Lesson 4-16 Water Baptism? Part 4 The Baptism of Saul/Paul

I have been asked to give my understanding on water baptism, its relationship to the Body of Christ, and should we be practicing it today?

As always I will be sharing the teachings and understanding, as I believe the Lord Jesus has shown to me by study and through the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

I never encourage anyone to believe anything that I believe, without them first studying it out for themselves. If they come to a different understanding than myself, that is ok, as there is liberty in the Lord for us to not see all things the same, at the same time.

I have come to understand all the confusion among Christianity / Christians today can be attributed to the fact that the church, the Body of Christ, does not recognize the separate, distinct, and unique apostleship, ministry, and message of Paul.

Now as we continue this study of water baptism I will repeat the guidelines we are using just in case this is the first lesson you read.  This will be a benefit for all readers such that each lesson can stand on its own merit.

Introduction: Guidelines for this study;

1. We are treating the living words of the living God as spoken by the Lord Jesus and given to the Apostle Paul for the Body of Christ the same importance, as the words of the Lord Jesus recorded in red letters in the books of Matthew – Acts Chp. 8, as what should be known as the instructions to the nation Israel.
2. We will not be wresting the scriptures against each other, we will look at the verses in their context, and we will not try to make them say anything, but what they say.
3. We will be using the verses out of the Authorized Version, commonly known as the KJV. It is fine if you want to look the verses up in other translations if you like, but we will consider the Authorized Version as our final written authority.
4. We will not be using the Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, or Latin languages to prove any points, or give any indication that the Authorized Version has been incorrectly translated.

 Different types of baptisms that are recorded in the scriptures and definitions.

1.  Water Baptism – The practice of the religious rite of sprinkling water onto a person's forehead, or of immersion of a person in water, or dipping a person in water, or pouring water on a persons head and body. (For this study the mode of water baptism is inconsequential, the fact water is involved is enough for our study)
2. Baptism of John – This is the practice of water baptism as performed by John the Baptist. (Matt. 3;11 Matt. 21;25 Mark 11;30 Luke 7;29 20;4 John 1;31 Acts 1;22 Acts 18;25 )
3. Baptism of Repentance – This also is water baptism as practiced by John and administered to sinners and publicans. (Matt. 3;6,11 Mark 1;4 Luke 3;3 Acts 13;24)
4. Baptism of the Holy Ghost – This is spiritual baptism with the Holy Ghost. (First mentioned by John the Baptist in reference to Jesus.) Pay attention and notice, John said that Jesus would be the one baptizing with the Holy Ghost, not water.) (Matt 3;11 Mark 1;8 Luke 3;16 John 1:33)
5. Baptism of Fire – Dictionary definition; an introductory or initial experience that is a severe ordeal, (this baptism is spiritual in nature and does not include any water). (Matt. 3;11)
6. Baptism of Moses – This applies to the nation of Israel who was baptized in the cloud and sea. (1^st Cor. 10;2) (This is an Old Testament event and happened when Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt.)
7. Baptism for the dead – vicarious baptism or proxy baptism today commonly refers to the religious practice of baptizing a person on behalf of one who is dead—a living person receiving the rite on behalf of a deceased person. Baptism for the dead is best known as a doctrine of the Latter Day Saint movement, which has practiced it since 1840. (For this study we will not be dealing with this subject I only include it so that you know I am aware of this practice. But to just so you know, I don’t believe that it was something Paul believed the Body of Christ was supposed to be performing. (1^st Cor. 15:29)

Our desire for these lessons are to be understandable, defendable, and have the Holy Spirit bear witness that the answers are the true, and correct, interpretation of the Holy Scriptures. 

1. Now at this point we have established some very important Bible truths which are often overlooked when people just read their Bible like a novel, instead of studying their Bible like the textbook it is, (authored and inspired by God, transcribed by man). 
2. At this point we have established there are a lot of different modes of water baptism being practiced today. Some groups baptize by sprinkling, some by pouring, some by immersion, some face forward, etc. with no clear cut directions from the scripture on whether one is better than another.
3. We have clearly established the water baptism that John the Baptist was practicing, was one of repentance for sinners.
4. We have established that Jesus was not being baptized for any sins that he had committed, but to fulfill all righteousness.
5. We have established John’s water baptism had one purpose, and that purpose was to make Jesus known to Israel.
6. We have established that when the heavens opened; the spirit of God descended upon Jesus, God said from heaven this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.
7. We have established that Jesus at this point was made manifest to the nation Israel. by the actions of the Living God, and thus proved him to be Israel’s promised Messiah.

Let us continue our study of God’s Holy Word as we add to the information we have gathered so far, as this will help us to arrive at a sound doctrinal position on the subject of water baptism in the near future.

In this lesson we will be looking at the Baptism of Saul/Paul, I would like to pick up with the lesson just after Jesus is Baptized.

John.1 [32] And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. [33] And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

In the verses above we see John reinforce the fact that Jesus will not be baptizing with water, but will be baptizing with the Holy Ghost.

John.4 [1] When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, [2] (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,) [3] He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee.

Here in John 4 we see another clarification to make it clear that Jesus himself did not baptize one person in water, that was John the Baptist’s instructions to baptize with water, not Jesus.

Now lets move to Saul’s baptism and conversion story. I want to start at Acts 2:38 as many people quote and use this verse as if it applies today. It is my opinion that it does not and was part of the program to the Nation Israel.

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, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I have covered this in other lessons, but for the sake of clarification concerning Saul/Paul’s conversion and baptism I felt the need to repeat this information. Pay close attention to what and the order in what Peter is preaching. Repent - this was the first step; to repent of one’s sin, second step; be baptized in water in Jesus name for the remission of one’s sins, third step; receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For the record Acts 2:38 was for Jews, who were part of the nation Israel, they were pork abstaining, temple worshipping, Mosaic Law keeping Jews! They were not Gentiles!

Acts.13 [9] Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,)…. The Apostle Paul was also known by the name Saul.

Acts.9 [1] And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, [2] And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

In Acts 9 verses 1 and 2 we get a clear picture of the attitude of Saul/Paul towards the disciples of the Lord, please pay close attention what his attitude was, as this is very important. Saul/Paul certainly doesn’t appear to be a repentant Jewish sinner who is interested in becoming a disciple of the Lord as had been the process repeated time after time up to this chapter in Acts.

Honestly does the words in verse 1 “yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter” give, or deserve any other interpretation than that of hatred, and a non-repentant heart, or attitude? In verse 2 we see this attitude drove Saul to get letters from the high priest giving him the authority in today’s words, arrest and drag up on charges anyone that believed in, and was following the Lord Jesus.

Acts.9  [3] And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: [4] And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [5] And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. [6] And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Here we have the account of Saul meeting the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, who was “breathing out threatenings and slaughter” in verse 1. Then in verse 5 and 6 he is “trembling and astonished” when he comes face to face with the Lord Jesus.

I want to point out that at this meeting of Saul with the Lord Jesus, Jesus did not tell Saul to repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Ghost remember this as it is an important point in Saul’s conversion.

Acts.9 [10] And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. [11] And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, [12] And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. [13] Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: [14] And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. [15] But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: [16] For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

In the verses above the Lord tells Ananias to go and meet with Saul and tell him what to do, which the Lord told Saul in verse 6 that he was to go into the city for further instructions. We see in verse 13 Ananias has heard all the bad things that Saul had done, and was aware Saul was there looking for all that call on the name of Jesus so he could bind them.

Now notice in verse 15 Jesus tells Ananias that Saul is “a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:” pay close attention to what Saul/Paul’s commission was going to be.

Now I must ask you, do you remember what Jesus told the 11 apostles in “Matt. 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:”, guess what this never happened, the apostles never fulfilled the supposed Great Commission. Then the Jews in Acts Chp. 7 with the killing of Stephen completed their total rejection of their God. They rejected God the Father, God the Son, and now with the killing of Stephen they rejected God the Holy Ghost in verses 54-53.

That is why God now saves Saul, who we now know as Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles. God starts a new program, called the dispensation of the Grace of God with the conversion of Saul. (Rom.11 [13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:)

Please search and see if you can find one map, or any evidence, that the 11 apostles made any missionary journeys. If you look around you will find all kinds of maps of the missionary journeys of Paul, but none concerning the original 11 apostles. Truth is they got themselves killed before their assignment was completed.

Anyway back to Saul in the following verses we see Ananias completed his assignment, went to Saul laid his hands on him and immediately his eyes were opened, he was saved or received the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then last thing that happened he was baptized. Notice this is out of sync with Acts 2:38 wrong order.

Acts.9 [17] And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. [18] And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

We are very close in our study to having gathered enough information about the different types of baptism to present our case, and come to a final answer to water baptism, and its relationship to the Body of Christ and should we be practicing it today. 

In our next lesson we will be looking at the Apostle Paul’s attitude towards water baptism and spiritual baptism. Please look up all the verses concerning baptism in the Pauline epistles as this will greatly aid you in the next two lessons.

I believe if you fail to understand, or fail to learn how to rightly divide the word of truth, you can never come to the knowledge of the truth, and sound doctrine.

As we conclude another lesson, I hope you will go and study it out as we get ready for part five when we will look at Paul's Commission and his teaching on the subject of baptism.

As far as spiritual discernment, when you know where to get your doctrine from, you will no longer be a confused Christian, or an easy target by the sleight of men to deceive you.

Romans 10 [8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [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. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The words of our Apostle Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles!

2Tim.2 [15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

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Remember most unsound Bible Doctrine, is sound Bible Doctrine misapplied to the wrong time period, or wrong group of people.

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