I usually refute the Church of Christ position (baptismal regeneration) from a Mid-Acts Dispensation grace movement perspective. But in this post, I have done it with the Baptist arguments. Either way the COC's lose.
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, Eph. 4:5).
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.
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, Eph. 4:5).
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.) Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
This statement is often presented by the "Church of Christ" as the plan of salvation when it is NOT. Mark 16 and Matthew 28 are apostolic commissions, not the revealings of a plan of salvation (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15).
Second, the statement "he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" is a TRUE statement. However, he that believeth and stands on his head will be saved! He that believeth and jumps on a pogo stick will be saved....because they BELIEVED.
Believing is the only requirement for salvation.....
John 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
John 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:
John 3:
[14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
[15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
[18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
[15] That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
[17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
[18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 3:36 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.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
There is no mixture of works with believing because when you believe the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4) you are sealed with the Spirit until the rapture.
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Galatians 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.
[17] But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
[18] For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
[19] For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
[20] 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.
[21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
[17] But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
[18] For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
[19] For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
[20] 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.
[21] I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Galatians 3:
[1] O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
[2] This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
[3] Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
[2] This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
[3] Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Romans 4:
[4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
[5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
[4] Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
[5] But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 2:
[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Titus 3:
[4] But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
[5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
[6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
[5] Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
[6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
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.
2.) 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.
The COC position, baptismal regeneration, is largely based on a misinterpretation of Acts 2:38. They believe that the phrase "for the remission of sins" means "in order to get the remission of sins". However, that is AGAINST the context. When did Christ ever say that water gave people the remission of sins? Would that not make the preacher (that is baptizing us) some sort of priest that has to do something for us so that we may get to heaven? Would that not make salvation between a sinner, a preacher, and Christ rather than just the sinner and Christ?
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) which you cannot do if you are not already saved (Titus 1:15).
"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.
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) which you cannot do if you are not already saved (Titus 1:15).
"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
The word "for" means different things. It CAN mean "in order to obtain", but that is not what it means in Acts 2:38. As seen above, in the context of Acts 2:38 it means "because of". The Jews had already called upon God from their heart and were already saved.
Here is a perfect illustration of this.
Luke 5:12-14: "And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them."
The man with leprosy represents a sinner. He then saw Jesus and called upon the name of the Lord, then Christ healed him. Then the man was to go and offer FOR his cleansing, that is BECAUSE OF.
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.
3.) 1 Peter 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:
Honestly I do not see how 1 Peter 3:21 helps the COC position. I think it CONDEMNS their position. 1 Peter 3:21 plainly states that water baptism only saves you in a "like figure", if it saves you in a life figure than that is not your REAL salvation, it is FIGURATIVE. Then it plainly states that it does not put away the filth of our flesh, our sins, but is the answer of a good conscience toward God. (which you cannot have if you are lost--Titus 1:15)
4.) Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Again, Peter revealed that water baptism was a "like figure" of our salvation, but not real salvation. He further stated that it does NOT put away our sins....so what would Aninias be saying in Acts 22:16? Obviously it is referring to baptism being a "like figure" of Christ's blood.
--Eli "Hoss" Caldwell
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