Baptism
Revised April 5, 08
How do we get the Holy Spirit?
Over time, as in most studies, my ideas on Baptism have changed a little, but I cant say they have changed a lot. I would like to start out for a change assuming that the reader of this page is familiar with the subject of baptism at least on a medium level of understanding. For those readers who are not, Please start out by Asking a Question about Baptism.
There are general acceptances concerning baptism, and there are a few pieces of the puzzle where people sit on complete opposite sides of the fence. As usual, I think we will find the Truth somewhere mid-way from the extremist positions. And in keeping the tones of this website in general, we will list EVERY scripture found in the Bible on the issue.
First, we should know John the Baptist is not the introducer of baptism into the world. Nor Christ or His apostles. Water baptism has been around as long as man has been recording his existence. Old Testament Doctrine is not my strongpoint. And certainly not interpreting original Hebrew text. But I will do my best
“Water is the element naturally used for cleansing the body and its symbolical use entered into almost every cult, and into none more completely than the Jewish, whose ceremonial washings were proverbial” (“Baptism”, International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Vol 1, page 418).
The Dead Sea Scrolls also depict the baptism ritual as something practised by much of Jewry at that time. To this day Jews practice baptism for both male and female converts who immerse themselves in a ritual bath (Jewish Literacy by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, 1991, page 625).
Pre-Christian Baptism
Pre-Christian baptism is in almost every cult and other religion and can also be found in the Old Testament. Israel through the Red Sea was likened to a baptism by Paul (ICor 10:1-2). And in the crossing of the Jordan River- a type of entering the Kingdom of God (Joshua 3:15-17; IICor 10:4).
In the Wilderness, , the Levites were cleansed by sprinkling of water – a type of baptism – to purify them in preparation for service to God and man (Num 8:6-7,11,21). Similarly Christians must be cleansed and sanctified by water (Heb 10:22; IICor 7:1; ?).
Also, the Levites had to be washed in water in Ex 29:4 “one of the ceremonial washings referred to in Heb. 6.2, and rendered “baptisms”. Christians have been baptised and must be ‘baptised’ by the washing of the spirit each and every day until they die (ICor 6:11; IICor 7:1; Eph 5:25-26). And by connecting Titus 3:5 with IICor 4: 16 and Eph 4:22-24 we can see that we must be washed clean each day by the water and the blood. This (I believe) is most completely explained in 1John 1:9- which is what I believe Christian are missing the most in the world today-myself included.
Other washing rituals may be found in Lev 14:9; Num 19:18 which are not unlike types of Christian cleansing and purification at baptism. As we see that there are several examples of baptism in the Old Testament I think we should notice that although New-Testament baptism compared to circumcision, they happened and were taught right along side of each other in the Old Testament. It is a common misconception that baptism replaced circumcision. Quite obviously women could not be circumcised, so I wonder what the relationship is there in the idea of replacement.
We also have New Testament references to Old Testament baptisms along with comparisons to circumcision which solidify the facts.
The point up until now is simply that this 'sign' did not come out of nowhere. No one was confused by John crying out for them to be cleansed. No one said, "what is the meaning of this ceremonial cleansing, this baptism?" Even the pagans practiced baptism. John was preaching a NEW baptism...
John the Baptist...
John's existence was no accident. He was part of the fulfilled
prophecy of the coming Messiah. (Isa 40:3 The voice of him that
crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make
straight in the desert a highway for our God.) Christ Himself
said that John fulfilled prophecy (Mt 11:14 And if ye will
receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.) John was
given his name before he was conceived (Lu 1:13 But the angel
said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and
thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call
his name John...Lu 1:57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she
should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.)
Although John's role seems small, his calling was one of the greatest (Lu 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; Mt 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.)
But his preaching was short-lived because he soon was
over-shadowed by the Creator of the world (Mt 3:1 In those days
came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, Mt
3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be
baptized of him. Joh 1:15 John bare witness of him, and cried,
saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is
preferred before me: for he was before me.) But of course his
purpose had been served once he baptized Christ. Perhaps a good
example that un-baptized believers might wait to go out to
fulfil their purpose yet. This NEW baptism had been his purpose
and message. So I want to do something I have never done, which
is look at the characteristics of John the Baptist in order to
further understand the baptism of John. At the moment, this is
just as new to me as it is to the reader, so I may in the near
future revamp this next section. But it seems that the
characteristics of John are quite similar to that which the
believer is to receive from the Holy Spirit...
Self Denial
Mt 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a
leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and
wild honey.
Courage
Mt 3:7 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?
Mt 14:4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to
have her.
Obedience
Mt 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so
now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then
he suffered him.
Powerful preaching
Mr 1:5 And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and
they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of
Jordan, confessing their sins.
Humility
Mr 1:7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I
after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop
down and unloose.
Joh 1:19-23 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent
priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? And
he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the
Christ. And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he
saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.
Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an
answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He
said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make
straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.
Holiness
Mr 6:20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man
and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did
many things, and heard him gladly.
Burning zeal
Joh 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were
willing for a season to rejoice in his light. John knew a Truth.
as stated in other parts of this site, knowing Truth not only
gives the beholder a sense of responsibility, but also a sense
of urgency. You can tell just by looking and listening that
'This person really believes what they are saying'. It is
obvious that the information shared has value in the opinion of
the person talking.
These and many others are actually examples of what it looks
like to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
John was honored by Christ just as our baptism is honored by
Christ. Mt 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born
of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:
notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is
greater than he.
Lu 7:24-27 And when the messengers of John were departed, he
began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out
into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind? But
what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment?
Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live
delicately, are in kings' courts. But what went ye out for to
see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a
prophet. This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my
messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before
thee.
He also performed no miracles. Nor does baptism give us any
power to perform signs or wonders or miracles of healing. (Joh
10:41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle:
but all things that John spake of this man were true). John the
Baptist was no Apostle. We have no record that he ever did
anything miraculous as the Apostles and Christ did. He did not
speak in tongues, teach doctrines of men. He only taught
repentance that leads to salvation through faith alone in
Christ. Our baptism as well should reflect this idea.
John came before Christ, we as well should come before
Christ in witnessing, to be heralds of Christ in humility,
making straight the path to people’s hearts so that Christ can
be welcomed. (Mal 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he
shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek,
shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the
covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the
LORD of hosts.
Mt 11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send
my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before
thee.
Lu 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of
Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and
the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a
people prepared for the Lord.
John's Testimony Concerning Christ I think is very
pertinent here to the subject of baptism. After Christ left, he
gave us the comforting Spirit who testifies not of Himself, but
of Christ. Before Christ began, he gave us John the Baptist who
testified not of Himself, but of Christ. John testifies of the
power in believing what was to come. The Spirit, what HAS come,
who testified not of Himself, but of Christ. John prepared the
way BEFORE Him-the Spirit AFTER Him. Look at the following
verses of John's testimony and change the words as if it were
past tense, as if the Holy Spirit were talking not John...
Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and
saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the
world.
Joh 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold
the Lamb of God!
Joh 3:28-36 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not
the Christ, but that I am sent before him. He that hath the
bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which
standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the
bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must
increase, but I must decrease. He that cometh from above is
above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of
the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he
hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth
his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to
his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh
the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto
him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into
his hand. 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.
Christian Baptism...
Alright. We have looked at baptism before the Old
Testament, IN the Old Testament, as well as its introduction
INTO the New Testament by Christ and John. Now let us venture
further into the Gospels and Epistles before we tackle the Early
patristic commentaries on baptism.
After John's baptism Christ puts no more importance on baptism. Rather he travels teaching of invisible Truths and ideas that seemingly contradict the type of physical symbol, ritualistic water baptism. He scolds Pharisee after Pharisee for their lack of Spiritual understanding and their emphasis on the physical aspect of Religion. Have we once again returned to the same type of religion that Jesus condemned?
If water baptism seemingly contradicts the teachings of Christ,
why then does He send the Apostles out into the world baptizing?
(Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost:).
Christ says in Mr 16:16 'He that believeth and is baptized
shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned',
which perfectly explains and matches His command for the
Apostles to teach and baptize. Baptism is only for believers who
believe what is taught by the Apostles. People who don't believe
are not to be baptized. There are other scriptures affirming
this fact (Ac 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus. Ac 2:41 Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized: and the same day there were
added unto them about three thousand souls. Ac 22:16 And now why
tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins,
calling on the name of the Lord.) So we see not only did Christ
Himself institute and endorse baptism for believers, but we see
why He commanded the Apostles to go out to the entire world
teaching and baptizing. Up to this point, the history and
Doctrine of baptism seems pretty simple.
Looking deeper into Baptism scriptures, there are a few that
aren't quite as cut and dry once we reach this point in our
investigation.
Chronologically, the first scripture we come to is 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.) There are at least four ways to interpret this
scripture that I am aware of. Perhaps more that I am not. We
will go deep into this one later.
Ac 2:38 is another one that we must look at closely. “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”. Here we have an example of a parenthetic phrase within a sentence. In the original Greek, we have a verb-conflict. Here ‘be baptized’ is singular, which changes the way it should be translated…
The verse in
king James with verb number (singular or plural)...
Then Peter [said] to them, " Repentpl, and
be baptizedsing each onesing
of youpl in the name of Jesus Christ for
the remission of your sins, and youpl shall
receivepl the gift of the Holy Spirit."
The proposed translation to accent the meaning…
Then Peter [said] to them, "Repentpl, and youpl shall receivepl the gift of the Holy Spirit, (and be baptizedsing each onesing of youpl in the name of Jesus Christ because of the remission of your sins)"
It is also widely accepted that “for the remission of sins” is accurately translated “because of the remission of sins”. Where the preposition Eis, and the way it is translated dramatically changes baptism’s role in salvation. In other words, the answer of a good conscience- because Christ did what he did, you answer in obedience, and get baptized.
And if you turn the page we find something that agrees with the explanation. Ac 3:19 says, “Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out”. No mention of baptism being necessary for the remission of sins. If you put these two scriptures together, we find that repentance brings the remission of sins. Let’s look at what Romans 3:21-26 says about repentance...
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
We see here that remission of sins is brought through faith,
which we will also see is synonymous with repentance in light of
the ‘point’ of salvation. And that the one and only scripture
that seems to say baptism removes sin is easily cleared up by
looking at the original.
Yet in another place in acts though we need to clear up
something else. Ac 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized
in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain
days. So we have here yet another mode of baptism concerning
names. How are we to be baptized- in the name of the Lord, the
name of Jesus or the name of the Father Son and Spirit?
What is the ‘Significance’ of Baptism
Ro 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into
Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
1Co 12:13 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.
Ga 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ
have put on Christ.
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen
with him through the faith of the operation of God, who
hath raised him from the dead.
1Pe 3:21 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:
Questions about baptism...
...what do these scriptures tell us about its significance?
That we are literally, physically dead, buried and resurrected with Christ? If that is the case, why do we not actually cover ourselves in dirt as some cults do? Why do we not convert people by making them sit in a tomb for three days? Why do we use the water to REPRESENT something that is so easily replicated? Why do we baptize people in bathtubs when every scriptural example is in natural water?
It is NOT my intention in this writing to sway anyone in any direction. Rather it is to ensure the reader has asked all the questions and looked at all the scriptures before making any assumptions or coming to any conclusions. Too often we base our opinion on someone else’s opinion. Let us look deeper at our example in the Bible of Baptism.
Examples of Baptism...
Believers at Pentecost
Here we have a very unique baptism. One exclusively for the 12
Apostles, however that does not mean that other baptism could
have similar accompaniments. Here we have the only explanation
of tongues and baptism- what it looked and sounded like.
Converts in Samaria
Ac 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things
concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ,
they were baptized, both men and women.
The Ethiopian Eunuch
Ac 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they
went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and
he baptized him.
Saul of Tarsus
Ac 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been
scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was
baptized.
Lydia of Thyatira
Ac 16:15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she
besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the
Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained
us.
Philippian Jailer and Household
Ac 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed
their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Believers in Corinth
Ac 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.
Of Christ...
Mt 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to
be baptized of him.
Mr 1:9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from
Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
Lu 3:21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass,
that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was
opened,
Administered by John the Baptist...
Mt 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their
sins.
Mt 21:25 The baptism of John, whence was it, from heaven, or of
men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say,
From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe
him?
Mr 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the
baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Lu 3:12 Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto
him, Master, what shall we do?
Lu 7:29 And all the people that heard him, and the publicans,
justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
Joh 1:26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but
there standeth one among you, whom ye know not;
Joh 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim,
because there was much water there: and they came, and were
baptized.
Ac 10:37 That word, I say, ye know, which was published
throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism
which John preached;
Ac 13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the
baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
Ac 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized?
And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Early Patristic writing on Baptism…
We can learn an awful lot from the earliest writings and
commentary on Christianity before hundreds of years of man's
confusion on the matters. However, I always keep in mind that
early church fathers are not infallible. They don’t all agree
and they are part of the reason I am protestant. So at best we
look at the majority opinion. But I believe earliest church
writings are some of the best extra-biblical sources of info. I
also realize that heretical, Gnostic ideas were here WITH even
the apostles. So the amount of time that has past is really no
benchmark for the amount of false doctrine being taught. And I
would say that we now have THE Apostle’s Doctrine in the Bible,
the ultimate Authority, I am sure you agree.
Justin Martyr for example believed that the Baptism actually washed away sins. But are we to believe everything we have from him? Certainly not, especially things he said of the Virgin Mary. So just because someone is as famous as Origin, doesn't mean that he knows any more about the Bible than we do. I also think that patristic writings, since they were so close the original teachings of apostles, lack a certain depth.
If someone immediately tells me to believe and be baptized, I don’t soon start investigating the depths and reasoning thereof. I simply believe and am baptized and I have a basic understanding of the washing away of sins. In such a powerful time in history, evidenced by such a power of the apostles, when they say ‘be baptized to wash away your sins’, then that is what I would teach. But throughout history man has become more questioning, needing to know why and how and at what point. In fact, it wasn't until the third century that Christians began to question that lengthy discussions about baptism emerged. Until then most every believer was immediately baptized upon believing. Few early church leaders understood that, just as we nurture and lead our children to faith, we need to bring new converts to a point of understanding-of God consciousness. We have hundreds of men since then, like the earliest translators who have dug out the deepest meanings of Scripture. And over a period of almost 2000 years, a deeper understanding of God has emerged. Who He is and how He works, His character. And even what baptism really is.
Although God’s message never changes, our understanding of Doctrine has evolved. Early patristic writers had no more devotion than you and I do today. And we have much more resources for discerning the truth. And I want to reiterate, that separating baptism from salvation is not possible. But my main argument and question is AT WHAT POINT salvation occurs. And can we have enough confidence in the character of God to know that if a man is unable to be baptized in water, does he go to heaven? Of course he does. Does God refuse salvation for people who at the end of the earth have not heard of salvation through baptism? Of course He doesn’t. It is God’s work and desire that all come to repentance and be baptized. He would NEVER let a human soul fall through the cracks of semantics into the pits of hell. Do faith and baptism go together hand in hand? Absolutely. Does someone go to hell for not getting baptized? Absolutely not. I didn’t always hold these positions. In the first couple years of salvation I believed baptism was necessary for salvation and I believed that the scriptures warned me of falling out of my salvation, of backsliding into damnation. But now I have a better understanding of faith and baptism, as I do every day that I study.
So what is the main shared belief on baptism held by early church fathers? Well they pretty much agree that without baptism we don't go to heaven. The missed point by them is that we never reach a point of complete salvation until we receive a glorified body in the coming Kingdom. There are five, yes things that we must begin with, (i.e. hear, repent, believe, confess, get baptized etc.) This is some of the most basic of Christian teaching. But at what point does salvation enter? Is is Number 5? Number 3?....there MUST be two distinct moments in time, between which Christ's Holy Comforter enters a man, regenerates him from death unto light and makes him an unchangeable member of God's family. A *Point of Salvation*...and the answer is number 1.
Faith alone in Christ brings salvation and we continue therein. NEVER in this lifetime will we reach completion. But at what point can we be confident in our destination? There are hundreds of scriptures that clearly say that faith brings salvation. Not COMPLETED salvation, but salvation that gets you into the Kingdom. I mean really, how many scriptures do we need to say the same thing in order for us to believe it? There is really no way to argue 100’s of verses that say the exact same thing and say that you believe the Bible.
In regard to baptism for salvation- the position held by most early church writers- I'll grant you there are a couple verses that can be pulled out of context and looked at in a way that seems to say baptism is the way to salvation. But the way we exegete bible doctrine is put it with all scriptures and match it up and pull out the meaning. In which case there is no other conclusion that can be made than the one I have stated for salvation. We receive the baptism of the Holy spirit by repenting from our old ways and beliefs- and turning them toward belief in Christ and his ways for salvation, so in essence belief and repentance are the same thing in regard to points in time. Repent, Metanoeite means to ‘change your mind’- to stop believing one thing and believe another. At which point certain things are expected of us like communion and baptism and love, but nothing physical is required of us before we become Christians and the Holy Spirit is required in order to do these things- 1Cor 12:3 says no man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Spirit. We therefore must have the Holy Spirit before these things take place that are supposed to bring us closer to the Holy Spirit. And I think that everyone should know this.
Love is the driving factor of my saying these things. Not for the sake of arguing or putting myself on a pedestal. And hope is Purpose of God saying them- that we might have hope of salvation that is unmovable, else why would we praise a God who keeps us in confusion and turmoil the way that other religions do? God doesn't want us to wonder if our baptism was correct, for us to wonder if we are going to heaven or not. I have an educated opinion on this and I think it is one of the only REALLY important issues. So many Biblical issues argued by the church make no difference either way concerning our getting into heaven. But God has given us peace by understanding that we are safe from dying with the world when it comes to judgment.
Most early church fathers believed (and rightfully so) that baptism was deeply connected to faith, but their extremist position that being baptized with the belief that baptism saves you was necessary for salvation contradicts the teaching of the Bible and everything that Christ said. Many also held that there were exceptions to that rule-for instance martyrs and believers who did not have access to water- but if there is one exception there might as well be 100 exceptions and God is NOT a God of exceptions or rules that only apply in certain circumstances. It just isn't in His character. God does not do one thing in one situation and another thing because of different circumstances. God says it is so and it is so. He does not change and He is far above reasoning and rationalizing. These of course are human attributes we use to understand God. Innate in them are the insufficiencies of being human, incomplete and imperfect. God-a Perfect Being- is incapable of having characteristics that make him incomplete, like rationalizing. He gives blessing for obedience and curses disobedience always and forever.
Modes and types of Baptism…
Early church fathers mostly agree on the requirement of baptism for salvation. But few of them agree on the mode of baptism, the relevance of baptism etc. The opinions of the earliest writings vary almost as much as we disagree today.
Baptism (non-immersionist view)
Baptism (the baptist interpretation)
But we learn in the Bible, that there is ONE BAPTISM!
One resounding question through the corridors of time has been infant/ child baptism. Can children be saved at 2 years old through baptism? Many say 'yes', however I think if we take a common-sense approach to looking at this we will see that children reach an age of accountability and point of God-consciousness when they are able to not only decide, but also take responsibility for their own thoughts and actions without their parents. At what point would God hold someone responsible? This is the rational evidence. Empirical evidence can be found all throughout history by looking at the influence of believing and baptism of young Christians. Anyone reading this can remember the change they felt when they first believed, with or without baptism-a change visible by others. And little difference is seen by others after we decide to be baptized if there is an interval. Can we say that there is a visible difference seen in a child or infant's behavior after baptism?
We also see that modes of baptism in the past have often been quite different than what we see in churches today. Many churches have demanded that one must come to baptism completely naked. And countless churches have immersed believers not just once but THREE times in order for baptism to be complete as is taught in Didache. In some churches one must not only confess Christ, but also denounce Satan for complete regeneration while others have anointed new converts with oil immediately afterward.
Some churches even to this day perform ceremonies almost identical to marriage ceremonies where individuals are asked if they 'do confess Christ', etc., and respond with a simple 'I do' for each question before baptism followed by the elders laying hands on them. All of these different positions are held by different early church 'fathers', which is why I have a hard time rationalizing any of their thoughts that are so ambiguous and not universally agreed upon. In my experience, Truth is a constant. It is universal and it is not relative.
Everything that God does in this world is for us. He does nothing for Himself out of necessity and baptism is no exception. What we must never do is replace Christ with the 'Plan' of salvation. We mustn't put so much emphasis on mode of baptism that we take away from what God is doing for us. Jesus said 'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes unto the father but by Me'. He did not say 'no man comes unto the Father but by complete immersion plus confession, repentance, infant baptism, and the laying on of hands', etc. It seems in a way we are trying to create a stairway to heaven in these five steps to salvation. But I guess the bottom line is that it is always better to baptize than to deny baptism. It is after all God who does the work and saves according to His will, not our actions.
Physical versus Spiritual Baptism…
I have to constantly remind myself that God is not bound by
the same restrictions of time and space as I search for the
*point* in time that I (and we ALL) received the Holy Spirit and
salvation. If one were baptized at precisely 6:52:31 pm, were
they 'unsaved' at 6:52:30, and born again believers at 6:52:32?
and since God is omniscient, is our salvation recorded all the
way down to the nanosecond? What are the facts dealing with
baptism in the physical realm versus the spiritual? Is the
physical act of baptism the place where we meet in time with the
spiritual realm? Are there physical/ spiritual properties and
requirements that are met in baptism by water- a sort of meeting
place for the divine and human actions that take place? Every
day that we continue through existence, our awareness is
heightened. Though technologically we advance, since Adam we
devolved in respect to our knowledge of God. That is, up until
the point that he gave us the canon of scripture where we now
relearn that which Adam spoke directly to Christ about. We are
now reaching a point of understanding unprecedented in times
past and we are ever subject to the laws of creation and
existence-looking at the glass from the glass- So is there more
to what we read from Mathew after Peter's confession, 'Verily I
say unto you, what things ye shall bind on earth shall be bound
in heaven; and what things ye shall loose on earth shall be
loosed in Heaven.'
The Holy Spirit lives in regenerated human spirits; which even dead spirits (unregenerated man) share in the connectedness of things; spiritual awareness is our self-conscious connection to God and the Universe. But God does not live in a dead spirit any more than we can live in a dead body. So we are quickened, who once were dead (Col 2:13). And just as I want a globe handy when reading the geography or history of Earth, it would be nice to have a 'map' of the universe (including the spiritual realm) that showed the space-time issues we are talking about. Unfortunately it is very hard for most to visualize this spatiotemporal, spiritual idea. The best visual aid I have as of yet is Here. But it really wont help for now. It will however help to read about souls at this point (although the page is far from complete) since they are so closely connected. But it doesn't state clearly anything that answers some of our 'baptism and time' questions. For example, how do we represent the fact that we look backward in time to a smaller Universe as we look outward into ever-larger space- to our expanding Universe?
I know most readers must be wondering what this has to do with baptism. But on the contrary, it has everything to do with baptism of the Holy Spirit. We can't look at spiritual things as if they are fantasy-some mythological/ hi-tech thing that hurts to think about. If we are to believe the Bible we have to look at the spiritual realm as something even more real than the common dimensions of space-time. Something that Jesus taught often and partly the reason He used parables...so that they could be deciphered when one's mind was ready.
Our readiness is developed through abstracting abilities. I have always called it 'stretching my consciousness'. But also Paul tells the Corinthians 'Spiritual things are Spiritually discerned' as our minds work together with our human spirit wherein lives God himself in measure (or a portion. Only Christ has received the Spirit without measure i.e. the whole Thing, not a portion per Jn 3:34). The feeling of connection to nature, and the Cosmos is the psychological (incidentally from Psuche, the Greek word for soul) and emotional basis of mental/ spiritual health; insanity is the consequence of its loss. In psychology we see the two words interchange quite a bit during rehabilitation. Mental illness is the risk for the ability to abstract- physical contact with reality may be lost. So there is quite obviously a distinction. There is always a thin line between genius and insanity. Some of us live in the middle ground called eccentricity. But the point is that advanced doctrine of baptism can be a little bit 'out there'. My wife often says that nothing is worth anything if it costs you nothing. This is true and ignorance is bliss. Christ never said it would be easy. But if we are to know for sure that we are saved this is what we must do-at least this is what I must do myself and I choose to share it because the meaning of baptism is important to me.
It is easier to see the reasons and purpose of the spiritual aspect of baptism. It connects God to our human spirit which is connected to our mind. Therefore when you are baptized with the Spirit, you have the New Mind of Love that thinks the positive thoughts of the Spirit of God, instead of the sinful thoughts that naturally come out of us (Ep 4:17-32). Not that our sin nature goes away when we are baptized, but that we have an alternative- a choice to be Spirit-lead or self gratifying. As Christians we don't always make the right choice (Romans 8). But we are given the ability and judged according to those choices. (Rev 20:11, 1Cor 3) We are given the opportunity through spiritual baptism.
So why is something necessary externally for us to receive this internally? Or is it? Why these two forms of baptism when we read that there is only ONE baptism (Ep 4:5) or are they one and the same? What REAL significance can there be in the physical dipping into water? What separates our baptism from taking a bath, swimming or any other physical thing that we could do? What is up with the water versus the Spirit? Let us take a closer look…
Baptism With Water versus Baptism With Spirit…
In John's own words: "I indeed baptize you in water to repentance. But He [Jesus] who is coming after me is mightier than I ... He shall baptize you in the Holy Spirit and in fire" (Mat 3:11). Again John's words: "I baptize with water" (John 1:26). John baptized with water, but it was He who was coming after John who would baptize with the Spirit (John 1:26-33). And in Christ's own words after He was resurrected from the dead: "And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but said, Wait for the promise of the Father which you heard from Me. For John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days after this" (Acts 1:4-5). And while Christ's followers were waiting in Jerusalem the Promise did come in the form of the Spirit (Acts 2). Now the Promise is the Holy Spirit: "the Promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father" (Acts 2:33). This Promise was not only to Christ but to "as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39).
It is the baptism with the Spirit that counts it seems, not baptism with water. "Water" is merely a symbolic representation of Spirit from these Scriptures. When Christ spoke of water and wind to help us understand the baptism ‘from above’, anothen- he meant the Spirit (see John chapter 3 and 7:38-39). We see here PLAINLY that when Christ said 'water', he meant the 'Spirit'. And correct translation of the original, including the use of, kai-which should be translated EVEN, not AND… “he that is born of water, even (which is) the Spirit…” Is this what he meant to Nicodemus in the third chapter of John? Was Christ saying that water WAS the Spirit or was He saying water baptism AND Spirit baptism are necessary?
And are we baptized in water to show our repentance? It would seem baptizing in water today would be exactly the same as John's water baptism. Otherwise there are two new baptisms since John's baptism-the physical and the spiritual. But we know this is not the case.
A deeper look at John 3…
As I look at John 3, the first thing I am reminded of is that I think it is poorly-translated. Christ tells Nicodemus that everyone must be born 'again' in order to see the Kingdom of God. But if you will notice in your Bible's footnotes the words 'from above' (in Greek, Anothen anw from strong’s 473). That is because the word really has a different meaning than to be born 'again'. This is actually the verse that helped me realize that the Bible wasn't written in English.
A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature lists three uses for anothen in this order: 1. from above; 2. a. from the beginning, b. for a long time; 3. again, anew. When Jesus says to Nicodemus, “...unless one is born anothen,” he means “from above”. Nicodemus continues, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" Jesus replies without really answering the question: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” The answer makes sense in context of being born from above much more than it does if we translate it 'again'.
Jesus is telling Nicodemus that one cannot enter into the Kingdom of God unless he or she is born from above - from God – born anew by the Holy Spirit in contrast to that of physical birth. Anothen occurs 13 times in the New Testament. For instance James 1:17, 'Every good and perfect gift is "from above". In the entire NASB, it is translated only twice as “again,” each time in these passages in John. Five times it is translated as “above.” In the book of John, anothen appears three other times and is translated “above” twice and is not translated the final time, but the inference is from “above.” There is further evidence that this should be translated 'from above/ anew' but we have stated here enough to move on to the other translational question in this verse.
"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God". The words 'water' and 'Spirit' are pretty much cut and dry (the word 'the' isn’t really in the verse, only implied so we won’t include it). But the word AND is very important here. The word is kai and it is translated several ways...
KJV (1097) - also, 514; and, 1; both, 43; even, 108; likewise, 13; misc, 32; not tr., 348; so, 18; then, 20; NAS (936) - accompanied, 1; actually, 2; after, 2; again, 1; along, 4; also, 535; although, 1; besides, 1; both, 1; certainly, 1; continue, 1; either, 2; else, 1; even, 132; forty-six, 1; if, 1; including, 1; indeed, 2; just, 3; likewise, 1; more, 2; moving about freely, 1; nor, 4; now, 2; only, 1; or, 11; same, 1; so, 30; than, 4; then, 105; though, 6; together, 1; too, 34; until, 1; very, 3; well, 13; when, 7; whether, 1; while, 1; whose, 1; without, 4; yet, 9;
So with the same word being translated all of these different ways, how can we be positive that Christ did not say we must be born of water, EVEN the Spirit, water THAT IS the Spirit, water ACTUALLY the Spirit, water, INDEED the Spirit, water MORE SO the Spirit, water NOW the Spirit, water UNTIL the Spirit, etc. So let us not take ourselves too seriously on a word as ambiguous as kai. let us just accept the translation that best fits the context as we have done.
The Way to Salvation…
Hundreds of verses in the bible are quite clear that the point of salvation begins with faith…
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was
spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid,
only believe.
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth (EVEN SALVATION?)
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
Mr 11:24 -
Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
Lu 8:12 -
Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
Lu 8:50 -
But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
Joh 1:12 -
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Joh 7:39 -
(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.)
Joh 8:24 -
I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Ac 13:39 -
And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Ac 15:11 -
But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Ac 16:31 -
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Ro 3:22 - [
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Ro 4:11 -
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Ro 10:9 -
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 after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
Ga 3:22 -
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
1Ti 4:10 -
For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
1Jo 5:13 -
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.
Mt 9:22 -
But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.
Lu 18:42 -
And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy
sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
Ac 26:18 -
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Ro 3:22 -
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that
Ro 3:25 -
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Ro 3:28 -
Therefore we conclude that a man is
justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Ro 3:30 -
Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Ro 4:5 -
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Ro 4:13 -
For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Ro 5:2 -
By whom also we have access by faith into
this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of
God.
Ro 9:30 -
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Knowing that a man is not justified by the
works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have
believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the
faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the
works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Ga 3:2 -
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
Ga 3:8 -
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
Ga 3:11 -
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
But the scripture hath concluded all under
sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to
them that believe.
