Mid-Acts Dispensational water baptism debate.

Mid-Acts Dispensational water baptism debate.

All Mid-Acts Dispensationalists agree that the present age that is called "grace" rather than Law began with Paul when Christ gave him the "glorious gospel"/"gospel of the grace of God" in Acts chapter nine at his conversion (Eph. 3:2, Rom. 6:14, 1 Tim. 1:11-16, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, 2 Cor. 4:4, Gal.1:11-12, Gal. 2:7-8, Acts 20:24). The Lord dispensed to Paul the "mystery of Christ" (Eph. 3:1-9, Rom. 16:25) and then that is when God's program for Jews and Gentiles to be of the same body began, which was a fellowship that had been hid in God (Eph. 3:9, Col. 1:24-28).

For more details about what M.A.D is, see these posts. 

Why I believe the Body of Christ began with Paul.
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2015/01/why-i-believe-body-of-christ-began-with.html 

Are there any NT books not written TO us? 
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/are-there-any-nt-books-not-written-to-us.html

Galatians 2:7-9: Did Peter and Paul have different gospels?  
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/galatians-27-9-did-peter-and-paul-have.html

Important Bible facts
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/important-bible-facts.html

"A CHRISTIAN VIEW" by Steve Finnell 
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-christian-view-by-steve-finnell.html

How to "rightly divide the word of truth"
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/how-to-rightly-divide-word-of-truth.html 

John 17:6-26--"in Christ"
http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/john-176-26-in-christ.html 
 
Anyway, some Mid-Acts Dispensationalists disagree among themselves about which ordinances of the Law and Gospel of the Kingdom are still in operation today.

1.) The signs of the Kingdom of Heaven (tongues, healing, etc.) ceased when the elect remnant of Israel was in the Body of Christ and the Jews were no longer being provoked to believe (Rom. 11:1-15, 1 Cor. 1:22, Exod. 4:8, John 4:48, 1 Cor. 9:16-20, Acts 28:25-28). Those signs, such as healing, had ceased after Acts was over (Phil. 2:27, 1 Tim. 5:23, 2 Tim. 4:20).

2.) Nobody that believed the gospel of the grace of God was required to follow the Law anymore (Gal. 2-6, Rom. 6-7, Eph. 2, Col. 2, etc.) but sometimes Paul and others would keep it in order to make the Jews happy (1 Cor. 9:16-20, Acts 15:28-29, Acts 16:3, Acts 18:18, Acts 18:21, Acts 21:26).

3.)  The Gospel of the Kingdom that the 12 apostles preached required forgiving others in order to be forgiven, water baptism, being faithful unto death/enduring to the end, and selling all earthly possessions (Matthew 6:11-34, 10:22-33, 18:35, 19:16-23, Mark 1:3-5, 6:7-9, 10:21, 16:16, Luke 3:3, 7:29-30, 9:1-4, 12:21-33, Acts 2:38, 2:44-46, 3:2-6, 4:32-37, 5:1-11, Rev. 2:11, 2:17, 2:26, 3:5, 3:8, 3:12, 3:21, 12:17, 14:12, 15:2, 22:18-19). The Gospel of the Grace of God ("glorious gospel") does not require works and is by grace through faith (1 Cor. 1:17, Acts 26:15-20, Rom. 3-5, Gal. 2-3, Eph. 1:7, Eph. 1:13-14, Eph. 2:8-9, Eph. 3:17, Eph. 4:30-32, 2 Tim. 2:11-13, Rom. 8:8, 2 Tim. 1:9, Titus 3:4-7, Rom. 11:6, Titus 1:15-16, 1 Cor. 15:1-4, Acts 13:38-39, Acts 16:31).

With that in mind, the uniqueness of the ministry that Christ gave to Paul requires "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).

During Acts Paul did some Jewish ordinances such as circumcision, observed feasts, vowed, purified himself, and other things (1 Cor. 9:16-20, Acts 15:28-29, Acts 16:3, Acts 18:18, Acts 18:21, Acts 21:26). He did these things in order to not be an offense to the Jews and to provoke them to jealousy (Rom. 11:1-15, 1 Cor. 9:16-20), not to continue the covenant/sign of circumcision and such. For Paul, after Acts 28:28, declared the Jewish ordinances "dung", "tradition of men", "rudiments of the world", and "commandments and doctrines of men". Those things were to "perish" and they were "not after Christ" (Col. 2:10-23, Phil. 3:1-9).

Christ also used Paul to give the baptism with the Holy Ghost which gave power to believers to perform miracles (Acts 1:5-8, 2:4, 19:6), but this was not for the same purpose as the 12 apostles did it. The 12 did it to fulfill Old Testament prophecy in fulfillment of the New Covenant that God will fully implement at the 2nd Advent (Joel 2, Acts 2:16-21, Jer. 31:31-34, Jer. 32:36-42, Jer. 33:4-18, Ezek. 11:14-21, Ezek. 36:12-38, Ezek. 37:1-14, Ezek. 37:21-28). Paul later declared, after Acts 28, that the Body of Christ only has "one baptism" in the "unity of the Spirit", which is not the baptism "with the Holy Ghost" performed by Christ. The "one baptism" in the unity of the Spirit now is the baptism "by one Spirit" into Christ that joins the believer to the Lord (1 Cor. 6:15-17, 12:12-14, Col. 2:10-12, Gal. 3:26-28, Rom. 6:3-4).

So here is where the water baptism debate comes in. Was water baptism one of the ordinances of the Gospel of the Kingdom that passed away after Acts 28? We know that ALL scripture is profitable for doctrine (2 Tim. 3:16-17, Rom. 15:4) but we also know that the word of truth must be rightly divided (2 Tim. 2:15). Using scriptures such as Matthew 3, John 1, or Acts 2 would not be acceptable for us to use to enforce the practice of water baptism today (Rom. 15:8, Matt. 10:5-6, Matt. 15:22-26, John 1:11). We must look to Paul's epistles since he is the one that Christ revealed the mystery and made him the apostles of the Gentiles (1 Cor. 4:1, 1 Cor. 4:16, Rom. 11:13, Rom. 15:16, Rom. 16:25, Eph. 3:1-9, Eph. 5:22-32, Col. 1:24-28, Phil. 3:17, 1 Tim. 1:11-16, 2 Tim. 1:9-11, 2 Tim. 2:7). Paul was the "pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him [Christ] to life everlasting".

It is recorded that Paul water baptized on three occasions and they were all during the Acts period, they were also said to be after the meeting in Jerusalem.

Paul first baptizes in Acts 16:15. In the context Paul has just attended a meeting in Jerusalem concerning the Gentiles having to observe Jewish ordinances. The counsel in Acts 15 did not tell Paul to start practicing water baptism, here is what they told him to observe...

Acts 15:
[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.

The commandments of the Law that the Holy Ghost in accord with the apostles and elders (who had been baptized with the Holy Ghost) gave Paul were these:

1.) Abstain from fornication (which is the law in all ages)
2.) Abstain from meats offered to idols
3.) Abstain from eating/drinking blood
4.) Abstain from strangled meat

Paul elaborates on meats offered to idols in 1 Corinthians 8 and 9.

1 Corinthians 8:
[4] As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
[5] For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
[6] But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
[7] Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
[8] But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
[9] But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
[10] For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
[11] And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
[12] But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
[13] Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

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;

Both passages are rather self explanatory, the issue is not whether or not God cares about what you eat. The issue was whether or not the eating of certain things would "OFFEND" the Jews. The believers of the Gospel of the Kingdom were zealous of the Law (Acts 2:46, 3:1, 10:9-28, 21:17-26) and some of the believers of the Gospel of the Kingdom even believed that circumcision was a requirement for salvation (Acts 15:1-5). So Paul, in light of the meeting in Acts 15, decides to start observing some of the Jewish ordinances that he did not observe prior to the meeting. Look what Paul does starting into Acts chapter 16.

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 circumcised Timothy because he did not want to be an offense to the Jews, even though it was not one of the four things that the council in Acts 15 told Paul to follow. Paul had other Jewish practices as well.

Acts 18:18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

Acts 18:21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he sailed from Ephesus.

Acts 21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purifcation, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.

Paul observed different elements of the Law in different situations. We saw him observe vows, feasts, circumcision, purification, and offerings. In the midst of this we also see Paul practicing water baptism on three occasions.

Acts 16:15 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 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

Acts 18:8 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.

To find out if water baptism should be practiced today we must look to the context of each of the instances where Paul baptized, but more than that we must look to what Paul says about water baptism in his epistles.

Paul's first baptizing was him baptizing a Gentile proselyte (a proselyte is a Gentile that converted to Judaism--Matt 23:15, Acts 2:10, 6:5, 13:43)....

"And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. 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. 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. 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 16:12-15)

As of the meeting in Acts 15, Paul has decided to start practicing Jewish ordinances to not be an offense to the brethren. Just twelve verses back, Paul circumcised Timothy "because of the Jews" (16:3). Here we see Paul baptize for the first time and it is a proselyte that was already worshiping God before she believed the gospel. Could being a proselyte have anything to do with Paul baptizing? Let's look at the last two references to Paul water baptizing and see.

"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. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway." (Acts 16:27-33)

There is no evidence in Acts 16 that the Philippian jailer was a proselyte nor that he already worshiped God like we see with Lydia. In Philippians 3:3 Paul does refer to himself and the Philippian church as "the circumcision", which means that the church was full of Jews and proselytes. This would include the Philippian jailer.

[Some interpret Philippians 3:3 to be a reference to a so called "spiritual Israel/circumcision". It is true that each member of the Body of Christ has been spiritually circumcised (Col. 2:11), but I never see Paul refer to the Body of Christ as some sort of "true circumcision" or "the circumcision". That title is used for distinguishing between Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2:11) but the title is not given to those in the Body of Christ (Gal. 5:6, 6:15) which is neither Jew nor Gentile (Gal. 3:26-28). What Paul is doing in Philippians 3 is distinguishing between the unbelieving Jews "the concision" (vs.2) and the believers "which worship God in the Spirit" (vs.3). Paul spends a great deal of time in Philippians 3 warning against having confidence in the Jewish ordinances (Phil. 3:1-9) which would not make sense if the Philippian church did not have a significant amount of Jews and proselytes.]

Our next reference to Paul water baptizing is Acts 18:8.

"And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 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. 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. 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." (Acts 18:5-8)

The Corinthians were obviously proselyted Gentiles that formerly worshiped idols (1 Cor. 12:2) but had started worshiping the true God (Acts 18:7-8) and then they were led to Christ by Paul.

Now that we have looked at the historical record of Paul baptizing on those three occasions, let's look at what Paul says about water baptism in his epistles.

Water baptism is only mentioned by Paul one time out of all thirteen of his epistles, and it is in a negative context.

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.

As we can see, Paul had rather of not baptized anybody if it were to become a divisive issue (vs 14-15). Paul did not consider water baptism important enough to keep a record of it (v.16). What Paul says in verse 17 is most interesting as it reveals that Christ did not tell Paul to baptize his converts. Paul was sent not to baptize.

(Note: this proves that Paul was not under the same sending/commission as the 12 apostles and John the Baptists because they WERE sent to baptize with water--John 1:33, Mark 16:15-16, Matt. 28:19)

Since Paul was not told to go baptize his converts, this proves that it is not a practice that Christ established for the church which is His body (1 Cor. 6:15-17, Eph. 1:22-23). Some of our Baptist friends suggest that Paul really meant that he was just "primarily sent to preach the gospel", but that is not what the verse said. It says that Christ sent Paul NOT TO BAPTIZE. But if it makes our Baptist friends happy, we can look and see what all Paul WAS sent to do.

Here is Paul's conversion and sending. 

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.

WHAT WAS PAUL SENT TO DO? : "I send thee, 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"

WHAT WAS PAUL SENT NOT TO DO? : "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.) So does water baptism open your eyes? No. The Spirit does that with the word of God (Eph. 6:17, 1 Cor. 2:10-14, Heb. 4:12-13)
 
2.) So does water baptism turn you from darkness unto light? No. God does that when you believe (Col. 1:13-14, John 3:14-19)
 
3.) So does water baptism turn you from the power of Satan unto God? No. It is the preaching of the cross, 1 Corinthians 1:18 "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God"
 
4.) So does water baptism make you receive the forgiveness of sins? No. ANSWER: Acts 13:38-39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
 
5.) So is water baptism a work meet repentance? No. It use to be under the gospel of the Kingdom (Matt. 3:6), but now we only have one baptism and it is done by the Holy Spirit (Col. 2:10-12, 1 Cor. 12:12-14, Eph. 4:1-6, 1 Cor. 1:17).

Paul said that telling the Gentiles to do "works meet for repentance" was part of being obedient to his sending (Acts 26:17-20), but he said that water baptism was not one of those things in his sending (1 Cor. 1:17). Therefore we have no basis for trying to make water baptism one of the things new converts should do and it is not one of the things that accompanies repentance in this age.

"now I send thee....Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But shewed first unto them....that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance."

"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."

 

From Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 1:17, we now know that Paul baptized  those Gentile proselytes in order to please the believers of the Gospel of the Kingdom which were "zealous of the Law" (Acts 21:18-20) and wanted all converts to be water baptized (Acts 22:16). 

 

Paul only gives doctrine in his epistles on "one baptism". This is the baptism that helps form believers together in the "UNITY OF THE SPIRIT", it is an "OPERATION OF GOD", and it is "BY ONE SPIRIT". 

 

1 Corinthians 6:15-17  Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

 

1 Corinthians 12:12-14  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. 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. For the body is not one member, but many.

 

Colossians 2:10-12 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 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: 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.

 

That baptism by the Spirit joins the believer to the Lord, the believer is then part of Christ's body, crucified/buried/risen/seated with Him. (Eph. 1:22-23, 2:6, 3:1-9, 4:16, 5:22-32, Rom. 6:3-4, Gal. 2:16-21, 3:26-28). 

 

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.

Our calling and the unity of the Spirit only has "one baptism". That means that to make water baptism part of the believer's calling would be wrong. The believer is not called to be water baptized, it is outside of the "vocation" because it is not spiritual and outside of the unity of the Spirit. Paul says that the spiritual calling of the believer is "not according to our works", which again excludes all works from the gospel, not just water baptism.

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,
[10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
[11] Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

 

So in light of Ephesians 4:1-6 and 2 Timothy 1:9-11, water baptism does not have any part in the believers standing in Christ. Though the list of "ones" in Ephesians 4:1-6 is describing the "unity of the Spirit" and the standing/calling of the believer and cannot be applied to all physical aspects of life, we are still instructed to keep that unity and calling and walk worthy of it. 

 

Therefore without any teaching or instructions in the Bible telling us to water baptize we would be wise in not taking up the practice. There are no longer any believers of the Gospel of the Kingdom and we are no longer trying to provoke an elect remnant of Israel into believing the gospel of the grace of God.

 

Here is an outline of the water baptisms of Paul vs the occasions where he did not baptize.

 

ACTS 9: Paul preaches boldly proving that Jesus was the Christ (9:22-30). No water baptizing.

ACTS 12: Paul fulfilled his ministry without baptizing (12:25).

ACTS 13: Paul preaches to a large crowd of Jews and Gentiles both. No baptizing. (13:1-52)

ACTS 14: Paul preaches to Gentiles (14:1-28) because the "door of faith" had been opened to them. No baptizing.

ACTS 15: Paul has a dispute with a sect of the Kingdom believers who taught circumcision was a requirement for salvation. Paul is told to teach the Gentiles to abstain from fornication, and things strangled, offered to idols, and blood. 

ACTS 16: Paul preaches the gospel, circumcises Timothy, casts out a devil, and water baptizes for the first time. Those he baptized were proselytes.

ACTS 17: Paul preaches to the heathen Gentiles and does not baptize those that believed.

ACTS 18: Paul preaches to Jews and Gentiles. Paul baptizes the proselytes and never baptizes again. This is also were Paul observes a Jewish vow and feast day (18:18-21).

ACTS 19-28: Paul preaches the gospel, heals the sick, accidentally takes up a serpent, meets the Angel of the Lord (Christ), and then closes out the provoking of the elect remnant of Israel (Acts 28:24-28). No baptizing. 

 

My conclusion: Water baptism is not something that we should practice today since the Bible does not instruct us to do so.

Some of my Mid-Acts Dispensational Baptist friends have accused me of not being reasonable in my conclusion and that I have been illogical. Here is what they say: 

"You ASSUME that Paul only baptized when the Bible records it. I guess he only preached a few messages that are recorded in Acts. Based on your illogical reasoning, the 5,000 in Acts 4:4 were NOT baptized because it isn't recorded. You link verses together based on the same words regardless of context. I am sorry, but I have yet to see evidence in your writings that you know how to expound the scriptures."

I think this accusation is kind of funny myself. Some how my friend says that because I do not believe that Paul baptized all of his converts that I am making assumptions. But it is just the opposite. I believe that Paul baptized when the Bible says that he baptized--that is not assumption, that is Bible. Anything more than that is assumption. I have seen no reason to believe that Paul baptized everyone of his converts when he was not told to do so (1 Cor. 1:17). It is also interesting to point out that when the Bibles that Paul baptized "many" people, he mentions it in his letter to them (1 Cor. 1). 

I have no idea what my friend means by Paul only preaching a few messages in Acts. Almost every chapter that Paul is in mentions that he preached there.

The 5,000 in Acts 4:4? Well Acts 4:2 says that they "taught the people" and what the 12 apostles were told to do was "teach all nations, baptizing them" (Matt. 28:19). Peter's gospel included water baptism (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:38) so anytime in Acts where one of the twelve preached the gospel, you can be assured that the preached water baptism. My friend is comparing apples to oranges, for this would not be the case with Paul (1 Cor. 1:17, Eph. 1:13). 

As for my capabilities to expound the scriptures, that is not the issue. I am a college student that has only been saved for four years, I would be crazy for even attempting to "expound" anything in the Bible. The issue is what does the Bible reveal about water baptism for Gentiles "under grace" in the church which is the Body of Christ? (Rom. 6:14, Eph. 1:22-23, Eph. 3:1-9) You do not have to be a "Bible scholar" to answer that simple question.

My friend continues:

"Were all the Corinthians prosyletes? MANY of them that believed were baptized (Acts 18:8) AFTER Paul departed from the synagogue and began preaching to the Gentiles (Acts 18:6). Paul said to them, “Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols” (1 Cor. 12:2). " 

I am not sure what the point is there, but yes I agree that all the Corinthians were worshiping idols before they started "worshiping God" in the synagogue. That is kind of the definition of proselyting to Judaism. 

Lastly my friend says: 

"The WORKS that are meet for repentance include many things (Eph. 2:10). Everything in Acts 26:18 is accomplished through believing the gospel. Paul was sent to preach the gospel and because baptism is not part of the gospel he was sent not to baptize. To say that he didn't tell converts to be baptized after believing the gospel is contrary to the biblical record (Acts 16, 18). Doing works meet for repentance is not the gospel. " I agree with everything said there. Paul was obedient to his sending by telling the Gentiles to do works meet for repentance, yet he was sent not to baptize (Acts 26:15-20 with 1 Corinthians 1:17). This excludes water baptism from having your eyes opened, turning from, darkness unto light, turning from Satan unto God, the forgiveness of sins, and works meet for repentance. 

PART 2: Mode of baptism, sprinkling.

Why I believe sprinkling is the correct mode of water baptism.

As stated in this post http://av1611studyblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/immersion-pouring-sprinkling-baptism.html the word "baptize" does not mean "immerse" in neither English nor Greek. The word baptism does not have one single meaning. You must look at the context.

I believe that water baptism in the Bible is by sprinkling, not immersion.

Baptism was a figure of the washing away of sins, though it did not literally wash them away. It was the "answer of a good conscience toward God", therefore it was for people who were already saved because you cannot be obedient to God in works nor answer Him with a good conscience if you are lost.

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:

Titus 1:15-16 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Obviously water baptism was for saved people, water baptism only saved in a "like figure". A figure not being real salvation, "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh". Water baptism was for someone that already had a good conscience toward God.

What was water baptism a figure of? Some say that it represents the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, but I have never seen that in the Bible. It is the baptism by the Holy Spirit, an operation of God, that spiritually joins the believer to the Lord making them "one spirit"....united in Christ's death/burial/resurrection (1 Cor. 6:15-17, 12:12-13, Col. 2:10-13, Gal. 3:26-28).

Water baptism was a "like figure" of the "putting away of the filth of the flesh"....Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Water baptism was figurative of the washing away of sins. A symbol of purification.

So was this by immersion or sprinkling? The cleansing brought about by the blood of Christ is associated with sprinkling, not immersion.

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
 

1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

As you can see, Christ's blood is what makes Israel saved under the New Covenant and it is said to be sprinkled on the believing Jews.....and that washing was what water baptism was a figure of. Therefore I conclude that water baptism was by sprinkling. Notice also this reference in Hebrews, though not directly mentioning baptism, it does mention the conscience and a washing with water which causes me to believe it is speaking of water baptism. (cross reference 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)

Hebrews 10:19-22 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

The Jews got their hearts "sprinkled from an evil conscience" when they put their faith in Christ, His blood being applied to them and being sanctified by the Spirit (1 Pet. 1:2).

The Hebrews were sprinkled with blood under the Old Covenant that God made with them: Exodus 24:8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words.

Israel was also sprinkled under the New Covenant both spiritually by the blood of Christ and figuratively by water baptism.  (notice the word "conscience")

Hebrews 9:
[11] But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
[12] Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
[13] For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
[14] How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
[15] And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

Notice those words "the purifying of the flesh" in regards to the Old Covenant blood of bulls and goats. The Bible calls water baptism "purifying" in John chapter three.

John 3:
[22] After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized.
[23] And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
[24] For John was not yet cast into prison.
[25] Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying.
[26] And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
[27] John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
[28] Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

The question that John's disciples and the Jews had about baptizing is what the Bible calls a question about "purifying". In Numbers 19 we read about the sprinkling of water as a symbol purifying (Numb. 19:1-22). Also see Numbers 8:7--"And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them..."

Another reference linking water baptism with sprinkling is found in Isaiah 52.

Isaiah 52:14-15 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men: So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

Isaiah 53:4-5 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Christ being wounded/bruised, His visage being marred more than any man, is connected with Him sprinkling the nations. There is also a prophecy in Ezekiel of Israel being brought under the New Covenant after the Tribulation and it is said that He will "sprinkle clean water" upon them (Ezek. 36:25). The gospel of the Kingdom (Matt. 4:23, 9:35, Mark 1:14) was to go to all nations in the Tribulation (Matt. 24:13-14, 28:19-20), again connecting baptism with sprinkling.

The Jews were expecting the Christ to baptize when He came (John 1:25), apparently they thought that He would be doing the sprinkling Himself rather than through the apostles (John 4:2). 

Another reason why baptism was probably by sprinkling is that God's plan for Israel was to for them to be a holy nation of kings and priests (Exod. 19:6, Isa. 61:6, Hos. 1:5-11, Rev. 1:5, Rev. 5:10, 1 Pet. 2:5, 1 Pet. 2:9-10) and a priest had to be sprinkled (Num. 8:5-7, Lev. 8:4-6, Exod. 29:4).

Some say that since John baptized where there was "much water" that the mode of baptism must have been by pouring or immersion. However, it makes since that if you have hundreds of people that you are baptizing that you would stand in the water and let them line up to be baptized. Else you would have to have people going back and forth drawing buckets of water. Joshua 3:11-15 shows that phrases such as "into Jordan" and "in the waters of Jordan" can refer to those who are only "dipped in the brim of the water".

Though there is no scripture that directly states that water baptism was by immersion or by sprinkling, I believe that the Biblical evidence proves sprinkling to have been the mode of water baptism.

--Eli Caldwell