I recently received an email from a friend of mine regarding water baptism. I have no problem with the Baptist position, I respect their point of views as long as they are based on scripture. I know a Baptist Brider that I correspond with almost everyday and I enjoy reading his articles. I can fellowship with just about anyone of any denomination as long as they believe the KJB and the gospel of the grace of God (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Eph. 1:13). However, when the Baptists depart from the Bible, I must go with the Bible and not the commandments and doctrines of men (Colossians 2). I will examine the messages I got from my Baptist friend and try to answer his points respectively and according to scripture.
First, it is important to acknowledge the differences in the different revelations and dispensations given in the New Testament, which I recently dealt with.
Dispensational differences Part 1
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/dispensational-differences-part-1.html
Dispensational differences Part 2
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/dispensational-differences-part-2.html
Dispensational Differences Part 3
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/dispensational-differences-part-3.html
Dispensational differences Part 4
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/dispensational-differences-part-4.html
Dispensational differences Part 5
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/dispensational-differences-part-5.html
Dispensational differences Part 6
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/dispensational-differences-part-6.html
MAD, "in Christ", and a smart aleck video
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/mad-in-christ-and-smart-aleck-video.html
Now I will try and answer my friend's objections to the Mid-Acts Dispensational view of water baptism.
"I don't want to be known as Acts 2 or "Mid-Acts". It's not even the purpose of Acts to reveal the beginning of the body of Christ! I am still rethinking some things, continually allowing the Bible to correct me instead of just reading my system into the Bible. The FACT is that the "Mid-Acts" system of theology has its flaws just like every other system.
First, it is important to acknowledge the differences in the different revelations and dispensations given in the New Testament, which I recently dealt with.
Dispensational differences Part 1
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/dispensational-differences-part-1.html
Dispensational differences Part 2
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/dispensational-differences-part-2.html
Dispensational Differences Part 3
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/dispensational-differences-part-3.html
Dispensational differences Part 4
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/dispensational-differences-part-4.html
Dispensational differences Part 5
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/dispensational-differences-part-5.html
Dispensational differences Part 6
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/dispensational-differences-part-6.html
MAD, "in Christ", and a smart aleck video
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/mad-in-christ-and-smart-aleck-video.html
Now I will try and answer my friend's objections to the Mid-Acts Dispensational view of water baptism.
"I don't want to be known as Acts 2 or "Mid-Acts". It's not even the purpose of Acts to reveal the beginning of the body of Christ! I am still rethinking some things, continually allowing the Bible to correct me instead of just reading my system into the Bible. The FACT is that the "Mid-Acts" system of theology has its flaws just like every other system.
The
Noble Bereans say that there is no legitimate use of water baptism in
the present age. Too bad Paul didn't know that! Oh yeah, that's right,
Paul stumbled ignorantly through the Acts period doing stuff he didn't
know he shouldn't. Irregardless of why people think Paul baptized, the
truth stands that he and his co-laborers did baptize in this present age
and it wasn't for the remission of sins or to form a royal priesthood.
If the mode was vital, it would have been revealed."
I really enjoy hearing about the open-mindedness of my friend and his willingness to allow the Bible to be his authority rather than denomination and religion.
As for the purpose of the book of Acts, it is to record the fall of Israel. At the beginning of the book of Acts, Israel was being offered the gospel of the kingdom (Acts 1:6-7, Acts 3:19-26) but when they blasphemed the Holy Ghost in Acts 7 with the stoning of Stephen, Israel fell and was cast away (Acts 6-7, 13:36, 18:6, 28:28, Romans 9-11). According to Romans 11, the purpose of Paul's Acts ministry was to provoke the unbelieving Jews to jealousy and accept the gospel (Romans 11).
As my friend stated, MAD does have its own errors. No sect of Christianity is perfect in its doctrine. If we believe the King James Bible as it stands, not "correcting it", and rightly divide it (2 Tim. 2:15) we should do fairly well as far as our doctrine is concerned.
As for my friend's statements about water baptism......
"The Noble Bereans say that there is no legitimate use of water baptism in the present age."
That is correct. In the present age, God has appointed one baptism as part of our calling and unity, that we are to walk worthy of, and I am not aware of any other baptism being commanded.
Ephesians 4:
[1] I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
[2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
[3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
[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.
The things mentioned in the list above are the spiritual components of our spiritual calling and walk in the body of Christ. I know that the items on the list are spiritual and not physical because it is the "unity of the SPIRIT". Also, the calling we have is "not according to our works" (2 Tim. 1:9), if the baptism is a physical baptism that we perform than that IS a calling according to our works (but it is not). If our "local church only" (Baptist Brider) friends are correct and the body of Christ is actually the "local new testament church" than that is a calling according to our works. For we must assemble ourselves together to have a local church. However, nothing on the list is physical NOR is it according to our works.
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,
Therefore the "one baptism" is a SPIRITUAL baptism and not water baptism. This "one baptism" is done "by one Spirit" and is "through the faith of the operation of God".
1 Corinthians 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.
Colossians 2:
[6] As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
[7] Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
[8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
[9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
[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.
This spiritual baptism makes us "complete" in Christ, therefore we know that this baptism is not water baptism because we are not "made perfect by the flesh" but rather we are made perfect by the Spirit upon the hearing of faith (Gal. 3:1-3).
Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles and he is the one that Christ dispensed the revelation of the mystery and the gospel of the grace of God to (1 Cor. 2:7, 4:1, 15:1-4, Gal. 1:11-12, Rom. 11:13, 11:25, 15:16, 16:25, Eph. 1:9, 3:1-9, 5:32, 6:19, Col. 1:24-28, 2:2, 4:3, 1 Tim. 1:11-16, 3:9, 2 Tim. 1:9-11, 2:7, 2:15).
Therefore we are commanded to follow Paul. (1 Cor. 4:16, 11:1, Phil. 3:17)
Paul does not command us to water baptize and he basically says nothing about it, other than he was sent not to do it (1 Cor. 1:17). Since Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, does not tell us to water baptize, than we must not be suppose to do it.
The spiritual calling and unity of the body of Christ that we are to keep only involves "one baptism", therefore we must not have any other baptism as far as God is concerned. If we endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit, which is only one baptism, than why should we introduce water baptism into our churches without scriptural authority? I do not believe we should, rather, we should walk as we received Christ (Col. 2:6).
Next, my friend states "The Noble Bereans say that there is no legitimate use of water baptism in the present age. Too bad Paul didn't know that! Oh yeah, that's right, Paul stumbled ignorantly through the Acts period doing stuff he didn't know he shouldn't."
I do not believe that Paul was ignorant during the Acts period, neither do I know anyone that thinks he was.
Acts was a transition period where God was using Paul as a provoking instrument to help reach the Jews....
Romans 9:
[1] I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
[2] That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
[3] For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Romans 11:
[5] Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
[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.
[7] What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
Romans 11:
[12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
[13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
[14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
[15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
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.
Acts was the time of Israel's casting away in blindness. God was using Paul to provoke the "remnant according to the election of grace" to believe the new gospel dispensed to Paul (Gal. 1:11-12, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Rom. 16:25). During this time of transition, Paul would do things to help reach the Jewish remnant as long as it would not obscure the gospel....
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.
Acts 15:
[22] Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
[23] And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
[24] Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
[25] It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
[26] Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[27] We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
[28] For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
[29] That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
There were some things during the Acts period that Paul did to help the Jews out and not offend them. The kingdom apostles were still temple attending, non-pork eating, law keeping, etc. Jews according to Acts 2:46, 10:9-45, 15:28-29, 21:18-20. These apostles of the circumcision (preaching the gospel of the circumcision--Gal. 2:7-8) were still keeping the law. Paul did not want to be an offense to the Jews and the apostles so he adopted some of their customs as long as it would not compromise the gospel. (as he was commanded--Rom. 11:13-14, Acts 15:28-29)
For example.....
Acts 16:
[1] Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
[2] Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
[3] Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
Paul had just gotten a argument with some Jews in Acts 15:1-2 over the circumcision debate...and now he is practicing circumcision! Why??? "Because of the Jews". Paul realized that to make the Jews and apostles happy, he should practice their customs to not be a stumbling block to them. (Romans 11:13-14, Acts 15:28-29)
Coincidentally, this is also when Paul first began baptizing. (Acts 16:15 "And when she was baptized ....") Paul did not baptize on his first missionary journey and it was only after the meeting in Jerusalem (Acts 15) that he started the practice. He baptized on three occasions (Acts 16:15, 33, 18:8).
However, these customs of the Jews that Paul was performing did not have anything to do with the spiritual condition of individuals. These people were complete in Christ upon salvation (Gal. 3:1-3).
Here is the reason why Paul practiced Jewish customs during Acts.
1 Corinthians 9:
[16] For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
[17] For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
[18] What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
[19] For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
[20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
[21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
[22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
[23] And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Romans 11:13-14 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
Paul practiced these customs to help reach the Jews, he even took a Jewish vow (Acts 18:18). However, these ordinances/customs of the Jews and apostles meant NOTHING spiritually speaking.
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Ephesians 2:13-16 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Colossians 2:13-23 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Philippians 3:
[2] Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
[3] For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
[4] Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
[5] Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
[6] Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
[7] But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
[8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
[9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Therefore, I do not believe that Paul was "ignorant" about anything during Acts. I just realize that Paul began following Jewish customs and such after Acts 15 to not be a stumbling block to the apostles and Jews (Acts 15:1-2, 28-29, 16:1-3). Paul did those things "because of the Jews" (Acts 16:3) and "for the gospel's sake" (1 Cor. 9:23).
That is why Paul said in 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." Christ did not send Paul to baptize anybody, but rather to preach the gospel. However, to not be a stumbling block to the Jewish apostles, he DID start baptizing after the meeting in Jerusalem (Acts 15). Though Christ did not tell Paul to baptize, He did tell him to provoke the Jews to emulation and do follow their customs "for the gospel's sake" (Rom. 11:13-14, 1 Cor. 9:23).
Here are the references to Paul baptizing, starting after the meeting in Jerusalem.
Acts 16:
[13] And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
[14] And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
[15] And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Acts 16:
[26] And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
[27] And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
[28] But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
[29] Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
[30] And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
[31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
[32] And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
[33] And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Acts 18:
[5] And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
[6] And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
[7] And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
[8] And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
Those were the only times Paul ever baptized and he only started the practice after the meeting in Jerusalem. Paul, no doubt, started the practice to help keep fellowship with the kingdom apostles. They were zealous of the law (Acts 21:20) and Paul wanted to not be an offense to them or the other Jews (1 Cor. 9:16-23). Paul practiced those customs "for the gospel's sake". But look at Paul's attitude toward water baptism....
1 Corinthians 1:
[10] Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
[11] For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
[12] Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
[13] Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
[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.
There is no record of Paul baptizing after he made that statement. Christ sent Paul not to baptize, He did not tell him to do it. And now that the transition is over, we have "one baptism" (not water baptism) that God has united us and called us with and it is SPIRITUAL, not physical. We do not have authority to baptize, Paul was not directly told to baptize (1 Cor. 1:17), and so we should not participate in it. Rather, we should set our affection on things above and be found in Christ, not having our own righteousness (Col. 2:6-3:4, Phil. 3:2-9).
Read Col. 2:6-3:4 and Phil. 3:2-9. http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/kjv/browse.html
Next my friend said ". Irregardless of why people think Paul baptized, the truth stands that he and his co-laborers did baptize in this present age and it wasn't for the remission of sins or to form a royal priesthood. If the mode was vital, it would have been revealed. "
Well I already covered the reason why Paul baptized and that he was NOT just "ignorant".
There is no record of Paul's co-laborers baptizing, only Paul himself. (Paul didn't even keep up with how many he had baptized and apparently didn't care--1 Cor. 1:13-17)
I agree with my friend, the mode of baptism is not important. However, typically, Baptists want baptism to be by immersion and Bereans want it to have been by pouring/sprinkling. Those who are undecided on whether or not they are Berean or Baptist usually say that the mode does not matter--which I honestly do not think that it does.
--Eli "Hoss" Caldwell
I really enjoy hearing about the open-mindedness of my friend and his willingness to allow the Bible to be his authority rather than denomination and religion.
As for the purpose of the book of Acts, it is to record the fall of Israel. At the beginning of the book of Acts, Israel was being offered the gospel of the kingdom (Acts 1:6-7, Acts 3:19-26) but when they blasphemed the Holy Ghost in Acts 7 with the stoning of Stephen, Israel fell and was cast away (Acts 6-7, 13:36, 18:6, 28:28, Romans 9-11). According to Romans 11, the purpose of Paul's Acts ministry was to provoke the unbelieving Jews to jealousy and accept the gospel (Romans 11).
As my friend stated, MAD does have its own errors. No sect of Christianity is perfect in its doctrine. If we believe the King James Bible as it stands, not "correcting it", and rightly divide it (2 Tim. 2:15) we should do fairly well as far as our doctrine is concerned.
As for my friend's statements about water baptism......
"The Noble Bereans say that there is no legitimate use of water baptism in the present age."
That is correct. In the present age, God has appointed one baptism as part of our calling and unity, that we are to walk worthy of, and I am not aware of any other baptism being commanded.
Ephesians 4:
[1] I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
[2] With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
[3] Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
[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.
The things mentioned in the list above are the spiritual components of our spiritual calling and walk in the body of Christ. I know that the items on the list are spiritual and not physical because it is the "unity of the SPIRIT". Also, the calling we have is "not according to our works" (2 Tim. 1:9), if the baptism is a physical baptism that we perform than that IS a calling according to our works (but it is not). If our "local church only" (Baptist Brider) friends are correct and the body of Christ is actually the "local new testament church" than that is a calling according to our works. For we must assemble ourselves together to have a local church. However, nothing on the list is physical NOR is it according to our works.
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,
Therefore the "one baptism" is a SPIRITUAL baptism and not water baptism. This "one baptism" is done "by one Spirit" and is "through the faith of the operation of God".
1 Corinthians 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.
Colossians 2:
[6] As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
[7] Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
[8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
[9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
[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.
This spiritual baptism makes us "complete" in Christ, therefore we know that this baptism is not water baptism because we are not "made perfect by the flesh" but rather we are made perfect by the Spirit upon the hearing of faith (Gal. 3:1-3).
Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles and he is the one that Christ dispensed the revelation of the mystery and the gospel of the grace of God to (1 Cor. 2:7, 4:1, 15:1-4, Gal. 1:11-12, Rom. 11:13, 11:25, 15:16, 16:25, Eph. 1:9, 3:1-9, 5:32, 6:19, Col. 1:24-28, 2:2, 4:3, 1 Tim. 1:11-16, 3:9, 2 Tim. 1:9-11, 2:7, 2:15).
Therefore we are commanded to follow Paul. (1 Cor. 4:16, 11:1, Phil. 3:17)
Paul does not command us to water baptize and he basically says nothing about it, other than he was sent not to do it (1 Cor. 1:17). Since Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, does not tell us to water baptize, than we must not be suppose to do it.
The spiritual calling and unity of the body of Christ that we are to keep only involves "one baptism", therefore we must not have any other baptism as far as God is concerned. If we endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit, which is only one baptism, than why should we introduce water baptism into our churches without scriptural authority? I do not believe we should, rather, we should walk as we received Christ (Col. 2:6).
Next, my friend states "The Noble Bereans say that there is no legitimate use of water baptism in the present age. Too bad Paul didn't know that! Oh yeah, that's right, Paul stumbled ignorantly through the Acts period doing stuff he didn't know he shouldn't."
I do not believe that Paul was ignorant during the Acts period, neither do I know anyone that thinks he was.
Acts was a transition period where God was using Paul as a provoking instrument to help reach the Jews....
Romans 9:
[1] I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
[2] That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
[3] For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Romans 11:
[5] Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
[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.
[7] What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
Romans 11:
[12] Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
[13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
[14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
[15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
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.
Acts was the time of Israel's casting away in blindness. God was using Paul to provoke the "remnant according to the election of grace" to believe the new gospel dispensed to Paul (Gal. 1:11-12, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Rom. 16:25). During this time of transition, Paul would do things to help reach the Jewish remnant as long as it would not obscure the gospel....
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.
Acts 15:
[22] Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
[23] And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
[24] Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
[25] It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
[26] Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[27] We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
[28] For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
[29] That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
There were some things during the Acts period that Paul did to help the Jews out and not offend them. The kingdom apostles were still temple attending, non-pork eating, law keeping, etc. Jews according to Acts 2:46, 10:9-45, 15:28-29, 21:18-20. These apostles of the circumcision (preaching the gospel of the circumcision--Gal. 2:7-8) were still keeping the law. Paul did not want to be an offense to the Jews and the apostles so he adopted some of their customs as long as it would not compromise the gospel. (as he was commanded--Rom. 11:13-14, Acts 15:28-29)
For example.....
Acts 16:
[1] Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
[2] Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
[3] Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
Paul had just gotten a argument with some Jews in Acts 15:1-2 over the circumcision debate...and now he is practicing circumcision! Why??? "Because of the Jews". Paul realized that to make the Jews and apostles happy, he should practice their customs to not be a stumbling block to them. (Romans 11:13-14, Acts 15:28-29)
Coincidentally, this is also when Paul first began baptizing. (Acts 16:15 "And when she was baptized ....") Paul did not baptize on his first missionary journey and it was only after the meeting in Jerusalem (Acts 15) that he started the practice. He baptized on three occasions (Acts 16:15, 33, 18:8).
However, these customs of the Jews that Paul was performing did not have anything to do with the spiritual condition of individuals. These people were complete in Christ upon salvation (Gal. 3:1-3).
Here is the reason why Paul practiced Jewish customs during Acts.
1 Corinthians 9:
[16] For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!
[17] For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.
[18] What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
[19] For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
[20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
[21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
[22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
[23] And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
Romans 11:13-14 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
Paul practiced these customs to help reach the Jews, he even took a Jewish vow (Acts 18:18). However, these ordinances/customs of the Jews and apostles meant NOTHING spiritually speaking.
Romans 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Ephesians 2:13-16 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Colossians 2:13-23 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Philippians 3:
[2] Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.
[3] For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
[4] Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
[5] Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
[6] Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
[7] But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
[8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
[9] And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Therefore, I do not believe that Paul was "ignorant" about anything during Acts. I just realize that Paul began following Jewish customs and such after Acts 15 to not be a stumbling block to the apostles and Jews (Acts 15:1-2, 28-29, 16:1-3). Paul did those things "because of the Jews" (Acts 16:3) and "for the gospel's sake" (1 Cor. 9:23).
That is why Paul said in 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." Christ did not send Paul to baptize anybody, but rather to preach the gospel. However, to not be a stumbling block to the Jewish apostles, he DID start baptizing after the meeting in Jerusalem (Acts 15). Though Christ did not tell Paul to baptize, He did tell him to provoke the Jews to emulation and do follow their customs "for the gospel's sake" (Rom. 11:13-14, 1 Cor. 9:23).
Here are the references to Paul baptizing, starting after the meeting in Jerusalem.
Acts 16:
[13] And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither.
[14] And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
[15] And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Acts 16:
[26] And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.
[27] And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
[28] But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
[29] Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
[30] And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
[31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
[32] And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
[33] And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Acts 18:
[5] And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
[6] And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
[7] And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
[8] And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
Those were the only times Paul ever baptized and he only started the practice after the meeting in Jerusalem. Paul, no doubt, started the practice to help keep fellowship with the kingdom apostles. They were zealous of the law (Acts 21:20) and Paul wanted to not be an offense to them or the other Jews (1 Cor. 9:16-23). Paul practiced those customs "for the gospel's sake". But look at Paul's attitude toward water baptism....
1 Corinthians 1:
[10] Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
[11] For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
[12] Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
[13] Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
[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.
There is no record of Paul baptizing after he made that statement. Christ sent Paul not to baptize, He did not tell him to do it. And now that the transition is over, we have "one baptism" (not water baptism) that God has united us and called us with and it is SPIRITUAL, not physical. We do not have authority to baptize, Paul was not directly told to baptize (1 Cor. 1:17), and so we should not participate in it. Rather, we should set our affection on things above and be found in Christ, not having our own righteousness (Col. 2:6-3:4, Phil. 3:2-9).
Read Col. 2:6-3:4 and Phil. 3:2-9. http://quod.lib.umich.edu/k/kjv/browse.html
Next my friend said ". Irregardless of why people think Paul baptized, the truth stands that he and his co-laborers did baptize in this present age and it wasn't for the remission of sins or to form a royal priesthood. If the mode was vital, it would have been revealed. "
Well I already covered the reason why Paul baptized and that he was NOT just "ignorant".
There is no record of Paul's co-laborers baptizing, only Paul himself. (Paul didn't even keep up with how many he had baptized and apparently didn't care--1 Cor. 1:13-17)
I agree with my friend, the mode of baptism is not important. However, typically, Baptists want baptism to be by immersion and Bereans want it to have been by pouring/sprinkling. Those who are undecided on whether or not they are Berean or Baptist usually say that the mode does not matter--which I honestly do not think that it does.
--Eli "Hoss" Caldwell
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