Baptismal regeneration heresy and the failures of the COC. (Part 1)

Baptismal regeneration heresy and the failures of the COC. (Church of Christ)

Basic false premises: 

A.) The Church of Christ (COC) does not recognize how many types of baptism are in the Bible.

#1.) God pouring out the flood in judgment [a water pouring with the end result being immersion] according to 1 Peter 3:20-21. ("baptism doth ALSO NOW")

#2.) The identification of the Israelites with Moses, God's messenger. (1 Corinthians 10:1-2) There was no immersion, the baptism was completely dry. 

#3.) Water baptism as a "like figure" of the washing away of sins (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21, Matthew 3, etc.)

#4.) Baptism with fire, another judgement baptism. This one being into hell fire (Matthew 3:10-12, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10, Revelation 20:15).

#5.) Baptism of suffering/death (Matthew 20:22, Mark 10:38, Luke 12:50). 

#6.) Baptism BY Christ WITH the Holy Ghost ONTO a person (Matthew 3:11, Acts 2:38, Ezekiel 36:27, Joel 2:28, Jeremiah 32:39, Acts 8:15-17, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:6, etc.)

#7.) Baptism BY the Spirit WITH a person INTO Christ, an "operation of God" (Colossians 2:10-12, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, Galatians 3:26-28, Romans 6:3-4).

B.) The Church of Christ (COC) does not recognize Paul as the distinct "apostle to the Gentiles", "the pattern to them which should hereafter believe", and the one who Christ dispensed the revelation of the mystery and gospel of the grace of God to (Romans 11:13, Galatians 1:11-12, Galatians 2:7-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 2 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 2:15, Ephesians 3:1-9, Romans 16:25-26, Colossians 1:25-27, Ephesians 5:22-32, 1 Timothy 1:12-16, Romans 11:25, 1 Corinthians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 11:1-2, 1 Corinthians 4:1, etc.)

If the COC's would recognize those truths they would find their answers to buptismal regeneration. Let's examine their proof texts and refute the heresy of baptismal regeneration.

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, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (ditto Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3)

In none of those passages (Acts 2:38, Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3) has the revelation of the mystery and gospel of the grace of God been dispensed yet. The body of Christ had not yet begun and Peter was looking FORWARD to the 2nd coming of Christ for remission of sins (Acts 3:19-26, 1 Peter 1:7-11) and the restoration of Israel (Acts 3:19-26, Acts 1:6). Peter knew nothing about preaching Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery which had been kept secret since the world began nor the blindness of Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in (Romans 11:13, 25, 16:25-26). Peter was preaching the Old Testament prophecy of the New Covenant which brought Israel remission of sins at the 2nd coming after the tribulation period (Jer. 31:31-34, 32:37-42, Ezek. 36:24-31, 1 Pet. 1:7-10, Acts 3:19-26). 

So to apply Acts 2:38 to this age (Eph. 2:13) is out of the question. But even in this context of the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 4:23, 9:35, 24:14, Mark 1:14), the water baptism would not regenerate the soul. That is the work of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Christ. Water baptism was only a "like figure" of the washing away of sins that did not put away the filth of the flesh (Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 1:18-25, 1 Peter 3:21). 

Here are some irrefutable facts about Acts 2:  Peter knew nothing about the dispensation of grace, The body of Christ, the pre-trib rapture of the body of Christ, complete salvation before the 2nd coming (he thought it came at the 2nd coming), Peter would not preach to Gentiles without Jews present until Israel repented (Luke 24:47), Peter did not preach that Christ died for sins in Acts 2 (he only preached a murder charge against the Jews), Peter and the apostles were still keeping the law (Acts 2:46, Acts 10:1-14, Acts 15), those in Acts 2 were keeping Christ's commandment to sell all that they had (Matthew 19:16-23, Matthew 10:9-10, Acts 2:44-45, Acts 4:34-37, 5:1-11).

Those are irrefutable facts about Acts 2.
 
Also, the plan of salvation was already given before verse 38....

Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Then Peter proves that Christ rose from the dead and is God and King over Israel (v. 22-36). So before we even get to verse 38 the plan of salvation has been given. Now look at verses 37-38.

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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."

Clearly these Jews had already called on the name of the Lord and believed that Christ was God and King over Israel, or else they would not have felt "pricked in their heart". These Jews did not ask "what shall we do to be saved" because Peter already declared in verse 21 that "whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved". What these Jews ARE ASKING is what should they do now....since they crucified their Messiah, which was Peter's charge against them (Acts 2:22-36).

The answer to that was the following:
1.) Repent of it
2.) Get water baptized to answer God with a good conscience (1 Peter 3:21)

"FOR the remission of sins" does not mean "to obtain the remission of sins". It means 'BECAUSE OF' the remission of sins......look at the references yourself.

Bring forth therefore fruits meet FOR repentance . . . --Matt. 3:4

Offer the gift that Moses commanded, FOR a testimony unto them . . . -- Matt. 8:3, 4

They cried FOR fear . . . --Matt. 14:26

Offer FOR thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded . . . -- Mark 1:11

They could not come nigh unto him FOR the press . . . --Mark 2:4

He looked . . . being grieved FOR the hardness of their hearts . . . -- Mark 3:3

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you IN THE NAME of Jesus Christ FOR the remission of sins . . . --Acts 2:38

What the COC's have done is they have built an entire system of theology based on a verse that they pulled out of context and didn't compare scripture with scripture on.

2.) Mark 16:15-16 and Matthew 28:19. "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......Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

I agree that in this kingdom gospel context that water baptism was a requirement, but in no way do I believe that water baptism ever had spiritual significance. It was a symbolic ("like figure") of the washing away of sins (Acts 22:16) but it NEVER put away the filth of the flesh (1 Peter 3:21). It was the answer of a good conscience toward God (1 Peter 3:21) and they could not have a good conscience if they were not already saved (Titus 1:15). Mark 16:15-16 and Matthew 28:19 did NOT say "he that is baptized not shall be damned". But I do realize that the kingdom gospel was based on the faith of man and not the faith of Christ like we have in the dispensation of grace (http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-washing-of-regeneration-refuting.html)

John 3 makes it clear that in the gospel of the kingdom, that initial faith in Christ (His position in the Godhead..."NAME") was enough for salvation. But of course since the gospel of the kingdom is based on man's faith for justification, that faith had to be proven by works and made perfect by trial (James 1-2, 1 Peter 1) i.e. "endure to the end" since they would be going through the tribulation (Hebrews 6, 10, Matt. 24). 

But this does not prove the COC position. It does not say that water baptism regenerates the soul. This isn't even a passage of scripture dealing with the body of Christ of the gospel of the grace of God (see point number 1 on Acts 2:38). I can prove that Paul did not follow Mark 16 and Matthew 28.

1 Corinthians 1:

[14] I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
[15] Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
[16] And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
[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.

Christ did not even tell Paul to baptize! Compare what Paul says to what Matthew 28 and Mark 16 say.

Mark 16:15-16 and Matthew 28:19. "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......Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"

1 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.

The difference is between the gospel of the circumcision and the gospel of the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7-8). Paul got saved and became the pattern for them which should believe his gospel after him (1 Tim. 1:16, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Gal. 1:11-12) and IMMEDIATELY doctrine concerning water baptism changed!

Acts 10:

[38] How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
[39] And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
[40] Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
[41] Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
[42] And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
[43] To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
[44] While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
[45] And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
[46] For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
[47] Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
[48] And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. 

Also, Mark 16:16 could be a reference to the baptism with the Holy Ghost. Not that it matters....we are in a new dispensation (Ephesians 3:1-9).

3.) 1 Peter 3:20-21 "Which sometime were disobedient, 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 water. 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:"

Here are the facts about 1 Peter 3:20-21.

A.) Noah was not saved by getting immersed in water. The water saved him by separating him from the world and God's judgment. Similar to water baptism, "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.....And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." (Acts 2:38, 40) Noah did not get water baptized. Hebrews 11:7 says "By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith." and again 2 Peter 2:5 "And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;". 

Noah got saved by the water because it separated him (floated the ark) from the ungodly and the condemnation of the ungodly. In the like figure, water baptism provides kingdom gospel saints with a separation from the ungodly that Christ will baptize with fire.

Luke 7:
[29] And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John.
[30] But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.

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.
[39] For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
[40] And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 

B.) The water baptism saved the kingdom gospel saints in a "like figure"...a 'like figure' is not an actual salvation of the soul

C.) The water baptism did not wash away sins, ("not the putting away of the filth of the flesh"). It was only a FIGURE of the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16, 1 Peter 3:21). 

D.) Water baptism was "the answer of a good conscience toward God" and one could not have a good conscience toward God if he was not ALREADY saved (Titus 1:15)

 

 (Part 2 coming soon)