Baptismal regeneration heresy and the failures of the COC. (Part 3)

Baptismal regeneration heresy and the failures of the COC. (Part 3)

Read these posts before reading this one:

Baptismal regeneration heresy and the failures of the COC. (Part 1)  
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/baptismal-regeneration-heresy-and.html

Baptismal regeneration heresy and the failures of the COC. (Part 2)
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/baptismal-regeneration-heresy-and_11.html 


Here is an excerpt from a message I got from a COC (Church of Christ).

"Believing in water baptism doesn’t mean that the church doesn’t acknowledge other baptisms found in the Bible. I believe in water baptism because that is the example we have of the kind of baptism required for salvation under Christ’s law. If any other example is given to us, I invite someone to give me the passages that prove it. Of course those passages would have to come from the new testament in order for us to be following Christ’s law."


Hmm. Well the COC is not "THE church". It is a denomination that believes in baptismal regeneration. The body of Christ (Eph. 2, 3, 5, 1 Cor. 12, etc.) is THE church of this present dispensation, believers assembled in Christ in heavenly places (Rom. 12:5, Eph. 2:6, 1 Cor. 6:15-17). 

Also, I have corresponded with dozens of COC's and none of them acknowledged the seven baptisms, if you are an exception than I apologize. But the exception doesn't change the rule. Secondly I doubt you acknowledge the baptism by the Spirit into Christ through the faith of the operation of God (Col. 2:10-12, 1 Cor. 12:12-13, Rom. 6:3-4, Gal. 3:26-28, Eph. 4:5) or else you probably wouldn't be a COC.

As for your statement, "I believe in water baptism because that is the example we have of the kind of baptism required for salvation under Christ’s law", you are talking about the wrong dispensation as seen in the previous posts on this subject. You need Christ's latest dispensational commandments, not old ones. You wouldn't try and keep the Old Testament and ignore the New Testament would you? Likewise with the dispensations (Gal. 1:11-12, 2:7-8, Rom. 11:13, 25, Eph. 3:1-9, Col. 1:25-27). Paul received the latest revelation from Christ, the dispensation of grace. (for more information on this, see Pastor David O'Steen's mystery series http://kjbstudy.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-mystery-introduction.html)  

We know that Paul did not follow Christ's baptism commission, he plainly says that he didn't.

CHRIST'S WATER BAPTISM COMMISSION  TO APOSTLES
"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:" (Mark 16:15-16, Matthew 28:19) 

APOSTLES POLICY ON WATER BAPTISM

"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." (Acts 10:47-48)

PAUL'S POLICY ON WATER BAPTISM
"I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 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 Cor. 1:14-17)

Paul clearly says that Christ didn't tell him to baptize (or else he would have been sent to do it). Some people say that Paul was not sent to baptize because he was a missionary and not a pastor. However, WHERE are pastors told to baptize? Isn't it always APOSTLES that are sent to baptize? The twelve apostles were missionaries to "EVERY CREATURE" and "ALL NATIONS" and they were sent to baptize. In fact, I have never even see in the scriptures where a pastor is told to baptize, only apostles. 

So Paul is obviously not following Christ's commission due to the dispensational changes. We know that this change in God's plan occurred between Acts 2 and Acts 10. Compare the two passages.

Acts 2:
[36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
[37] 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?
[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.
[41] Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 10:
[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.   

In Acts 2 water baptism was a requirement for receiving the baptism with the Holy Ghost, but in Acts 10 Christ gives the Holy Ghost baptism upon the hearing of faith to the Gentiles. Peter and the apostles of the circumcision were amazed that this had happened. But why did this happen? What happened between Acts 2 and Acts 10 that would make this change happen? It was Paul's salvation in Acts 9.

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.
[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.

Acts 26:
[13] At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
[14] And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
[15] And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
[16] But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
[17] Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
[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.
[19] Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
[20] But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Paul received a new gospel in Acts 9.

1 Corinthians 15:
[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
[2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
[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:

Galatians 1:
[11] But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
[12] For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 

This gospel that Paul received is called the gospel of the uncircumcision. 

Galatians 2:
[7] But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
[8] (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 

It is called "the gospel of the uncircumcision" because it was given to Paul first, the apostle of the Gentiles, to preach to Gentiles.

Romans 11:13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 

This gospel was offered through Israel's fall rather than rise.

Romans 11:
[25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
[26] And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
[27] For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
[28] As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
[29] For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
[30] For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
[31] Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
[32] For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. 

Old Testament prophesy, Christ's earthly ministry, and Acts 1-7 all spoke of Gentiles being blessed through Israel's RISE, not fall. This was a mystery revealed to Paul. Gentiles getting an open door to accept a gospel of grace APART from Israel and the earthly kingdom is NOWHERE found in prophecy, Christ's earthly ministry, or Acts 1-7. That was a mystery that Christ committed to Paul (as seen above). I know this to be true because Paul said that Christ gave the new dispensation through him, until then it was a mystery.

Ephesians 3:
[1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
[2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward:
[3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
[4] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
[5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
[6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
[7] Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.
[8] Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
[9] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

Colossians 1:
[23] If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
[24] Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
[25] Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
[26] Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
[27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 

Paul became the first one to accept this new gospel and placed in the body of Christ, which was before a mystery.  

"According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 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." (1 Timothy 1:11-16) "According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon." (1 Cor. 3:10)

That is what happened between Acts 2 and Acts 10 that would cause this shift in the manner of receiving the baptism with the Holy Ghost. Peter and his friends ("of the circumcision") were astonished because they didn't know what had happened with Paul. They were still keeping the law! (Acts 2:46, Acts 10:9-17)

In Acts 15 Peter acknowledges Paul's distinct ministry and that is when he understands why the Gentiles received the baptism with the Holy Ghost WITHOUT water baptism.

Acts 15:
[1] And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
[2] When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
[3] And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
[4] And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
[5] But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
[6] And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
[7] And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
[8] And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
[9] And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
[10] Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
[11] But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
[12] Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.

(Also see Galatians 2)

Now let's continue with examining the COC statement.

"Believing in water baptism doesn’t mean that the church doesn’t acknowledge other baptisms found in the Bible. I believe in water baptism because that is the example we have of the kind of baptism required for salvation under Christ’s law. If any other example is given to us, I invite someone to give me the passages that prove it. Of course those passages would have to come from the new testament in order for us to be following Christ’s law."

In this dispensation, we are not under "law"...we are under grace! 

Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

The dispensation that Christ gave through Paul is GRACE (Eph. 3:1-9), not LAW. 

I think I have already covered the rest of the COC statement. Also read these posts:
 
Baptismal regeneration heresy and the failures of the COC. (Part 1)  
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/baptismal-regeneration-heresy-and.html

Baptismal regeneration heresy and the failures of the COC. (Part 2)
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/09/baptismal-regeneration-heresy-and_11.html   

--Eli "Hoss" Caldwell