.); the baptism Christ now performs on His own “with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (Mt 3:11; Mk 1:8; Lk 3:16; Jn 1:33; Acts 1:5; 11:16); the baptism by the Holy Spirit “into Jesus Christ” (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27) and thereby “into his death” (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12); and the baptism by the Holy Spirit into the church, the one body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13).

Then why does the Bible say, “There is …one baptism” (Eph 4:4-5)? The explanation is simple but carries profound consequences: baptism of any kind occurs only once and is never repeated. In that sense, then, there is only one baptism. Whether one believes that baptism itself saves, or that it symbolizes salvation through identification with Christ in His death and resurrection, the fact that it cannot recur proves that one’s salvation can never be lost. For if one must get saved again as a result of losing one’s salvation, then baptism must be repeated each time but there is only one baptism.

This dogma of “falling away“, like baptismal regeneration, also comes from Roman Catholicism. No Catholic can be certain he is saved; for salvation, which is by works in Catholicism, could be forfeited at any time by failure to continue to perform the works prescribed. Trent declares, “If anyone says that in order to obtain the remission of sins it is necessary… to believe with certainty…that his sins are forgiven him, let him be anathema….If anyone says that he will for certain…have that great gift of perseverance [in the faith] even to the end…let him be anathema.“⁷ While re-baptism is not practiced in Catholicism, the sacraments of penance and the Mass are said to restore saving grace and are thus repeated endlessly.

Yes, but Romans 6:4 states, “[W]e are buried with [Christ] by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead…even so we also should walk in newness of life.” That Paul is not speaking of water baptism, however, but of the spiritual reality it symbolizes, is clear, for he says that through baptism “our old man [sinful nature] is crucified with him [Christ], that the body of sin might be destroyed.” As a consequence, he urges believers to “reckon” themselves “to be dead indeed unto sin….[L]et not sin therefore reign in your mortal body” (vv 6-13).

Paul uses similar language concerning himself when he says, “I am crucified with Christ” (Gal 2:20). He is obviously speaking of that same spiritual “baptism” by which we have been placed in Christ and have thus passed with Him through death into resurrection life. If we were literally dead to sin, then we wouldn’t need to “reckon” it true or live the new life by faith; we would automatically never sin again. That a Christian may sin shows that water baptism doesn’t effect a literal crucifixion with Christ. It portrays a spiritual baptism into Christ which the believer must live by faith.

In that context, then, we can understand Peter’s declaration, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Pt 3:21). He is no more saying that the physical act of baptism literally saves us than Paul is saying that it literally makes us dead to sin. The few difficult, isolated verses such as these cannot contradict the overwhelming number of other scriptures which are crystal clear. Water baptism, says Peter, is a “figure” or symbolization of a spiritual baptism into Christ effected by the Holy Spirit and which is settled forever in heaven but which must be lived out by faith while we are here upon earth.

Significantly, though Paul baptized a few, Christ never baptized anyone (Jn 4:2), very odd if baptism saves. The Saviour of the world must have deliberately avoided baptizing to make it clear that baptism has no part in salvation. Yes, Christ said we must be “born [again] of water and of the Spirit” to be saved (Jn 3:5), but it is unwarranted to assume that “water” here means baptism. To do so would contradict the wealth of Scripture we have seen which proves salvation is not by baptism.

Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, a rabbi to whom “water” would not mean baptism (which was unknown in Jewish law) but the ceremonial cleansing of someone who had been defiled (Ex 30, 40; Lv 13, 15,…etc). And that is what Christ meant. His death would make it possible to “sanctify and cleanse [His church] with the washing of water by the word [of the gospel]” (Eph 5:25-27). Christ said, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken” (Jn 15:3). Like Christ, Paul put water and the Spirit together, referring to the “washing of regeneration” and linking it with the “renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Ti 3:5). We are born again by the Holy Spirit and by the Word or gospel of God, which is sometimes called “water” because of its cleansing power. As Peter said, we are “born again…by the word of God” (1 Pt 1:23).

It was obviously this figure of Old Testament ceremonial cleansing which Peter communicated to his Jewish audience in his Pentecost sermon: “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). It is clear from the many other scriptures we’ve given that Peter wasn’t saying that baptism saves, but that it offered a ceremonial cleansing uniquely applicable to his Jewish hearers. To be baptized was to be identified before the fanatical Jews of Jerusalem with this hated Jesus Christ as one’s personal Saviour. Baptism cost family and friends and endangered one’s life, as it still does in Israel and Muslim countries. Those who are afraid to take this public stand in such cultures are even today not considered to be true believers. Thus for a Jew to be publicly baptized at that time in that culture was, in a sense, to “wash away [his] sins” (Acts 22:16), as Ananias told Saul.

“[T]he gospel of Christ…is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth [it]” (Rom 1:16). That gospel, as Paul preached it, required faith in Christ’s blood poured out in death on the Cross for the sins of the world and said nothing about baptism. To preach baptismal regeneration is to preach a false gospel that cannot save, which is why Paul cursed those who did so. The difference between faith in Christ alone and faith in Christ plus baptism has eternal consequences. Let us stand firmly for, and faithfully preach, the true gospel that saves. TBC

Endnotes

1 H.J. Schroeder, trans., The Canons and Decrees of the Council of Trent (Tan Books, 1978), 33, 53.

2 Vatican Council II, The Conciliar and Post Conciliar Documents, ed. Austin Flannery, O.P., (Costello Publishing Company, 1988), rev. ed., 412.

3 Ibid, 365.

4 Catechism of the Catholic Church (The Wanderer Press, 1994), 224, 320.

5 Trent, 22, 23, 54.

6 Code of Canon Law (Paulist Press, 1985), 122, 614.

7 Trent, 44.

Baptism Does Not Saved – Does Not Help Save

Baptism Does Not Save – Does Not Help Save

Chapter 4 in the excellent book, Bible Baptism, by Dr. John R. Rice

A favorite device of the Devil is to have men look to their works for their salvation instead of looking to Christ. He leads some to trust in their morality, some to depend upon lodge membership, some to depend upon confessions to priests; some he leads to trust in baptism. That is a fatal mistake. The unanimous voice of all the Scriptures is that people are saved by simple faith in Christ, without any act of righteousness, and baptism is never mentioned as a part of the plan of salvation. Baptism is an act of righteousness, for Jesus said in Matthew 3:15, “Thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.” Titus 3:5 says that such acts of righteousness do not save us:

“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.”

Baptism is certainly a good work, but Ephesians 2:8,9 likewise says plainly that salvation is altogether a matter of God’s mercy and not of our works:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.”

Salvation is a gift of God which is not deserved, is not bought, and cannot be paid for. No church nor preacher nor the individual saved has any right to claim credit when a soul is saved.

In fact, we are told again and again in the Bible that the man who trusts in Christ has everlasting life immediately. John 3:36 says:

“He that believeth on the Son HATH everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

“Hath” means “has“, present tense, in modern English. Likewise, John 5:24 says:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, HATH everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation: but IS PASSED from death unto life.”

The same teaching is given in John 6:47:

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me HATH everlasting life.”

In the Bible, we find it clear that people believed first and then were baptized. According to these statements from God’s Word, they were already saved before they were baptized and any other man who trusts in Christ is saved that second, before he could possibly get to the baptismal waters. It does not take baptism to save one.

WHAT DOES “BAPTIZED FOR REMISSION OF SINS” MEAN?

In Acts 2:38, the term “for the remission of sins” is used as follows:

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Some people think that this passage contradicts the dozens of other plain statements in the Bible that a man is saved by faith and saved immediately when he believes. But when you use the word “for“ in this passage just as it is used so many times in every-day conversation, you will see what Peter said. A man is arrested for stealing; one is grateful for a favor; one is blamed for carelessness; one is commended for bravery. The word for here does not mean in order to or to secure remission of sins, and it is not rendered that way in any translation of the Bible we know of anywhere. The Greek word “eis“ here translated “for“ is sometimes translated in the Bible against, among, at, unto, upon,…etc. It might properly be translated here “baptized upon the remission of your sins” or “baptized referring to, or pointing toward the remission of your sins“, or “baptized in the remission of your sins.” When one repents, he receives the remission of his sins. Then the obedient heart, following Christ in baptism, is promised the gift of the Holy Ghost, an entirely separate mutter from salvation. What Peter said was that people ought to repent and then, after their sins are forgiven, they should be baptized as evidence of that. That is exactly what people ought to be baptized for, that is, to show the remission of their sins. That Scripture, then, does not mean that people ought to be baptized in order to be saved.

“HE THAT BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED”

In Mark 16:16, believing and baptized are used together:

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”

Christians are supposed to be baptized as soon as possible after they are saved. In Bible times they were usually baptized the same day, oftentimes the same hour of their conversion, even if it were midnight as in the case of the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:33. In fact, baptism is a public profession of faith. One can see baptism; one cannot see faith in the heart. It is natural to think of baptism following salvation, and Jesus said that those who believed and were baptized should be saved. He did not mean to contradict the rest of the Bible though, as you will see from the following words in the same verse, for He added: “But he that believeth not shall be damned.” That makes it clear that the matter which settles it is believing just the same as is taught in John 3:18:

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

The above verse, John 3:18, settles it that the man who believes in Christ is not condemned, whether or not he has been baptized. It also settles that the reason a man is condemned is “because he hath not believed.” Salvation is settled by belief in Christ, and only by that.

BELIEVING DOES NOT INCLUDE BAPTISM

There are so many Scriptures which plainly state again and again that the man who believes in Christ is saved, that those who teach baptism is essential to salvation cannot deny that. They try to get around these many Scriptures, however, by saying that faith includes baptism, that is, if one believes in Christ, he will be baptized, and that faith is not complete until one is baptized. However, in Mark 16:16 Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized,” showing that believing and being baptized are two different things. If believing includes baptism, then Jesus would not have added the word about baptism. If repenting includes baptism, Peter would not have said in Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized.” No, they are not the same and are nowhere spoken of as the same in the Bible, nor is it ever stated in the Bible that believing includes baptism, nor that if one trusts Christ, he will be baptized. “He that believeth on the Son bath everlasting life” before he is baptized. Baptism does not save.

“BORN OF WATER” DOES NOT MEAN BAPTISM

“Born of water and of the Spirit” in John 3:5 is often quoted as if it referred to baptism. It most certainly does NOT, however. That passage says nothing about baptism, and in the same conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus repeatedly told just what it took to get this new birth. Read verses 14 to 18 and you will see that it is simply believing in Christ. “Born of water and of the Spirit” in John 3:5, is the same as “the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost” in Titus 3:5. That verse plainly says that this is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us,” by this birth of water and the Spirit, or cleansing of regeneration and being made alive by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 5:26 tells us how Christ gave Himself for the church “that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” But this washing takes place inside. James 1:18 tells us that “of his own will begat he us with the word … ,” and I Peter 1:23 says that we are “born again … by the word of God.” These Scriptures seem to mean that when one is saved, he is inwardly washed, cleansed, led to repentance and faith, by the Word of God, and made alive, spiritually, by the Holy Spirit. That, I believe, is the plain meaning of John 3:5, “born of water and the Spirit.”

All of that happens on the inside of every sinner who is born of God. It is not on the outside, and is not baptism.

Notice the words again in John 3:5, “born of water and of the Spirit.” The second “of” is in italics, which shows that it was not in the original Greek. Jesus said one must be “born of water and the Spirit,” one birth. Jesus was only talking about one new birth, which happens on the inside. He did not say one needed to be born of the Spirit inside and of baptism outside, and did not mean so. John 3:5 does not refer to baptism.

“BAPTISM DOTH ALSO NOW SAVE US”

I Peter 3:21 is used as an argument that baptism saves people. Speaking of the ark “wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water,” that passage continues:

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

All difficulty about this passage disappears when you take the first plain statement in the verse that this is a “figure“. The ark was a figure and picture of salvation, and the ark was certainly a type of Christ. Baptism is a “like figure” and Roman 6:5 states that it is a “likeness” of the death, and a “likeness” of the resurrection of Christ. Peter then continues that baptism does not put away the filth of the flesh, and says that it is “the answer of a good conscience toward God.” Baptism, then, is only a picture, or figure, of salvation, and the man who is baptized should already have a “good conscience.” In Hebrews 9:14 we are told how the conscience is to be purged by the blood of Christ. Then, after that conscience is purged “from dead works to serve the living God” and one has a “good conscience“, he has a right to be baptized.

One who is baptized professes to have a good conscience toward God, with his sins forgiven. If that is not true, he has no right to be baptized and baptism is a lie and an empty pretense. Baptism is only for saved people, the answer of a conscience cleansed and forgiven.

“BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST”

Some people have been troubled by the phrase “baptized into Christ” in Galatians 3:27, which reads:

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

However, that is very clear if you read the verse before it and the rest of the context. Verse 26 says plainly, “For ye are all the children of God BY FAITH in Christ Jesus.” The whole book of Galatians is written to prove that people are saved not by works, but by faith.

“Baptized into Christ” should read “baptized unto Christ” and is often so translated. The same Greek word, eis, translated in our King James Version into in this particular verse, is translated in verses 23 and 24 of the same chapter, unto. It is translated unto in scores of cases, to in many others, and for in many cases.

Compare “baptized into Christ” in Galatians 3:27 and “baptized into Jesus Christ” in Romans 6:3 with a phrase just like them in I Corinthians 10:2 – “baptized unto Moses.” The word unto is a translation of the same Greek word “eis” as into in the other passages. If the covering of Israel in the cloud and Red Sea did not put Israel into Moses, then baptism does not, of course, put one into Christ. Rather baptism points “unto” Christ, of course.

What the Lord says here is that as many as have been baptized for Christ, or pointing toward Christ, or picturing Christ, have publicly claimed Him before the world as their Saviour. I Peter 3:21 plainly states that baptism is a figure or picture. Romans 6:5 says twice that baptism is a “likeness” of the death and resurrection of Christ and also pictures the new life which the Christians plan to live. Colossians 2:12 tells us the same thing. A person then should be baptized unto Christ, that is, for Christ and to picture the change of heart which he already has by faith in Christ. This Scripture simply bears out the many, many plain statements of the Scripture that one is saved by faith, and puts on in figure and likeness, before the world, what already God has put in the heart. God puts the light in us, we should let it shine. God works in us our salvation, and we are commanded to work it out (Phil. 2:12,13).

“ARISE AND BE BAPTIZED AND WASH AWAY THY SINS”

Our friends who claim that baptism saves, or that one cannot be saved without baptism, sometimes quote Acts 22:16 as evidence that baptism saves:

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

Compare this with the Lord’s account of what happened, as given in Acts 9:17. Ananias 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.”

Remember that baptism is a figure, or picture, according to I Peter 3:21 and Romans 6:5. When Paul quoted, “Wash away thy sins,” he certainly meant to use figurative language. Baptism is a figure as the Lord has told us. Compare this language with Matthew 26:26,28 where Jesus said, “This is my body” …and “This is my blood.” Jesus certainly meant, “This represents my body and my blood.” “Be baptized, and wash away thy sins” certainly means, be baptized to picture the washing away of your sins. That is what baptism always does picture. Paul did not mean in Acts 22:16 to teach a different plan of salvation from that one he gave the jailer in Acts 16:31, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Nor did he mean Acts 22:16 to contradict Acts 13:39 where he told the people at Antioch, “And by him all that BELIEVE are justified from all things.” (Already saved without baptism!)

The man who depends on baptism to save him will go down in the water a dry sinner and will come up a wet sinner, but he need expect no change of heart in that water. Baptism is to picture a change of heart which happens when one trusts in Christ.

OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS SAVED BY FAITH, WITHOUT BAPTISM

We have the record of many people in the Bible who were saved without baptism. I remind you that God has never had but one plan of salvation. In the Old Testament it was “not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). In fact, the eleventh chapter of Hebrews tells us of case after case of people in the Old Testament times who were saved by faith. Acts 10:43 makes clear that the only plan of salvation taught in the Old Testament was by faith in Christ, just as it was preached in the New Testament. There, Peter said:

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”

Remember, there never was any plan of salvation but by faith. Every Old Testament sacrifice and ceremony was a picture and shadow and type of the Lord Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world!”

Now, all of these Old Testament saints were saved without baptism, for there is not a word in the Old Testament about baptism and no record of a single person’s ever being baptized before John the Baptist began it. Baptism, then, is not a part of God’s plan of salvation.

PEOPLE SAVED WITHOUT BAPTISM IN NEW TESTAMENT

Since the same plan of salvation was preached in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, and people were saved in the Old Testament without baptism, you would expect them to be saved in the New Testament without baptism, and they were. In Luke 7:37-50 is the story of a woman, a notorious sinner. Verses 47 to 50 in that seventh chapter of Luke tell us plainly that her sins were forgiven her and that her faith had saved her. Read carefully these Scriptures :

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, ARE FORGIVEN; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

“And he said unto her, THY SINS ARE FORGIVEN”

“And he said to the woman, THY FAITH HATH SAVED THEE; go in peace.”

Jesus plainly stated that the woman was already forgiven and was already saved by faith. She knelt at the feet of Jesus, trusted Him, and went away a saved woman. She was saved without baptism.

In Luke 18:35-43 we are told about the healing and conversion of a blind man. Verse 42 tells plainly, in the words of Jesus Himself, just how he was saved :

“And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: THY FAITH HATH SAVED THEE.”

Notice that salvation was received right there before he was baptized.

That is the same plan of salvation given throughout the book of John; in John 1:12, John 3:14-18, John 3:36, John 5:24, John 6:37, and many other places. It is the same plan taught by Peter after Pentecost (Acts 10:43). It was the same plan taught by Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, (Acts 13:38,39; Acts 16:30,31; Ephesians 2:8,9; Romans 3:28 and Romans 4:5-8). People were saved in the Old Testament by faith without baptism, were saved during the life of Jesus by faith without baptism, and were saved after Pentecost by faith without baptism.

That publican, about whom the Saviour has told us in Luke 18:13,14 was saved without baptism. Standing there in the temple, he prayed, saying: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Jesus tells us about him then, that, “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified“! He was saved, then, without baptism.

THIEF ON THE CROSS SAVED WITHOUT BAPTISM

The most remarkable case of this kind is the thief converted on the cross as told in Luke 23:39-43. When that poor man turned to the Lord Jesus and asked to be in His kingdom, the Lord Jesus replied, “Verily I say unto thee, to day shalt thou be with me in paradise“! He died that day on the cross as we are told in the Scriptures and so could not have been baptized. But that day, according to the express statement of the Saviour, he went with Jesus to paradise. And some happy day, all who trust in Christ will see him there.

No, baptism is not essential to salvation.

TRUST JESUS FOR SALVATION

God has just one plan of salvation. It is not a process. It is not a series of steps. People are saved by faith in Christ, that way and no other way. Everything else that God asks of a sinner in order to be saved: repentance, prayer, coming to Christ,…etc, is summed up and settled when one depends upon Christ for the forgiveness of his sins. One could not turn his mind or heart toward God (repentance), without faith in Christ. You cannot come to Christ without believing on Him “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard ?” (Rom. 10:14). Confession by the mouth simply proves faith in the heart which has already secured salvation. God has no other plan of salvation except that promised in John 3:16,18,36; John 5:24; John 6:47; Acts 16:30-31. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Baptism follows, should follow immediately, but is not a part of God’s plan of salvation. When you are baptized, be sure that fact is made clear to those who look on. If you have this salvation, this change of heart by faith in Jesus Christ, then I beg you, follow Jesus in baptism as soon as possible.

Acts 2:38 – Satan’s Favorite Bible Verse!

Acts 2:38

Satan’s Favorite Bible Verse!

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 2:38) By James L. Melton The above verse of scripture is a favorite among many religious groups. One can hear it several times on Sunday morning radio programs, as well as from the pulpits of numerous groups, and it can be found in much religious literature. The verse is a favorite because, on the surface, it seemingly states that one must be baptized in order to be saved, and without baptism one is not saved. So, those who believe that water baptism is essential for salvation make it a regular habit of using Acts 2:38 as scriptural support. The problem is that Acts 2:38 isn’t the only verse in the Bible which deals with salvation. While many claim to “speak where the scriptures speak and remain silent where the scriptures are silent,” they practically ignore most of the New Testament teaching on salvation. The only verses that such false teachers quote and reference are the ones they feel they can use to promote their “water gospel.” The fact is that most of what the New Testament says about salvation doesn’t include baptism at all! (John 5:24, John 11:25-26, John 14:6, Romans 4:5, Romans 10:9-13, Eph. 2:8-9, etc.), and the few places that do mention water baptism do not include it as part of one’s salvation. Water baptism follows salvation as one of the first steps of obedience for the new believer. In spite of this obvious truth, the cultists remain steadfast in their heresy, insisting that Acts 2:38 sets forth water baptism as a requirement for salvation. Thus, this verse of scripture has become Satan’s favorite Bible verse. In fact, many are trusting water baptism alone for the salvation of their souls! Indeed, Satan has deceived multitudes by his perversion of Acts 2:38. Rather than ignore Acts 2:38 by quoting “our favorite verses” instead, it is more appropriate to face this popular verse of scripture and see if the cultists are right in what they claim it teaches. The Truth about Acts 2:38 First, please notice that verse 38 isn’t the only verse in Acts 2. In Peter’s message, a great deal was said before verse 38 came out of his mouth. In fact, he even told his listeners how to be saved before verse 38! In Acts 2:21, Peter quotes from Joel 2 and says, “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” His words preceding verse 38 were so convicting that his listeners were “pricked in their heart” in verse 37. So, to use verse 38 out of its context causes a misrepresentation of God’s word. The verse does not stand alone, and, in fact, a totally different meaning is conveyed when one makes it stand alone. Another error that many make with Acts 2:38 is the error of assumption. It is assumed that the word “for” must mean “in order to get.” That is, being baptized “for” the remission of sins supposedly means to be baptized “in order to get” remission of sins. However, a closer look at the scriptures will reveal that this isn’t the case at all. Notice Luke 5:12-14: “And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.” Jesus made this man clean in verse 13, yet in the next verse, verse 14, Jesus tells him to go offer a sacrifice “for thy cleansing” as a “testimony.” Here the word “for” cannot mean “in order to get” because he had already gotten his cleansing in verse 13! It obviously meant “because of” his cleansing. If a man goes to jail “for stealing,” then he goes there “because of” the stealing that he’s already done, not “in order to get” a chance to steal again. Some like to argue that the Greek word “eis” means “in order to,” but this isn’t always the case. Jesus said in Matthew 12:41, “The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at (eis) the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.” The Greek word for “at” is “eis.” Does this mean that the men of Nineveh repented “in order to get” the preaching of Jonah? No, they repented “because of” the preaching of Jonah. So, even “the Greek” doesn’t demand the popular interpretation of Acts 2:38. The word “for” can be used different ways, not just one, so it is wrong to assume that it must mean “in order to get” in Acts 2:38. Another factor which is commonly ignored is the JEWISH factor. Every person in Acts 2 is a Mosaic law observing Old Testament Jew. In fact, they are all gathered together to observe a JEWISH FEAST called Pentecost (verse 1). A fair reading of the whole chapter (especially verses 4, 14, and 36) will clearly reveal that no Gentiles (non Jews) are present. Since this involves Jews, it involves a NATION (verse 36!!), not individuals. No one asked, “What must I do to be saved?” The question asked concerned the NATION of Israel: “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (verse 37) Not, “What shall I do,” but rather, “What shall WE do?” Acts 2 presents a NATION of people who come to realize that they have murdered their blessed Messiah and they’re asking what THEY must do. It’s a question concerning NATIONAL salvation. Isaiah 66:8 says, “. . . shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.” The “nation” is Israel! Romans 11:26 says, “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.” Acts 2:38 is dealing with NATIONAL salvation. The Messianic Kingdom is still available to the Jews (until Acts 7:60 when they kill Stephen), so national salvation remains an issue until then. This is clear from what follows Acts 7. In Acts 8, an individual from Africa is saved (before baptism). In Acts 9, an individual from Asia is saved (before baptism). In Acts 10, an individual from Europe is saved (before baptism). Why didn’t these individual conversions occur before Acts 7? Because the first seven chapter of Acts deal with Israel (1:6-8; 2:36; 3:12; 4:8-10; 5:31; 6:7-14; 7:1-60). The question of INDIVIDUAL salvation is asked and answered in Acts 16:30-31: “. . . Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Those who fail to make this distinction are guilty of violating II Timothy 2:15 where we are told to RIGHTLY DIVIDE the word of truth. The Bible says the gospel is to go to the Jew FIRST (Rom. 1:16), so they are the FIRST to receive the gospel in the book of Acts (chapter 2), but they are not the last to receive it. Acts doesn’t end with chapter 2, so we should be cautious of anyone who develops their doctrine in Acts 2 while practically ignoring the next 26 chapters! If God didn’t stop in Acts 2, then why does anyone else? Could it be that the later chapters in Acts contain information which the cultists want hidden from us? Could it be that there are other scriptures in Acts which do not agree with the wording of Acts 2:38? Could it be that Peter himself, the one preaching in Acts 2:38, says something different when speaking to individual Gentiles like you and me? One only has to read Acts chapter 10 to get the answer. Peter is preaching again in Acts 10, except only to individual Gentiles, and something very interesting occurs. In Acts 2:38, the Holy Ghost was promised to be given to the converts AFTER they were baptized, yet in Acts 10:44 the Holy Ghost falls upon the Gentiles BEFORE they are baptized! Now, Paul tells us in Romans 8:9, ” . . .if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Having God’s Spirit is synonymous with belonging to God or being saved (John 3:6-8), so the Gentiles in Acts 10 were saved BEFORE they were baptized in water. Why don’t the Acts 2:38 cultists ever point this out? Answer: It destroys their perverted doctrine that water baptism is essential for salvation. The fact is that Acts 2:38 is NOT the “model” plan of salvation, nor are any of the other “water verses” which the cultists use. Only by taking such verses out of their context can one teach such heresy. All of the Bible is true, not just the favorite “proof texts” of the cults. Baptism saves no one. It only serves as a testimonial picture of the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ AFTER one has believed on Christ (Acts 8:36-38). Paul said in I Corinthians 1:17 that “. . . Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” This “gospel” is defined by Paul in I Corinthians 15:1-4, and it does NOT include water baptism. The dying thief was not baptized, yet Jesus saved him (Luke 23:42-43), and John wrote that we are washed in the BLOOD of Christ (Rev. 1:5), not in the water. In fact, the saints in Heaven claim to have gotten there by the blood of Jesus (Rev. 5:9), not by water. By faith in the blood of Jesus Christ one is saved (Rom. 3:25). Water baptism only follows this faith as an outward step of obedience. Friend, if you have fallen for the water gospel, why not repent of your sin and trust Jesus Christ alone? Acts 10:43 says, “To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Why not believe on Christ 100% right now and quit trusting something you DO for salvation? “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1) Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Romans 10:9-13 says, “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. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Why not right now?

Copyright © 2000 James L. Melton

Baptismal Regeneration Refuted

Refutes to Water Salvation

Baptismal Regeneration Refuted

What is “Baptismal Regeneration”?

Baptismal regeneration is the unbiblical doctrine that requires a person to be baptized in order to be saved.  Famous religious figures such as Martin Luther and John Calvin foolishly taught baptismal regeneration.  Many false religions such as Catholicism, Mormonism, and the Jehovah Witnesses also teach this demonic heresy.

You do NOT have to be baptized to go to heaven!!!

The real issue of baptism is this: Who is to be baptized- the one who has exercised faith in Christ and received salvation, or one who has not trusted Christ for salvation? We are to baptize believers, those who have trusted Christ to be their Saviour. It is a living faith alive before the act of baptism.  Any religion which requires Baptism for salvation is teaching that we should baptize people who have a dead faith. This characterizes a person who is not operating in faith until they are dunked in water.  This practice is unbiblical.  This is clearly a case of misplaced faith which trusts in a ceremony and not the object of our faith – Christ alone. The book of Colossians explains the heresy that came into the church that one needed to have additions and was just as devastating as the Galatians heresy.

John 3:5

The New Birth: by Water or Spirit?

Always taking a literal interpretation of the word “‘water” can become self-defeating for one’s theology.

John 3:5 - “Except a man be born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” Concerning those who practice baptism as the means of the new birth, every time “water” or “washing” is mentioned, they will insert their presupposition of regeneration through immersion of water. Aside from the interpretation through the Jewish culture, let’s look at some alternate explanations from Greek scholars.

Most consider the water a metaphor of the Holy Spirit. They arrive at this conclusion by the word “and” (Greek: Kai) which is used in an explanatory or exegetic sense. In other words, John 3:5 would read “Unless a man be born of water even (namely) the Spirit”

W. E. Vine comments that, “Some regard the Kai “and’, in John 3:5 as exegetic “even” in which case the water would be emblematic of the Spirit as in John 7:38 so it reads “born of water even the Spirit”.

Looking at John 7:38, 39a we read,”. . . out of his belly will flow rivers of living water. But this He spoke of the Spirit . . .” For those who interpret water and cleansing in a solid, literal sense, we must ask, “Does water flow out of our bellies and get people wet?” The answer is “No.” This is a metaphor of the Spirit. Jesus also used the concept of cleansing by the Word: “You are already clean by the Word I have spoken.” Did we literally become physically clean by His Word, or is this used in a spiritual sense? The word is used in the sanctification process of the believer. It conforms us to Christ’s likeness (moral likeness). Jesus said in John 6:63, “My words are spirit and they are life.” Nowhere does it say the water is life.

In John 3:5, there is only one new birth mentioned in this verse and it is from the Spirit as other Scriptures uphold. If we read this verse like some suggest, then it says “of water” and “of Spirit”. These would be two births. The Greek language actually reads, “of water and Spirit”, (Kai the Spirit) not, “of water and of the Spirit”.

The water also cannot mean the Word of God, because the Greek preposition (”out of”) is never used elsewhere in connection with the Word. Its source is always God Himself.

When describing the new birth, it is always the Greek word “dia“; (by, with, or through) that is used. “EK” signifies the source, while “dia” signifies the means. The source is the Holy Spirit who actually gives the new birth and the means is the Word of God. God will not use fallen creation to institute the new birth. He Himself is the source. By God’s indwelling, the believer is made the temple of the Living God.

Mark 16:16

“He that believeth, and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall not be saved.”

We find these passages in Mk. 16:9-20 are not found in some of the oldest Greek manuscripts, so it is questionable whether they are a scribal addition. Assuming that it is part of the canon of Scripture, it does not change other Scriptures. We find that those who believe and are baptized are saved, those who do not believe are condemned.

What it does not say is that the absence of baptism condemns someone. It is the absence of faith (belief) that will condemn, because it is one’s faith that is relative to salvation. One is baptized because they believe, not to believe.

According to the movement, no one can be saved without a third party there. (This includes someone reading the Bible on their own and coming to a saving knowledge of Christ (1 Tim 3:15.). God is the first party, man is the sinner, the second party in need of salvation, and the third party is the Oahu Church of Christ International representative. There has to be a saved individual as a representative to conduct the baptism for the second party. What then is the outcome of this type of doctrine? God cannot save one who believes in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection by his own power, but needs another helper (mediator) to be present. Also the water becomes the means to convey God’s grace, since “faith is exercised in the working of God at baptism”. (First Principles Study in Acts Series, under False Doctrine) What they are really saying is that one makes contact with Christ’s blood by the water (immersion is conversion).

From this view we can logically conclude that they are baptizing unbelievers to become believers, since their emphasis is on the act of immersion instead of faith. However, we find throughout the New Testament it was always a believer’s baptism. One believes first and is then baptized, and according to Eph. 1:13, we are sealed with the Spirit when we first believe, not afterward. Mark 16:16 says nothing of the person who believes and has not been baptized because there is an intermittent period when one first exercises faith, and is immersed in water.

Mk. 16:16 is paralleled with John 3:18, “He that believeth on Him (Christ) is not condemned”, shows unanimously with the rest of Scripture, that believing is what saves.

Paul: I Was Not Sent to Baptize

1 Corinthians 1:14-17

A situation in Corinth has arose which is dividing the Church. Some are saying they follow Paul , some Apollos, some Peter, others say they are of Christ only. Paul uses both  the example of Christ dying for them and being baptized in his name to illustrate their divisiveness. Paul then states “I thank God I baptized none of you.” Less they say they were baptized in the name of Paul. he only baptized a few. This is quite a dilemma for those who say baptism saves.

Paul states, “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel.” If baptism was a central part of the Gospel message, Paul would never have stated this.

Paul would not want to detract a believer from the redemptive work of Christ’s death and the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. Baptism can and does detract if we make it in any sense that which can complete God’s saving work of grace. (Imagine Paul saying, “I thank God I regenerated none of you.”)

1 Cor. 15:1-4, Paul tells us the Gospel message he delivered is in its entirety – Christ’s death, burial and resurrection; no baptism is mentioned. He would not have overlooked this important fact. This has the content of the Gospel that Paul preached – there is only one Gospel. This is what we are told to stand in, lest we believe in vain.

1 Cor. 4:15 In fact Paul states he was the Corinthian Church’s father and he had begotten them through the Gospel. This could not be true if baptism was part of the Gospel since, according to the account in 1 Cor. 1:14-17, he only baptized three people. Paul would then be guilty of delivering only part of the message he gave his life to preach. He would then be labeled a false teacher, someone who delivered another Gospel. I know for certain that this would not hold any water among reputable scholars. 1 Cor. 1:18 The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to those who are being saved it is the power of God. It is by the cross of Christ that one is saved, through his atoning death, his shed blood, nothing more, nothing less; vs. 21, then it pleased God, by the preaching of the cross, to save those who believe; vs. 23, we preach Christ crucified.

Romans 6

The phrase “Baptized into Christ” uses the Greek word “eis“, which should be interpreted in the same manner as in Acts 2:38, meaning “in reference to” His death. This word refers to an event that has already transpired. In this case, “eis” cannot mean “in order to obtain” His death, but rather refers to declaring it in the ceremony of baptism.

If one is to take being “baptized into Christ” in a solid literal sense, then there are questions that must be asked In reference to Rom. 6:3, did we really die with Him or is this being used in a metaphorical sense, illustrating a spiritual event? In verse 4, were we really buried with Him in a literal sense? Verse 5 says that we were united in the likeness of His death. “Likeness” shows us that it is an illustration or a shadow of the substance. It is a figurative action of the real suffering and death that Christ experienced. We were represented by Christ in His death and resurrection. It goes on to say that we shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. His has already occurred, ours has not. This is why it is only illustrating what He has done, otherwise, we would all be resurrected if we interpret this in a solid literal sense.

Like produces like. Every seed bears after its own kind (1 Peter 1:23 – “born of incorruptible seed”). Flesh produces flesh. If one is literally born of baptism, then he/she is like water. The Bible says that it is by the Spirit that one becomes born again. This refers to the substance of God – a person that conveys new life, not an inanimate created thing such as water.

In a sense, during baptism, we are watching the funeral of one’s old self that identified with Adam and comes up out of the water a new creation. “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20). The body of sin was canceled and no longer has its controlling power over us, since we died with Christ. We now have His Spirit empowering us to overcome our old nature of sin. Only dead people are buried, showing the believer’s death to sin and the law and raised in newness of life.

We do not contact the blood in a literal sense by baptism as the International Church of Christ teaches. Christ is not literally in the water, so being baptized does not literally put one in Christ. Also, where in the Bible does it say that Christ’s blood is in the water? One is washed by the blood when one believes. It is a continual cleansing as one confesses their sins (1 John 1:9).

The new birth of the Spirit ( John 3:8 ) is likened to the wind. One can’t tell where it comes from or where it goes. If the new birth was by baptism, one could certainly tell when it occurred. This is why we are saved by faith and not by a formal ordinance.

For example, we don’t get married to fall in love. We are already in love and we get married because of that relationship. It is a ceremony to proclaim the love that is already there. It is the same with baptism.

Baptism is related to Christ’s death, by itself it would have no meaning. However, Christ’s death would have meaning without baptism. Christ is the substance, baptism is the shadow. Baptism cannot pay the penalty of our sins. Romans 6:23 Christ, the substance, did. Baptism cannot redeem us, the blood of Christ did. 1 Pet. 1:18-20. Baptism cannot remove our condemnation or guilt. Gal. 3:10 But Christ did. vs. 13

If it is Christ’s work that literally redeems and justifies, freeing us from guilt, how can a baptism, which is a ceremony of this fact, do the same? We do not have two redemption’s, only one. It happened almost two thousand years ago in the person of Christ.

We Are All Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus

Galatians 3:26-27

In Galatians 3:26-27, we read: “You are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” This baptism has been interpreted as water. However, we have seen through various passages, this baptism does not refer to water but Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:15) Our union with Christ takes place at our regeneration, which is by God himself – the Spirit.

According to the International Churches of Christ one goes into the water without being justified or sanctified, and comes out of the water regenerated (made a Christian). Again, we find the same word that has caused controversy and confusion in Acts 2:38. The Greek word “eis” (into Christ) is a reference to Christ and His work (death, burial, and resurrection). “Eis” is a preposition of reference. Taking the whole verse in context shows that it is by faith that we become children of God. This is how one is baptized into Christ.

To “put on Christ” means that we live a new life, imitating Him. However, no one can authentically do this unless it is a work of the Spirit from the inside out. The Greek word for “put on” is “enduo“. This is the same word used in Romans 13:14, where it states, “But you put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof”. This is written to those who are already saved. It is not telling them to be baptized by water in order to put on Christ (also used metaphorically in putting on the whole armor of God in Eph. 6:11) after they are saved.

Verse 26 tells how one becomes a child of God. “For you are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us that it is by grace through faith we are saved. This is the means that is used. There is no other way. Why be baptized unless you already believe, and if one has belief enough to say that they want to obey and be baptized, does that belief change in any way afterward? No, of course not. It is the same belief before and afterward. The belief (faith) is just as much alive to save before baptism as it is during baptism. If one is being baptized to be saved, then, evidently that person is an unbeliever before the baptism. Then the International Church of Christ is baptizing unbelievers to make them believers counting on the water to be the agent of change where the new birth occurs.

Rom. 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, it is the power of God to salvation. . . For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written the just shall live by faith”. We see Paul stating, God begins with and ends with faith. Christ is the author and finisher of our faith.

Colossians 2:12

In Col. 2:11-12, we read, “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 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”

In the Old Testament, circumcision was the sign of the Abrahamic Covenant. It was a minor surgical operation that involved the cutting away of the flesh. Circumcision symbolized death to the flesh by the “cutting away of sins”, so in New Testament symbolism, it refers to spiritual circumcision. “Made without hands” meant that no human effort was involved, rather, it is God’s work The circumcision refers to His death, meaning when one believes their sin is cut off. It also relates to Christ’s death which He Himself called a “baptism”. This term did not mean a water baptism, but one of death and burial (Romans 2:29): “Circumcision is that of the heart in the Spirit, not in the letter. . .”, which the ceremony of baptism depicts. The Bible clearly teaches that circumcision is a work of the Spirit which circumcises since it is God’s work. This spiritual circumcision is the invisible work that baptism symbolizes.

Again, baptism points back to the work of Christ since it is the circumcision of Christ (not baptism) that achieves this for a believer. (In the same way, Rom. 6 refers to describing the occurrence of the Gospel.)

In the New Testament, we find that baptism is the sign or seal of the New Covenant, and functions like a substitute for circumcision of the Old Covenant. For the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 17:21) it was mandatory. Under the Mosaic Covenant ( Ex. 12:48 ), it was to show submission to the Law of Moses. Christ commissioned His disciples to go, teach, make disciples, and baptize. Just as circumcision was required of proselytes converting to Judaism, in a like manner, baptism was required as a visible mark of entrance into the New Covenant.

These two rites have similar meanings. Circumcision was characterized by a cutting away of sin and a change of heart. Baptism is a picture of the washing away of sin.

“Baptism did away with the need for circumcision because it signified the union of the believer with Christ, thereby cutting off the old nature. A lesser circumcision has been replaced by a greater circumcision. The spiritual circumcision promised under the Old Testament Covenant has become a reality under the New Covenant through baptism”. (George BeasIey-Murray, Baptism in the New Testament).

Again, baptism is only a visible symbol of what occurred by the previous reality, which is the real substance. It points back to Christ.

Cleansing and Washing by the Water or the Spirit?

Titus 3:5

Titus 3:5 says, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us through the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Spirit.”

At first examination of this passage, one can mistake it as if to mean water, however, this means just the opposite “Not by works of righteousness” – baptism is a righteous work. Jesus said that He was baptized “to fulfill all righteousness”, yet this is not the means through which we are saved. By mercy, which comes from His grace, we are washed and regenerated. The new creation is presented as a cleansing by his blood. It is the same figure Jesus used in John 15:3 when Jesus spoke of washing Peter’s feet. This cleansing Jesus spoke of was not a reference to a bodily cleansing that water does. Rather, it meant a moral cleansing by the Word of God in relation to sanctification. In John 15:3, Jesus says, “You are already cleansed by the Word I have spoken.” In Eph. 5:26, we read: “that He might set apart and cleanse her (the church) with the washing of water by the Word.” Water and cleansing were often illustrations associated with the Word of God.

Our new birth comes through hearing the Word and by the Spirit. (1 Peter 1:3 – the renewing of the Holy Spirit). This is not putting new clothes on a man, but putting a new man in the clothes. A contrast is shown between works that we earn and faith that receives God’s mercy and achieves what we ourselves cannot. It is the Spirit’s operation of washing us clean that accomplishes what we are unable to do ourselves.

The Spirit is the agent of regeneration and the Word of God is the instrument. Again, we see that it is by faith one receives the new birth, not by the works of their own hands. John 6:63 says, “The words that I speak to you are spirit and they are life.” In no way is water the means used to convey the new birth. The bible is clear God himself is the source of the new birth.

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Articles are taken from the spiral bound book International Church of Christ  Birth of a Cult. Which  is available from  Let Us Reason ministries P.O. Box.860683 Wahiawa HI 96786-063

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Mark 16:16 and Baptism

Mark 16:16 and Baptism

by David J. Stewart

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” -Mark 16:16

Mark 16:16 is one of the most misinterpreted Scriptures in the Word of God.  False religions such as the Church of Christ, Lutherans, Catholics, Jehovah Witnesses, Russian Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, and so many others…all require that a person be baptized in order to go to heaven. This heresy is known as “Baptismal Regeneration”. The Bible condemns such ADDING to the simple plan of salvation.  The Word of God is clear that salvation is obtained simply by believing upon the Lord Jesus Christ “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house“. -Acts 16:30,31.

Mark 16:16 DOES belong in the Word of God. The NIV (New International Version) butcher gang (Westcott and Hort followers) like to claim that Mark 16:15-20 weren’t in the originals. Maybe not in the corrupt Alexandrian originals, but they were certainly found in the preserved originals at Antioch. This is why you need a 1611 King James Bible and NO other! Mark 16:16 confuses people who don’t read the rest of the Bible. It is dangerous to take one Scripture out of context by itself. There’s 31,102 verses in the King James Bible, and they all perfectly interlock together to convey the Truth.  You can’t just arbitrarily open the Bible and expect to obtain an accurate understanding of it’s contents. You need to read all of it.

Having said that, Mark 16:16 is brought to light when compared with 1st Corinthians 1:17…

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”

At first glance, Mark 16:16 appears to teach that a person needs to be baptized to be saved; however, when compared with the rest of the Word of God, it is clear that salvation is of the heart.  Salvation is of God, NOT man.  Baptism is simply a public demonstration of the inner work of regeneration, nothing more.  Martin Luther in his Small Catechism clearly states that “Baptism is not just plain water.”  That’s a lie!  Baptism no more makes you a Christians than a wedding ring would make a woman married.  If fact, some single women wear rings just to give the impression that they’re married.  Just because a man finds a police badge doesn’t automatically make him an officer of the law.  Baptism is simply an ordinance that our Lord started in the New Testament church; but it is an act of discipleship, not salvation.

I used to work with an ordained Church of Christ minister.  He went to some big Church of Christ college down in Texas for four years. Anyway, we talked often on the subject and he taught me much about the Church of Christ’s beliefs. Surely, there are many areas of the Scriptures which are not fundamental doctrines of the faith (i.e., they’re not necessary for salvation).  Even among Baptists, we don’t agree on everything.  In fact, there are over 75 varieties of Baptists in America.  People often ask me which religion is the right one and I always tell them…none of them!  Salvation is NOT found in a religion, but in a Person–The Lord Jesus Christ!

Mark 16:16 cannot be taken ALONE.  The only accurate way to interpret the Scriptures is to not interpret them, but compare Scripture with Scripture…

“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” -1st Corinthians 2:13

1st Corinthians 1:17 declares that Paul was NOT sent by Christ to baptize, but to preach the Gospel…

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” -1st Corinthians 1:17

Some Church of Christ followers believe that Paul’s disciples performed the baptisms instead. I do not find that taught in the Scriptures. We know that Jesus didn’t Baptize, but His disciples did (John 4:2).  But this was an act of discipleship, not faith unto salvation.  People in the Bible were always baptized AFTER they were saved, not to get saved. A woman wears a ring because she is married, not to get married. The ring is simply a token of her marriage vows, just as the rainbow is God’s token to us that He will never destroy the earth again by flood.

Oftentimes we see Jesus in the Bible speaking to people alone, such as the Samaritan woman in John 4, and Nicodemus in John 3 at midnight.  Jesus never mentioned Baptism.  Salvation is by FAITH…

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” -Romans 5:1

“And he found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” -Philippians 3:9

Also, please notice that Mark 16:16 declares that “he that believeth not shall be damned”, NOT “he that is not baptized.”  The same should be applied to 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.” Romans 10:9,10

Does a person have to audibly “confess” Christ to be saved? I actually heard a preacher on the radio say “yes, you do”. The truth is that you DON’T, salvation is of the heart. Jesus clearly said in Matthew 7:21 that not every one which saith unto Him “Lord, Lord, (confessing with the mouth) shall enter into the kingdom of heaven…but he that doeth the will of the Father.“  John 6:40 tells us what the will of the Father is…

And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” -John 6:40

The will of God is for us to be saved is to simply believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ, no more.  A person can confess with their mouth all they want to and still go to hell. They had better do the will of God, which is to believe upon the Saviour.

It is clear that Baptism is NOT required for salvation. God’s plan of salvation has never changed, it has always been the same…by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8,9).  No one in the Old Testament was ever baptized. They were saved back then the same way we are today.  In the Old Testament, people looked forward to the coming messiah and placed their faith upon Him to forgive their sins.  Today, we look back to Calvary and believe upon Christ because of His work of atonement.  Salvation has never changed.  God never changes (Malachi 3:6).

Kind regards,

David J. Stewart

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1st Peter 3:21 Explained

1st Peter 3:21 Explained

By David J. Stewart

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…”

Many false religions attempt to use 1st Peter 3:21 to mandate baptism for salvation, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Many Lutherans pervert the Gospel by twisting this Scripture. So also do United Pentecostal Churches. It’s important for any Bible student to look at the surrounding Scriptural context in which a statement is made in the Bible.  If you read the entire chapter of 1st Peter 3, you’ll learn that Peter was instructing us in Christian living (i.e., wives obeying their husbands, husbands loving their wives, being a law abiding citizen, etc).

1st Peter 3:21 is difficult to grasp if you don’t take into consideration other related Scriptures.  In verse 20, Peter mentions Noah and the ark, and likens “baptism” to Noah and his family being saved through the flood.  That’s very interesting.  There are many great men of God who put forth differing opinions as to what this particular verse means; but they ALL agree that water baptism is NOT required for salvation.  I am firmly convinced that this Scriptural passage is speaking of being baptized into Christ through His Spirit, because verse 21 clearly ends with the phrase … “by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.“  Thus, it says “baptism saves us … by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”  1st Corinthians 15:14 states, “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.“  It is the FACT that Christ has arisen that makes it possible for us to be born again by God’s Spirit.  Just as Noah and his family entered “into” the ark by faith, and were saved from the flood by the ark (a kind of “baptism”), so we go “into” Christ by faith through the Spirit’s baptism and are saved “in Him.”

Baptism With The Holy Spirit (Salvation)

It is CRITICAL that you understand that baptism is often used in a FIGURATIVE sense in the Bible, and not just in a LITERAL sense. For example: In 1st Corinthians 10:2, Paul speaks of the Jews being “baptized unto Moses” (i.e., the Hebrews had been living and working “unto” their Egyptian taskmasters. They labored as slaves unto Pharaoh. The Red Sea crossing had separated, or marked the death of, themselves to Egypt, and the Egyptians to them.  Now they had a new leader, Moses. Their being baptized “unto Moses” simply meant that they no longer were forced to heed the voice of the slave masters in Egypt, but the voice of a new Master – God – whose spokesman was Moses). Some theologians believe that baptism is used in a figurative sense here (i.e., that the ark of Noah’s day represents our baptism by the Spirit of Christ, which IS our salvation).  If 1st Peter 3:21 uses baptism in a figurative sense, then it can only be referring to the baptism of the Holy Spirit (which has nothing whatsoever to do with water baptism).  The baptism which “doth also now save us” in 1st Peter 3:21 is the “baptism of the Spirit” which John the Baptist spoke of in Mark 1:8 … “I indeed have baptized you with water: but he (Jesus) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.“

The following exegesis of 1st Peter 3:21 is brilliant, and I believe accurate.  It is well worth the time to read it thoroughly, as it blows the heretics right out of the water (no pun intended):

To take first things first, here is my translation of 1st Peter 3:21:

And it is [just] this true baptism [of the Spirit] which saves you. Not any [literal] washing away of filth from your flesh, but an appeal to God for a clean conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 1st Peter 3:21

The context of this verse is twofold:

1) Christ’s pre-resurrection stay in Hades (specifically, in “Abraham’s bosom” or paradise) during which time He made proclamation of His victory to the offending fallen angels of Genesis 6, this proclamation having been accomplished “by means of the Spirit” (v.19), “through which” Holy Spirit He was resurrected (v.18).

2) The “baptism” of Noah and his family “into the ark” which forms an analogy to our baptism into Christ.

… Peter brings the whole period to a conclusion in verse 21 by comparing our salvation through the Spirit’s baptism to Christ’s resurrection by means of the Spirit in verse 18. This is complicated, I know, so let me give a synopsis of these verses to try and bring the argument out in a more understandable way, keeping in mind that the two-fold main idea here is first the power of the Spirit for deliverance our Lord, our exemplar and Savior and for us, and, second, the Spirit’s means of accomplishing this for us, the baptism by which are made one with Christ, which is foreshadowed by the entrance of the righteous into the ark:

v.18: Christ died for us, but was resurrected by the Spirit’s power, and

v.19: by the Spirit’s power He proclaimed victory to the imprisoned spirits,

v.20: who offended when Noah was saved through a symbol of Spirit baptism (the ark),

v.21: just as we are now saved by Spirit baptism through Christ’s resurrection.

Verse 21 answers verse 18: as Christ was resurrected through the Spirit, so we are saved by being united to Him in resurrection by the Spirit.

Verse 20 answers verse 19: as Christ was empowered to preach to the disobedient men and women in Noah’s day through the Spirit, so the righteous of that day were saved in the ark, a type of Christ in whom we are by the Spirit.

Verse 18 complements verse 19: It is the power of the Spirit that took Christ to Hades, and it is that same power of the Spirit that raised Christ.

Verse 21 complements verse 20: Noah and his family were saved in the ark, a type of being saved by being in Christ through the Spirit, and in the true type we are saved by actually being in union with Christ through the Spirit.

Peter needed to add the “Noah argument” to keep this construction parallel, because while both Christ in His humanity and believers are resurrected by the Spirit’s power, we can be baptized into Him but not the other way around (so that the “baptism into the ark” is added both for the sake of analogy, and to add a second instance of the Spirit’s power working for Him in his humanity, also one which applies only to Him and not to us). This approach also allows Peter to explain the truth about baptism in general and to do so in a delicate way so as to avoid offense. To take the essential argument in reverse (i.e., working backward from verse 21 to verse 18 and expanding the translation to make the issues more understandable), I would paraphrase this section as follows:

Water baptism doesn’t save you. No, rather it is the Spirit’s baptizing you into Christ following your calling upon God in repentance and in faith in Jesus and His resurrection that saves you as God answers your prayer for a clean conscience before Him: it is repentance and faith that saves you, not any literal washing off of the dirt on your body but the washing of your hearts through repentance and faith, for this is the true baptism, the baptism of the Spirit which follows your repentance and faith. Now the baptism of the Spirit is analogous to the “baptism” that Noah and his family experienced, for they entered the ark as you entered Christ, and they were really saved by this entrance into the ark rather than by the water which destroyed the world, just as you are really saved by your entrance into Christ through the Spirit rather than by any literal water administered in ritual … yes, and Jesus has proclaimed the victory of His cross through which you have been saved, and He did so through the power of the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that three days later resurrected Him, even though He had died for your sins, once and for all, the Just for the unjust, to bring you to God [accomplished through your appeal for a clean conscience and faith in His resurrection and sealed by the Spirit baptizing you into Him.  -1^st Peter 3:21, 20, 19, 18 [reverse order expanded translation]

To put it into a “nutshell”, these verses make the following points: 1) it is Christ’s sacrifice which is the key to salvation; 2) that sacrifice is appropriated for salvation by repentance and faith in Him and His resurrection; 3) that salvation is sealed by the Spirit’s baptism; 4) it is the baptism of the Spirit that is important in this process, not water baptism; 5) water baptism merely removes literal dirt, but the Spirit’s baptism makes us one with Christ; 6) Noah’s ark gives us an analogy of this, for just as he went into the ark by faith (a kind of “baptism”) and was saved “in it”, so we go into Christ by faith through the Spirit’s baptism and are saved “in Him”. This is Peter’s equivalent to Paul’s 1st Corinthians 1:17 (”For Christ did not send me to baptize”), and with an appropriate explanation: water baptism doesn’t accomplish anything – it is the Spirit’s baptism that is the key. One of the problems commentators, interpreters and people in general have had with understanding this passage is the failure to understand that the way the Bible uses baptizo is very often NOT one of merely dipping into water. For example, Paul does something very similar to Peter here at 1^st Corinthians 10:2 where he says that all the Israelites were “baptized into Moses” – clearly no water there, rather they were “in Moses” (i.e., God considered them like Moses and delivered them in spite of their unworthiness, just as we are delivered in Christ when God sees Him instead of our unworthiness). Failure to see that the Bible uses “baptism” much more often in the figurative sense in the epistles than in the literal sense has caused many misunderstandings and false interpretations of scripture. Many people can’t get beyond the water.

In 1st Peter 4:6, Peter continues this exact same refrain of the power of the Spirit and the importance of the spiritual dimension over that of the physical or literal one. Just as Christ was “put to death in the flesh” but “made alive by the Spirit“, so God’s first and best desire for all mankind is that they will come to realize in this physical life (”according to men”) that they stand condemned before Him “in the flesh”, in order that they may have eternal life (”according to God”) “by the Spirit“. -SOURCE

1st Peter 3:21 and Water Baptism

Our salvation is in God’s hands alone.  When Paul said “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” in Philippians 2:12, he specifically mentions “your” salvation; not God’s salvation.  In Dr. Jack Hyle’s book, Salvation Is More Than Being Saved, he accurately states in Chapter 5 (Work Out Your Own Salvation) …

“Notice the words, “work out your own salvation.”  Notice, I am not commanded to work out God’s salvation, for I cannot do that.  I am, however, commanded to work out my own.  I have no part in the salvation of my soul; I do have a part in the salvation of my life.”

Water baptism has never saved anyone from Hell, and never will. If you’re trusting water baptism to forgive your sins, then you’re just getting wet my friend, and you will go to Hell in your self-righteousness when you die. Peter was simply saying that we should be willing to suffer for Jesus, because He willingly suffered for us … “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1st Peter 3:18). The message of 1st Peter chapter 3 is that we should walk in newness of life, which Christ has purchased for us with His own blood.

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The Unbiblical Practice of Infant Baptism

The Unbiblical Practice of Infant Baptism

By Dr. Max D. Younce, Pastor

HERITAGE BAPTIST BIBLE CHURCH
P.O. Box 573| Walnut Grove, MN 56180 | Telephone (507) 859-2519

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Infant Baptism

I. The Tradition:

By use of the word “infant,” we are referring to babies and all children who have not reached the age of accountability. Their baptism is administered by the rite of sprinkling, with the idea that this suits the baby for acceptance into Heaven by the Lord.  As religious and appealing to the flesh this ceremony is; one can search the bible through, but will come up empty handed when looking for Scripture to support such an ordinance or practice.

After a person has reached the age of accountability (this varies with the child), they are responsible for their own destiny of Heaven of hell by their acceptance or rejection of Christ as their Saviour. Since a baby is incapable of making that decision, it is asinine to think God would leave the eternal destiny of an infant in the hands of its parents. If that were true, some babies would go to Hell because of unbelieving parents.  Our Lord disclaims any responsibility for such a thought. Only to religious tradition can such a damnable claim be accredited.

Again, we emphasize that nowhere in God’s Word do we find that babies are to be–or ever were–baptized. As we find in Scripture, the prerequisite for baptism is always belief or faith in Christ as Saviour; a baby is incapable of doing this.  In Roman, we find that baptism is a testimony of a Christian’s new LIFE and WALK with Christ.

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into (unto) Jesus Christ, were baptized into (unto) his death.” - Romans 6:3

In baptism, by being placed under the water, we show, symbolically, a public testimony of our personal, living faith in Christ’s death as payment for our sins.

“…that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the father…” -Romans 6:4

Therefore, coming up out of the water of baptism is one’s testimony of his faith in Christ’s resurrection.  This is the Gospel that must be believed to have eternal life, the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of our Saviour.

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the GOSPEL which I preached unto you … how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures.” - 1st Corinthians 15:1,3,4

Then, we are instructed in Romans 6:4, “even so we should walk in newness of life,” as a continuance of our testimony for Him.  My question is, since baptism is a testimony and declaration to walk in newness of life, how does a baby do this?  Of course–this is impossible!  Should we press this tradition to a conclusion, babies that are born and die within a few months after birth would then be condemned, having no opportunity to be baptized.

The late Dr. Harry Ironsides once related that a writer endorsing “household baptism” stated that “parents who brought unbaptized children to him in prayer for blessing, were only bringing Cain’s offering!”, i.e., unbaptized children were the children of Satan, since Cain was of that Wicked One (Satan, John 3:12).  Can one imagine the mental agony and depression parents experience when abused with this kind of philosophical tradition, void of Scriptural truth?

II. The Tragedy:

Only in eternity will it be revealed how many souls have plunged into Hell, with their memory of baptism as a baby bearing the responsibility for their fate.  This, in no way, relieves the burden or recompense to the parents, who followed this lie and those who have penetrated and administered the lie of infant baptism.  So many times, down through the years, when trying to lead someone to the Lord, I have been advised that their parents had them baptized when they were a baby.  Their reasoning and confidence is asserted when they assure me that Mom and Dad would not have done this if it wasn’t necessary for their Salvation.  Once the parents have their baby baptized; that baby, when an adult, is then placed in a position of going against its parents, should he stand on God’s Word in the Doctrine of Baptism.  For that person to conclude that God was right and their baptism was not founded on Scripture, puts them in a position diametrically opposed to their parents beliefs.  This is a very difficult thing for children, and adults, to do when facing their parents.

Some time back, a wonderful Christian lady related to me that she was having a real problem with her stepson who had come to live with them. His mother had him baptized when he was a baby and he is now convinced that will take him to Heaven (he is only 10 years of age).  The stepmother is continually trying to show and persuade him that Christ is the only way to Heaven (John 14:6), not baptism. The situation had become a difficult one, since his mother has influenced him otherwise. If he trusts Christ as his Saviour, he knows he will have to conclude his mother is wrong.

Psychologically, a child may be thinking that his parents will hate him, dislike him, or not trust him, if he goes against what his parents have taught him.  These thoughts are a real detriment to a son or daughter when trying to lead them to trust Christ as their Saviour.  Of course, “Old Scratch” (Satan) is always present to keep those thoughts surfacing and activated, to keep them from being saved.  The sad thing is…many times parents don’t even go to Church or have any concern for God’s Word.  They have their baby baptized and this seems to give their conscience some relief of any future responsibility.  How sad when a child’s eternal destiny is at stake.

I hope you can begin to see the eternal consequences that many will experience as a result of infant baptism. Remember, no where do we find in God’s Word that infants are to baptized.  No human effort ever fits a baby, adolescent, or adult for the Kingdom of God.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe his name:

Which were born, not of blood, nor the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God.” -John 1:12,13

III. The Truth:

The pseudo-doctrine of infant baptism is built upon tradition and theory as a result of man’s imaginations, “vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind” ( Colossians 2:18 ).  Christ rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for placing their traditions over the Word of God:

“…This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart if far from me.  Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men … And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” -Mark 7:6, 7, 9

Paul, again, in Colossians 2:8 gave the warning,

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”

As one Bible scholar has put it concerning those who teach and practice infant baptism, “It seemed to me that they had read their teachings INTO Scripture, NOT OUT OF IT; rather EISEGENIS, than true EXEGESIS.”  When religion introduces tradition, any Scripture is sought which would seem to justify its use.  So, let us examine the error of this and then explore the truth.

IV. Examining the Error:

The reasoning of many is that if a whole household is baptized, it must include babies also.  Let us examine some of the errors that are projected.  Cited are some of the passages which are used.

1. Lydia’s Household.

“And when she (Lydia) was baptized and HER HOUSEHOLD, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there.  And she constrained us.” -Acts 16:15

On the part part of those who endorse infant baptism, it is presupposed that her household included a baby, or babies; yet, God’s Word contains no such account.  There is no record of Lydia being married, being a mother, or having children in her home.  We are told that after Paul and Silas left Lydia’s house, they were beaten and out in prison.  Upon their release, they returned to Lydia’s house and we find out who composed the household.  The record is given in Act 16:40.

“And they (Paul and Silas) went out of prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.”

These brethren, as spoken of in Verse 15, made up the household of Lydia.  She could have given them free lodging, or could have charged them for their lodging, we simply do not know.  “Her household” in Verse 15 does not necessarily mean her own family; but, from the record, would be inclusive of all that were lodging in her home; which, from Verse 40, would have been “the brethren.”  These were the ones baptized, along with Lydia, in Verse 15 and spoken of as “her household.”

“…She (Lydia) attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” (Verse 14). (Then she was baptized.”)

Her household, as the brethren in verse 40 were called, shows us they were saved and then baptized. Paul never baptized anyone to be saved, only those who were already saved.

2. Jailer’s Household.

Another of the Verses used to support infant baptism is found in Acts 16:30,31…

“Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

The record of what took place is very simple and concise; the jailer had brought Paul and Silas to his home, as recorded in Verse 34:

“And when he (the jailer) had brought them unto his house, he sat meat before them…”

Paul and Silas then witnessed to all that were in his house, as recorded in Verse 32:

“And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to ALL that were in his house.”

Their message was:

“…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved…“

The whole household believed (Verse 34):

“…he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing on God WITH ALL HIS HOUSE.”

After this the jailer and his whole house were baptized, as stated in Verse 33:

“And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was BAPTIZED, he and ALL HIS (HOUSEHOLD) straightway.”

In Verse 34 we are told that:

“…BELIEVING in God with ALL his house.“

It is evident there were no babies present or belonging to his family, as a baby is incapable of understanding and believing Paul’s message; therefore, the “all” that composed his household excluded any infants.  Only those that believed were baptized–made up of everyone present and his family.

3. Household of Stephanas.

Paul bears record of baptizing the household of Stephanas in 1st Corinthians 1:16.  Here is the account:

“And I baptized also the household of Stephanas…”

Again, there is no mentioning of infants being baptized or being in the household of Stephanas.  We do find in the same epistle, Paul mentioning the family of Stephanas in Chapter 16, Verse 15, as the whole family having addicted themselves to the ministry of the Saints.  Here is the record:

“I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have ADDICTED THEMSELVES TO THE MINISTRY OF THE SAINTS.)”

No infant can do this, thus excluding any infants from being in the household of Stephanas.  I hope you can begin to see the extremes to which religion will extend itself in misuse of Scripture to support its tradition.  Proverbs 30:6 is surely a warning to those who exercise this practice:

“Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.”

4. House of Crispus.

Paul, while on his second missionary journey, had left Athens and arrived at Corinth.  Many there were led to Christ and baptized, including the chief ruler of the synagogue and his whole family.  The record is given in Acts 18:8:

“And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, BELIEVED ON THE LORD WITH ALL HIS HOUSE; and many of the Corinthians hearing BELIEVED, and were baptized.”

The only ones baptized were those capable of believing.  Belief in Christ makes one Christian, belief in God’s Word and a willingness to obey makes one desire to be baptized.  There is no mention, or even a hint, of infants being baptized within the family of Crispus.

V. Examining the Truth:

To bring an infant to a minister or priest for baptism and blessing would actually be accusing God of not loving little babies.  Would one dare insinuate that the God of the Universe does not care for or His watchful blessings on a baby until it is baptized?  Is baptism the “switch” that activates God’s love to the child?  In other words, prior to baptism, God does not love the child.  This is what tradition and false doctrine does in a very subtle way; it falsely accuses God of not loving little babies until they are baptized.

Infant baptism also substitutes the minister or priest in place of Christ as the Mediator who confers the blessings to the child by means of baptism.  Would not 1st Timothy 2:5 be applicable here:

“For there is one God, and ONE MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

No priest or minister has any power to confer blessings upon anyone–infant or adult!  This power rests solely in the hands of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus.

In the Synopsis, we have the record of little children and infants being brought to Christ, unbaptized, to receive His blessings.  Matthew 19 and Mark 10 tell us that children (Gr. “a young child”) were brought to Christ; while Luke 18 lets us know that some of the mothers brought their babies (Gr. BROPHOS, “infants”) to be touched by the Lord.  Does this constitute a contradiction, we ask?  Absolutely not! –since we have both infants and young children being brought to the Lord at the same time; therefore, the Gospels are not contradictory, but, complementary and complete. Here is Dr. Luke’s account in Chapter 18, Verses 15, 16:

“And they brought unto him ALSO INFANTS, that he would touch them…(15).  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (16).

The Greek word for “children” in Verse 16 is “paidion” and is used of both infants and young children.  Our Lord summoned both the mothers with infants and those with young children.  To these He stated, “for of such is the kingdom of God.”  Should one of these infants die unbaptized, Christ assures the parent that they belong to the kingdom of God.  Baptism has absolutely no place in any person’s life until after they are saved!  When these parents brought their children, Christian baptism had not yet been introduced for the Church.  Matthew 28:19, 20 instructing the 11 Disciples to baptize occurred after the resurrection of our Lord.

From Luke 18:15, 16 we are assured of several facts:

1. Infants and small children were brought to Christ (Matthew 19:13).


2. These were never baptized, as that ordinance was still forthcoming.


3. Christ rebuked the disciples for interfering.


4. Christ loved the infants and young children, held them, and blessed them; yet they were unbaptized.

“…and He (Christ) took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.” -Matthew 10:16

5. Christ assured their parents and all present that these little ones, even though unbaptized, belonged to Him and His kingdom:

“…for of such (children) is the kingdom of Heaven.” -Matthew 19:14

One may ask, what did Christ do to bless these Children?  Here the Greek word for “blessed” is “EULOGEO” and means “to speak well of; praise; thank; or involve a benediction upon.”  Verbally, our Lord was letting everyone present, know how much He loved these babies and little children–the product of His creation!

Now, we are going to list, for a simple comparison, man’s religious tradition:

1. No unbaptized baby can receive blessing from the priest or minister. (Tradition)


2. No unbaptized babies are going to heaven. (False)


3. The priest or minister will confer the blessing. (False)

One can easily see that church tradition is diametrically opposed to God’s Word.  Who will you believe?  The Lord’s plea is found in Psalm 118:8:

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.”

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Dr. Max D. Younce, Pastor

HERITAGE BAPTIST BIBLE CHURCH
P.O. Box 573
Walnut Grove, MN 56180
Telephone (507) 859-2519

Web: www.heritagebbc.com

Examination of Baptisms Occuring in Scripture

Examination of Baptisms Occurring in Scripture

By Dr. Max D. Younce, Pastor

HERITAGE BAPTIST BIBLE CHURCH
P.O. Box 573| Walnut Grove, MN 56180 | Telephone (507) 859-2519

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Various Baptisms Occurring in the Scripture Examined.

1. The Purpose of Christ’s Baptism:

Here is the record in Matthew 3:13-15…

“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered (permitted) him.”

Not only are we going to examine the purpose of Christ’s baptism, but to what extent and in what manner it “fulfilled all righteousness.”  We need to remember that the purpose of Baptism is identification.  John’s baptism of Christ was to prepare Israel for the acceptance of Christ as their Messiah.  It was time for our Lord to publicly identify Himself to Israel (John 1:31).  Everything works on God’s timetable–to the minute!  Notice in Matthew 3:15, when our Lord stated “suffer it to be so NOW.”  His birth, ministry, and His crucifixion were in fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies, and fit God’s timetable to perfection!  By His baptism, He was symbolically showing what He would do on the cross at the conclusion of His earthly ministry.  Yes, Israel knew what the prophets had said concerning their Messiah.  When He was placed under the water, this actually fulfilled a two-fold purpose: first, to remind Israel of the Old Testament Scripture prophesying of His death…

“For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.” (Psalm 22:16)

Secondly, to identify Himself as the One who would fulfill this on the cross, or, their Messiah.  His baptism had publicly announced to Israel that God had given “his only begotten Son” to die on the cross and be resurrected as the payment for the sins of the world; as John bare testimony…

“…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

The diaspora and persecution of Israel can be attributed to their rejection of Jesus Christ as their Messiah.  How sad as we realize, in retrospect, that “He came unto his own (Israel) but his own received him not” (John 1:11).  This was the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, spoken of in Matthew 12:31, when he had convicted Israel that Christ was their Messiah and they refused Him.

One may then ask, “How could Israel have accepted Christ and still crucified Him on the cross?”  It is true that Christ would have had to go to the cross as payment for the sins of the world, regardless of Israel’s acceptance or rejection.  The cross was inevitable, but their motive could have made the difference.  Unfortunately, their motivation was hatred and rejection as stated by Dr. Luke in Acts 2:23…

“Him (Christ), being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by WICKED HANDS have crucified and slain.”

On the other hand, they could have accepted Him as their Messiah, declaring their faith as they tearfully placed Him on the cross, proclaiming to all that they would be standing at the tomb three days later, in full anticipation of meeting their Lord in His resurrected body.  Therefore, they could have lifted Him up with holy hands of FAITH, instead of wicked hands of unbelief.

Now back to our second question, How Christ’s baptism fulfilled all righteousness.  Notice, the Scripture says “all righteousness,” not “his righteousness.”  We know our Lord was sinless and remained sinless throughout His life.

“For he hath made him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2nd Corinthians 5:21)

Since Christ was sinless, His baptism added nothing to His righteousness, for He was God manifest in human flesh.  Therefore, since God’s Word is righteous and pure, the fulfillment of such would be the evidence.  Note Proverb 30:5…

“Every word of God is PURE; he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.”

God’s Word had prophesied of Christ’s death (Psalm 22:16) and His resurrection (Psalm 16:10).  Therefore, Christ’s declaration of His identification by baptism proved God’s Word to be righteous or pure, which had prophesied of this hundreds of years before; hence, fulfilling all righteousness (God’s Word) which spoke of His death, burial and resurrection.  His baptism, pointing to the cross, was looked upon as though it was already accomplished.  That is why He stated “to fulfill ALL righteousness,” for the fulfillment of those prophecies were as good as done.  That’s the assurance we have today in the sureness, righteousness, and pureness of God’s Word.  What are you trusting for your salvation, God’s infallible Word or the shallowness of man’s ideologies?

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (John 5:24)

2. Baptism by John the Baptist (Matthew 3; Mark 1; Luke 3; John 1)

The purpose of John’s Baptism is made clear by the message he proclaimed.  Matthew 3:1-3…

“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

His message was to announce to Israel that the Lord Jesus was here, and that He was their King and Messiah.  The correct translation of Verse 2 would help clarify this…

“Repent (i.e., change your mind) for the Kingdom of THE HEAVENS is at hand.”

The Kingdom was at hand, or presented, because the King was present and at hand.  It should be noted that the phrase “kingdom of heaven” is found approximately 38 times and only in the Gospel of Matthew.  Without exception, it is used in reference to the glorious Kingdom Age during which Christ will reign and rule as King of kings, with absolute authority.  Not only did Christ come to Israel, collectively, as their King; but also, individually, as their Saviour, as Matthew 1:21 states…

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: FOR HE SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS.”

When the angel appeared to the shepherds at the birth of Christ, he told them Christ was their Saviour, personally.  In other words, each one, individually, was responsible for accepting Christ as his Saviour.

“For unto you (the shepherds) is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

Yes, He came as King to the nation of Israel; also, as a Saviour to each individual Jew which composed that nation.  John the Baptist was preparing the way by introducing Christ as Israel’s Messiah, while the Apostles would continue preparing the way to the cross by their message and miracles.

“…Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.  And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

John’s message was to lead individuals to Christ, and his baptism was to identify saved individuals, publicly, as a testimony of their faith.  Mark makes this comment about John in Mark 1:4…

“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”

“Repentance” here is the Greek “METANOIA” and makes “a change of mind for the remission of sins.”  One may ask, “what sins?”  These are the sins resulting from the sin nature every person is born with, which manifest themselves as we grow up.  We do not become a sinner when we sin; to the contrary–we sin because we are born a sinner.  Romans 5:12 clarifies this…

“Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon ALL men, for that ALL have sinned.”

Religion’s way of remitting sins is to attempt justification of one’s self by self righteousness.  The Jewish Pharisees were just such a group.  Christ, in addressing them, stated in Luke 16:15…

“And he said unto them, Ye are they which JUSTIFY YOURSELVES before men…”

One either becomes their “own Saviour” by attempting self justification; or they accept God’s Saviour, which is Christ.  Those Jews, who believed John’s preaching, changed their mind (repented) about their own righteousness and accepted Christ as their Saviour.  Then, John baptized them as evidence of their faith and changed mind.  A paraphrase of Mark 1:4 would read this way…

“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preached that they should change their mind and accept Christ, for the remission of sins, then identify their faith, publicly, by water baptism.”

Should we not allow the Holy Spirit to direct us as he did John the Baptist?  John proclaimed Christ as Saviour in preparing the way to the cross.  Our responsibility is the same as we prepare the way of the Lord toward His return at the Rapture, by our witnessing.

3. Christ’s Baptism with the Holy Spirit and with Fire. (Matthew 3:11,12; Luke 3:16,17.  Mark and John record only the Baptizing with the Holy Spirit).

It is interesting to note the differences in the accounts given by Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John concerning John the Baptist.  When John preached, there was a multitude of sincere people who came trusting Christ and were baptized.  On the other hand, there were the self righteous who came, known as the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  Their purpose for coming was not that of sincerity, but to mock and cause trouble.  They were claiming Abraham as their father, not Christ, and John knew them well when he addressed them in Matthew 3:9…

“And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to (as) our father…”

He addressed the true character of this group; even though “veneered” by religious attire, he called them “vipers”!

“But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of VIPERS, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” (Matthew 3:7)

When addressing those present as “vipers,” he also made mention that they would be judged by the Christ they rejected.  This is the “baptism of fire” spoken of in Matthew 3:11…

“…he (Christ) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.”

In Mark we have no record of these “vipers,” only those who came in sincerity (Mark 1:5); therefore no mention of judgment (baptism with fire), only the baptism of the Holy Spirit…

“I indeed have baptized you with water: but he (Christ) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.”

The same is true with the account of Luke and John.  In Luke we have the mention of “vipers” (3:7); therefore, both baptism are mentioned, that of the Holy Spirit and that of fire (judgment).  John records no “vipers”; therefore, no baptism of fire, only that of the Holy Spirit (John 1:33).

4. Christ’s Baptism with the Holy Spirit.

John the Baptist was the first to mention anything about Christ baptizing with the Holy Spirit.  This would be elaborated upon later by our Lord, Himself, as the Gospels bare record.  John also spoke of many other things to the people, in preparing the way of the Lord, which are not recorded.  Later in Christ’s ministry, He would reveal more fully these great truths that John had briefly touched on, by way of introduction.  After John had just spoken of the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire, it is recorded in Luke 3:18 that…

“And many other things in his (John the Baptist’s) exhortation preached he unto the people.”

It is imperative to understand the difference between the working of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and that of the New Testament.  It is equally important to realize that the Gospels are, basically, Old Testament Books; only after the resurrection are we on new Testament ground.  Under the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit never permanently indwelt believers.  Christ, in His ministry, revealed a new working of the Holy Spirit which was to be manifested after His return to Glory.  In preparing His disciples for the cross, He assures them that He will not leave them comfortless…

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another (Gr. ALLOS, “another like Himself”) Comforter, that he (the Holy Spirit) may abide with you FOREVER; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth WITH YOU, and shall be IN YOU.” (John 14:16,17)

Christ is telling them that the Holy Spirit within them would take the place of the Saviour beside them.  He then informs His disciples as to the general time the Holy Spirit would come as promised, this being after His ascension to Heaven…

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I DEPART, I will send him unto you.”

Until the cross, they knew only the general time that the Holy Spirit would come in fulfillment of His promise.  It was not until after Christ’s resurrection and His forty days walk with them (Acts 1:3), that He then told the Apostles the more specific time of the Holy Ghost’s coming…

“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father (Coming of the Holy Spirit), which, saith he, ye have heard of me.  For John truly baptized with (in) water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (Acts 1:4,5)

This was to be fulfilled in 10 days, on the Day of Pentecost, which ushered in a new dispensation under the New Covenant made on Calvary.  The Holy Spirit would now indwell believers, permanently, throughout the Church Age.  Every believer would also be baptized, spiritually, into the body of Christ (1st Corinthians 12:13).  We believe Pentecost was the “birthday” of the Church Age which fulfilled Christ’s promise of the Holy Spirit’s coming.  This is evidenced by Acts 2:1,2 where the fulfillment of the Holy Spirit’s coming is recorded…

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind (Gr. PNEUMA, “Spirit”), and it filled all the house where they were sitting.”

The initial fulfillment of Christ’s baptizing with the Holy Spirit became a reality on the Day of Pentecost.  Each believer has been added to the spiritual Body of Christ ever since.  When a person comes to Christ, they are indwelt permanently with the Holy Spirit and baptized into His Body.

“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 (partake of) one Spirit.” (1st Corinthians 12:13).

5. Christ’s Baptism with Fire. (Matthew 3:11,12; also Matthew 13:24-30).

“…he (Christ) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and WITH FIRE: Whose fan is in his hand, and he (Christ) will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

The “baptism of fire” in Verse 11 is explained in Verse 12.  The “wheat” is in reference to the saved as the “chaff” is speaking to the lost.  The “garner” is the storehouse and is in reference to God’s kingdom.  Christ will render this judgment when he returns at the end of the 7-Year Tribulation Period to institute the glorious Kingdom Age for 1,000 years.  The word “baptism” in Verse 11 is the Greek “BAPTIZO,” which means “identification” and “to dip or immerse.”  It is used metaphorically of divine judgment upon the lost for rejecting Christ as Saviour.  This is the same as the judgment of the nations where Christ will identify the saved and immerse the lost in fire.  Christ illustrated this judgment just prior to the cross.  Here is the record in Matthew 25:31,32…

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him (Christ) shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats.”

To the saved, “the wheat,” will echo the sweetest words they have heard in this life, spoken by the Lord, Himself, in Verse 34…

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, INHERIT THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.”

To the lost, “the chaff,” the Lord will proclaim the most devastating words they have ever encountered in their life.  These have been separated from the saved and placed on the left hand as He pronounces their judgment in Verse 41…

“Then shall he (Christ) say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, INTO EVERLASTING FIRE, PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS.”

Yes, these have rejected Christ as their Saviour, while on the earth; now, our Lord honors their decision by rejecting them for all eternity.  Also speaking of this same judgment, are the words of our Lord in Matthew 24: 40,41…

“Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”

It should be noted that these two Verse are NOT speaking of the Rapture of the Church, which takes place 7 years earlier.  In fact, just the opposite of the Rapture takes place here.  May we point out that, at the Rapture, the saved are taken (1st Thessalonians 4:17) and the lost are left to begin the Tribulation judgment. Here in Matthew, at the judgment of the Nations, the lost are taken into judgment while the saved are left to enter the Kingdom. Remember, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John knew nothing about the Rapture of the Church.  This was a mystery revealed later to the Apostle Paul (1st Corinthians 15:51,52).  Every mention of Christ’s Second Coming, in the Gospels, is in reference to His judgment and setting up of the Kingdom at the end of the Tribulation Period. This is what is spoken of by John the Baptist, when he declares Christ’s baptism by fire.

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Dr. Max D. Younce, Pastor

HERITAGE BAPTIST BIBLE CHURCH
P.O. Box 573
Walnut Grove, MN 56180
Telephone (507) 859-2519

Web: www.heritagebbc.com

A Biblical Examination of Baptism

A Biblical Examination of Baptism

By Dr. Max D. Younce, Pastor

HERITAGE BAPTIST BIBLE CHURCH
P.O. Box 573| Walnut Grove, MN 56180 | Telephone (507) 859-2519

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Baptism for Salvation (Examining Verses Used to Support this Theory)

1. Acts 2:38

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins …”

This is one of the favorite passages used by the “Campbellites,” or Church of Christ, (also, Lutherans and Catholics) to endorse water baptism for salvation.  The key to getting the proper understanding of this Verse is found in the little Greek word “EIS” translated “for.”  The Greek “EIS” is translated various ways in the New Testament, depending on the context and the usage of the word itself, by demonstrating basis, ground, aim, or purpose.

For example, in 1st Corinthians 2:7 “EIS DOXAN HEMON” is translated “unto our glory” (KJV).  In the RSV, it is translated “for our glory.”  It is translated thus in demonstrating aim or purpose, that being, our glory.  In Matthew 12:41, “EIS” is translated “at,” demonstrating the basis or grounds, that being the preaching of Jonah was the grounds for the repentance of Nineveh, “…because they repented at (or ‘because of’) the preaching of Jonas.”

A.T. Robertson, a well-known Greek scholar, has pointed out that the “Greek preposition ‘EIS’, translated ‘for’ in the phrase ‘for the remission of sin,’ may also mean ‘because of.’  An example of this can be found in Luke 11:32, where the text says that the people of Nineveh ‘…repented at the preaching of Jonas…’ The word ‘at’ is a translation of the same Greek term ‘EIS’ found in Acts 2:38.  The people of Jonah’s day, you see, did not repent for his preaching; but, because of it.”

Dr. John R. Rice, a worthy scholar, agrees with this translation of “EIS.”  For a complete quote on this subject from his book, “Filled With The Spirit, The Book of Acts,” please see Appendix A on page iv of the Index to Scriptures.

With this in mind, let us return to acts 2:38 where the Greek “EIS” is translated “for” in the KJV and “unto” in the RSV.  In these instances, the Greek “EIS” would be incorrectly translated “for” and “unto.” The correct translation would be “BECAUSE OF,” a more accurate rendering.  Therefore, in Acts 2:28, “EIS” is showing the “basis or grounds” for baptism, that being their remission of sins BECAUSE of their belief in Jesus Christ.  This would then be in perfect agreement with all other Scripture concerning salvation.  Here is how the Verse would read in its proper translation,

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ (EIS) BECAUSE OF the remission of sins.”

In other words, “repent” or “change your mind” about the Christ you crucified with the wicked hands (hands of unbelief – Acts 2:23) and receive Him as your Saviour; then be baptized, thus publicly identifying yourself with Him in profession of your faith.

It would be contradictory of Peter to proclaim salvation in Christ only; then state you have to be baptized to be saved.  Notice Peter’s words in Acts 4:12:

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Was it not peter who stated in Acts 2:21:

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the NAME of the Lord shall be saved.”

He did not instruct them to call upon baptism to save them!  Peter had instructed these Jews to be baptized AFTER they were saved, not only as a testimony to other, but also of having a good conscience within themselves by being obedient to the Lord.  Peter, later, expressed this in his first epistle, Chapter 3, Verse 21:

“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, (NOT THE PUTTING AWAY OF THE FILTH OF THE FLESH (i.e. our sins) but the answer of a GOOD CONSCIENCE toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ?”

What does baptism save us from?  A guilty conscience before our Lord in not refusing to be publicly identified with Him by water baptism.  How wonderful for the child of God to always be able to proclaim,

“For I am NOT ASHAMED of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

2. Acts 22:16

“And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

If a person were to open their Bible and read this one Verse, one could only conclude that baptism was essential for salvation.  Should a person desire to prove that the Bible says “There is no God,” one could locate such a statement; BUT, should one desire the truth of what God has said, the whole Verse or context should be read.  In this case, Psalm 53:1 reveals something to the contrary of just reading one line from the Verse.

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.  Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.”

How important it is to examine the context, which will always reveal the truth of a subject to the person who will be honest with himself.

The subject matter in question, of which Verse 16 is a part, begins back in Acts 21:15 where Paul goes to Jerusalem.  It is here in the Temple that the people apprehended Paul …

“And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.” (Acts 21:30)

Paul was not in the inner sanctuary (ho naos), but only in the outer court (to hieron).  They were beating Paul when he was saved by the chief captain and soldiers (21:32).  As they were leading him to the barracks of the Roman soldiers (”castle” 21:37), Paul asked the chief captain for permission to speak to the people (21:39, 40).  His testimony is recorded in Chapter 22:1-21 (The same account is recorded by Dr. Luke in Chapter 9, with more details.)

Prior to Ananias’ instructing Paul to be baptized, we find that Paul was already saved.  As Paul was approaching Damascus, the Lord intervened and challenged Paul with these words…

“Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me … I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest … And I (Paul) said, what shall I do, Lord?”

Paul’s salvation is evidenced by his acknowledgment of Christ as his Lord, or Saviour (22:7,8,10).  It should also be noticed that Ananias called Saul a BROTHER in 22:13.

(Ananias) “Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, BROTHER Saul, receive thy sight.  And the same hour I looked up upon him.”

Only the saved are spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ, and such was Saul.  Since Paul was already saved and addressed as a brother in Christ by Ananias, what did Ananias mean by telling Paul to be “baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Verse 16)?  One must remember there is a judicial justification and a practical justification of sin.  When Paul was saved, he received remission for all his sins, judicially, i.e., the cross bore the eternal payment for Paul’s sins.

“Being justified (declared absolutely righteous) freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (payment) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” (Romans 3:24, 25)

Ananias was instructing Saul as to how to deal with his past sins practically and publicly.  Every Jew and Gentile knew of Paul’s commitment and reputation concerning his persecution of Christians.

“And Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord…” (Acts 9:1)

“…I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee (Christ): and when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.” (Acts 22:19, 20)

Now that Paul is a Christian, his public profession of Christ is of the utmost importance.  His baptism would be a public testimony of his faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  With his baptism, he was now publicly identifying himself with those Christians he once persecuted.  The sins Paul was going to wash away were his acts of persecution against Christians, prior to being saved.  Judicially, Paul’s sins were judged on Calvary, now they would be “washed away” PUBLICLY in the eyes of the Christians who knew of his conversion (made public by his baptism).  You can rest assured, Paul gave his testimony at his baptism by calling on the name of the Lord.  The sins of Paul’s persecutions against Christians would never be repeated again!  His PUBLIC profession, from time on, “washed away” any doubt of those sins ever being repeated.

God had taken a murderer and made him a missionary, turned a persecutor into a preacher, and used him to write 14 of the 27 Books of the New Testament.  Yes, judicially, Paul’s sins were accounted “paid in full” at the cross; PUBLICLY, they were “washed away” as there remained no doubt in people’s minds as to where he stood, remaining faithful to his Lord, until his death.

3. John 3:5

“Jesus answered, Verily, Verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of Water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Those who endorse water baptism for salvation, refer to the word “water” in this Verse and claim it is speaking of water baptism.  The problem that first arises is, the word “baptism” is never mentioned in this Chapter.  You see, one must always ADD to God’s Word to create a doctrine that is foreign to the mind, purpose and will of God.

Now, let us examine the context and other Scriptures which will shed the light and give us the proper meaning and interpretation of this Verse.  Notice that Verse 5 corresponds with Verse 3, the end result being the same, that of seeing the Kingdom of God (Vs. 3) and entering the Kingdom of God (Vs. 5).

“…Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)

“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

In these Verses we see that the end result is the same, and so is the causative action.  Therefore, “born again” means exactly the same as “born of water and the Spirit,” only phrased differently.  Christ made it perfectly clear that our first birth will never fit us for eternal life, and is recorded in Verse 6…

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh…”

So corrupt was our first birth, that God never tries to remake it, repair it of reuse it.  That is why our earthly bodies will never enter the glories of Heaven.  Paul made this clear in I Corinthians 15:50,

“…Now this I say, brethren, that FLESH AND BLOOD cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth CORRUPTION inherit incorruption.”

In other words, no amount of good works, promises, resolutions, water baptism, church membership, or any human efforts of SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS will ever merit eternal life.  That which is “born of the flesh” is still flesh, no matter how it is dressed up with religious attire; it will always fall short of God’s righteousness (Romans 3:23).

You can take a car, fix all the dents, patch all the rust, put “mag” wheels on it and paint it with the finest lacquer there is; BUT, if it doesn’t have a motor (the new birth), it’s not going anywhere!  I have preached hundreds of funerals, and every person in that casket was dressed in fine attire, but they were all still dead!  No matter how you dress up this old nature with religious garments, God Has concluded…

“There is none righteous, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10)

Therefore, a new birth–a spiritual birth–is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God.  This is called “born again” (or “born from above”), or “born of the water and the Spirit.”  This same phrase or wording is used in 1st Peter 1:23…

“…Being born again, not of corruptible seed (first birth), but of incorruptible, by the WORD of God, which liveth and abideth forever.”

It is the Word of God that embodies the truth and the Holy Spirit which convicts a person of that truth (John 16:7,8).  Since we are “born again” by the WORD of God in 1st Peter 1:23, it can only be that the word “water” used in John 3:5 is used metaphorically of “the word” and water baptism is not what is being conveyed here.

In John 15:3 we can see that cleansing is used in connection with the Word of God,

“…Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.”

Paul, in speaking of the of the Body of Christ, uses “water” in reference to the Word of God in Ephesians 5:26,

“…That he (Christ) might sanctify and cleanse it (the Church) with the washing of water by the word.”

You see, water for cleansing, pictures the Word of God; and water for drinking, pictures the Holy Spirit of God…

“…He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified).” (John 7:38,39.  See also, John 4:14)

Christ makes it perfectly clear what He means by “being born again” while still speaking to Nicodemus.  Here is the record, given by our Lord, Himself, in John 3:14-16, and 18…

“…And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life … He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

“So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

No one is ever saved by water baptism; it is the blood of Christ shed on Calvary’s cross which provides salvation, and faith on the believers part which activates that salvation for eternal life.

4. Galatians 3:27

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

This is one of the ‘Sugar Daddy” Verses used by the proponents of endorsing salvation by water baptism.  All one has to do is read Chapter 3 completely, as the entire Chapter is presenting “salvation by faith, alone,” as contrasted to the “works of the law.”  Baptism is a work–defined as such–because they are trusting in that human effort of righteousness to be saved.  In examining the surrounding Verses, it becomes evident that Verse 27 is speaking of spiritual baptism, and not water baptism.  When we place our faith in Christ, we are spiritually baptized into His Body.

“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.” (1st Corinthians 12:13)

Notice that Paul used the same language in Galatians in reference to spiritual baptism as he does in 1st Corinthians…

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus (i.e., the Body of Christ).” ( Galatians 3:27,28 )

If this was water baptism that placed us into the Body of Christ in Galatians 3:27, then it would also have to be water baptism in 1st Corinthians 12:13–which it is not–as the Verse clearly states! Paul would have contradicted himself in Verse 27, if this is water baptism for salvation.  In Verse 24, Paul said we are justified by FAITH, alone.

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be JUSTIFIED BY FAITH.” (See also Romans 5:1)

In Verse 26, Paul says we become a child of God by faith, not baptism…

“…For ye are all the children of God by FAITH in Christ Jesus.” (See also John 1:12)

Then in Verse 29, Paul asserts that we are heirs according to God’s promise–not man’s baptism!

“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and HEIRS ACCORDING TO PROMISE (not baptism).”

Since all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God (2nd Timothy 3:16), then Scripture cannot contradict itself.  Paul would not have told the Ephesians they were saved ‘by grace through faith,” and then tell the Galatians they were saved by water baptism.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)

Conclusion: Galatians 3:27 is spiritual baptism, not water baptism.

5. Mark 16:15,16

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.  But he that believeth not shall be damned.”

At one’s first reading, “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” would seem contradictory to the multiplicity of Verses which say we are saved by believing only.  For example, 1st John 5:13 states authoritatively that a person can know with absolute certainty that they possess eternal life, yet there is no mention of water baptism.

“These things have I written unto you THAT BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

Peter states it is not water baptism or any human effort that redeems a person, but only the blood of Christ.

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (1st peter 1:18,19)

One should take the time to check his concordance and read all the Verses that promise eternal life by faith and belief ONLY.  The gospel of John, where belief and faith are mentioned over 100 times, would be a good place to start.  Here is just a couple:

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:36)

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” (John 6:47)

Comparing these Verses with Mark 16:16, there either has to be an explanation or we definitely have a contradiction between Peter, Mark, and John!  May I draw your attention to the last phrase in Mark 16:16, “…He that believeth not shall be damned.”

It does not say,

“…He that believeth not (and is not baptized) shall be damned.”

Only those who “believe not” shall be damned–in perfect accordance with John’s statement in John 3:18…

“…He that believeth on him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

Both Mark 16:16 and John 3:18 state that a person is condemned if they do not believe; but nothing is said about being condemned if one is not baptized.  All Scriptures agree to this conclusion.  Since we are not condemned for not being baptized, then what does the opposite mean when Mark says “He that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved”?

It is easy to understand this Verse when the child of God realizes there are TWO who recognize that he is justified as being saved.  The “believing” in Mark 16:16 justifies the person in the eyes of God as being saved; this is our position in God’s eyes, our salvation by belief or faith.  Their public baptism is their testimony, justifying them as being saved in the EYES OF MAN.  The lost will not recognize and justify a person as being a child of God, unless he hears the testimony AND sees the works compatible to a Christian.  Baptism declares,

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation.”

This identification is justification in man’s eyes that I am saved.  “Believeth” in Mark 16:16 is to the Book of Romans what baptism is to the Book of James.  Romans 4:5 says,“…But to them that worketh not, but BELIEVETH on him that justifieth the ungodly, his FAITH is counted for righteousness (justification in God’s eyes).”

Notice James 2:17, 18 where man cannot see our faith, unless it is outwardly evidenced.

“Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead (in man’s eyes), being alone. Yea, a man may say, thou hast faith and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works (justification in man’s eyes).”

Therefore, “he that believeth” justifies me in God’s eyes as being saved, AND my baptism justifies me as being saved in man’s eyes.

“Believeth” is my position before God, whereas baptism is my walk and testimony before men.

6. 1st Peter 3:20,21

“when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by (through) water.  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh [i.e. our sins], but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

Several years ago, my wife and I were listening to the car radio, having just tuned into a religious broadcast.  After a few minutes, the minister quoted one sentence from Verse 21, that being “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us”–period!  He did not finish the Verse, but went on to explain, at great length, the necessity of baptism for salvation.  Again, I cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of reading all of a Verse, including the surrounding text, to receive the correct interpretation and meaning.  In 2nd Timothy 2:15 we are instructed to “rightly” divide the word of truth,” NOT “rightly chop up the word of truth”!

Since Verse 21 begins with “the like figure,” it is referring to that which is set forth in Verse 20.  It should be noticed that in Verse 20, the “eight souls that were saved by water” should be translated “saved through water”; NOT, “by water.”  The eight were saved from the flood waters by being in the ark–a type of Christ. They were not saved by the water for it was that which destroyed!  Therefore, “the like figure” is figurative of the ark of Christ which provided absolute safety from the flood waters of death.  The flood waters testify of death and the ark, of resurrection.  Notice Genesis 8:4,

“…And the ark rested in the seventh month on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.”

It is not by chance that the ark (type of Christ) rested on the mountain on the 7th month of the 17th day. Centuries later, God changed the calendar.  Noah’s calendar was in effect until the emancipation of Israel from Egypt and God then instituted their religious calendar.  The first month of Israel’s religious calendar was the same as the 7th month of Noah’s secular calendar, or our April.  The Jewish Passover, representing Christ’s death, was on the 14th day (Leviticus 23:4, 5); therefore, Christ was resurrected three days later on the 17th, the same day the ark rested on the mountains of Ararat, showing resurrection.

Conclusion: baptism does not save us; but, identifies us publicly, showing our faith is in the death, and resurrection  of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus.

Returning to 1st Peter 3:21 where the phrase “baptism doth also now save us” is explained within the Verse, itself.  Here we have the “negative” and the “positive.”  The “negative” tells us what baptism does not save us from.  Here is the record…

“…not the putting away of the filth of the flesh (i.e. our sins).”

Now the “positive” telling us what baptism does save us from, that being a GUILTY CONSCIENCE before God. Again, the record…

“…but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

How simple the Scriptures are when we are willing to accept God’s Word as our Authority.  A child of God is saved by faith alone (Ephesians 2:8,9), but will be void of a good, clear conscience until they are willing to be identified with Christ by their public baptism.

“Go ye therefore, and teach (i.e. make disciples of) all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 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.” (Matthew 28:19,20)

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Dr. Max D. Younce, Pastor

HERITAGE BAPTIST BIBLE CHURCH
P.O. Box 573
Walnut Grove, MN 56180
Telephone (507) 859-2519

Web: www.heritagebbc.com