Lesson 6-16 Water Baptism? Part 6 Baptism in the Dispensation of Grace

I have been asked to give my understanding on water baptism, and its relationship to the Body of Christ. 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 at the same time.

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. 

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 do not and 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.

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

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).  

Summary of Points we have established thus far. 

1. There are many different modes of water baptism being practiced today. Some groups baptize by sprinkling, some by pouring, some by immersion, some face forward, some backwards, etc. with no clear cut directions from the scripture on whether one way is better than another.
2. The water baptism that John the Baptist was practicing was one of repentance for sinners.
3. Jesus was not baptized for any sins that he had committed, but to fulfill the law and all righteousness.
4. John’s water baptism had one purpose and that purpose was to make Jesus known to Israel.
5. We established that the heavens opened; the spirit of God descended upon Jesus, and God said from heaven "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" after Jesus was baptized.
6. We established that Jesus was made manifest to the nation Israel by the actions of the Living God, and thus proved him to be Israel’s promised Messiah.

In the last lesson we learned two additional and very important points,

1. Paul’s commission contained no instructions to continue baptizing people with water. He clearly states that when he said “For Christ sent me not to baptize”.
2. Paul’s commission was to preach the gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection from the dead of the Lord Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. Paul’s gospel was in no way a continuation of the gospel of the Kingdom of God that was preached by the 11 apostles.

1Cor. 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.

1^st Cor. 15 [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Now, once again, let us continue our study of God’s Holy Word so that we can arrive at a sound doctrinal position on the subject of water baptism.

We have stated many times on this website that Jesus did commission the 11 apostles to baptize, and teach the nations to observe all things whatsoever he commanded. The problem is that people fail to recognize that Jesus in Matthew through Acts Chp. 8 was teaching the people (Nation of Israel) to follow the law, and believe it or not, baptism was part of the Mosaic Law.

Just because Jesus gives someone an assignment, commission, or some other task to perform in the Bible does not mean that we can just claim it as something he wants us to do. We will discuss this flawed line of reasoning later in these lessons.

Here's an important point going forward: (another big mistake that is made when dealing with the subject of water baptism) almost without fail, when someone hears the word baptize, they think water baptism and do not consider it may be spiritual baptism.

It's very clear John the Baptist said that Jesus Christ would be baptizing people with the Holy Ghost and not water.

In this lesson we will be looking at the references to baptism in the Pauline epistles to determine the doctrinal position of the Apostle Paul on water baptism verses spiritual baptism.

Rom.6  [1] What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? [2] God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? [3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? [4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. [5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

I would ask you to pray and ask the Holy Spirit of the Living God to guide in this study, make it clear to you and I, by revealing the truth about water baptism.

I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the verses above used by preachers when they baptize someone in water. In fact, this is probably one of the most quoted verses used in water baptism rites or ceremonies.

[3] Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Interestingly enough is there is no water in these verses. Let us look closely at the verses now. In verse three Jesus speaking through the apostle Paul, tells us that we are baptized in Jesus Christ. And, when we are baptized into Jesus Christ, we are baptized into his death. This baptism into Jesus Christ is a spiritual baptism. There is no interaction with water that can place us into the Body of Christ.

[4] Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

In verse four we are told we are buried with him by baptism into death. That, as Christ was raised from the dead, even so we should walk in newness of life. This, once again, is clearly talking about spiritual baptism without water.

[5] For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

In verse five there is no water involved in the death or resurrection of Jesus. The only time we have seen water baptism involved with Jesus was early in his ministry, when John the Baptist baptized with water to make Jesus known to the nation Israel. Never was there any reference to water surrounding his death and resurrection except the water and blood that flowed from his wounded side, which certainly had nothing to do with water baptism.

[6] Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

In verse six we see that our old man is crucified with him. If this was not spiritual in nature, the rest of the verse makes no sense because we would be physically dead! Paul goes on to say after the old man is crucified, we should not henceforth serve sin. He is talking about us walking in newness of life as a new man!

1Cor. 12  [12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. [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. [14] For the body is not one member, but many.

In 1Cor. 12 Jesus speaking through the Apostle Paul states “[13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body,” I am not going to say a lot about this as I believe the Holy Spirit of the living God has now revealed Christians are baptized into Christ by the Holy Ghost, and not water. Also if you are not a Christian the only way to become one is to be baptized by the Holy Ghost into Christ, and not getting sprinkled, immersed, or water poured on your head or body.

Gal. 3 [26] For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. [27] For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Honestly, in the verse above, can this be anything but spiritual baptism? There is no evidence Jesus speaking through the apostle Paul, was teaching anything but spiritual baptism.

Eph.4 [4] There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; [5] One Lord, one faith, one baptism, [6] One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Now we come to Eph. 4 and Paul clearly recites the number one seven times. We have to believe that one means one! Now notice he says there is one baptism. Yet we know that there are at least seven different types of baptism in the scripture that we studied earlier. I propose to you that the one baptism spoken of here is the spiritual baptism into the body of Christ, and not water baptism.

Col.2 [10] And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: [11] In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: [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.

In Col. 2 the last place we find the word baptism in Paul’s instructions to the Body of Christ as given to him and him alone by the Lord Jesus, we see spiritual again, it is spiritual and has nothing to do with water baptism.

Conclusion: There is no water baptism in Romans, 1st Corinthians 12, Galatians, Ephesians,  or Colossians, and  Paul is clearly speaking and teaching spiritual baptism in his epistles.

Notice how clear this is when you just read it, believe it, and let the Holy Spirit of the living God make his Holy Words easy to understand.

As we conclude this lesson, I hope you will go and study it out as we get ready for the conclusion of this series in part seven where we will look at, "Does it really matter what we believe concerning water baptism?"

With modern day technology being what it is, it is very easy to do word searches and check when someone quotes a Bible verse or tells you something is in the Bible for you to look it up and verify if they are pulling your leg!

The Truth of God’s Holy word is easy to determine if you let the Holy Spirit lead you.

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

If you have never trusted the Lord Jesus as your savior, I encourage you to believe in him and invite him to save you today! All one needs to do is to trust and believe in the Lord Jesus’s death, burial and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins to be made new in him.

Gal.2 [16] 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

Eph.3 [17] That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, [19] And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

What a great day that will be when Jesus Christ returns in all his glory, friend don’t let that day take you unawares. Today Jesus has his arms outstretched and open to sinners to put their trust in him. One day we will all stand before him either as our savior or our judge, don’t put it off invite Jesus to save you today!

"The crowd that will not accept one truth will decay to the point that it does not accept one God: many denominations, many translations, many gods."

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.

Come join with us as we study God’s Holy Word!

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

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