Why I am not a Baptist

I am not a Baptist, and if I were I would be ashamed to say it.

Baptists (in general) preach false gospels, follow the Law, believe the Body of Christ replaced Israel, give themselves the same title as God's name, they believe that you should pray for Christ to establish His earthly Kingdom, and they believe that the commission of the gospel of the Kingdom is for us to follow.


1.) False gospel of the Baptists

Baptists believe that you are sealed with the Holy Spirit upon praying a special confession that they write themselves that cannot be found in the Bible. Some even say that this saving prayer that they came up with must be said in front of men or else it will not save you. The Baptist position is that when you pray (in front of a Baptist congregation) the confession that they wrote then Christ (in heaven) will confess your name before the Father and the angels. This is called a SACRAMENT and has no scriptural authority whatsoever.

The Scripture that the Baptists give for this false gospel is Matthew 10:32-33 where the Lord said "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." 

However, the Baptists took the verses CLEAR OUT OF THE CONTEXT. The context is the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom in the Tribulation when the Kingdom of Heaven is hand!

Matthew 10:
[1] And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
[2] Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
[3] Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
[4] Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
[5] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
[6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
[7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
[8] Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
[9] Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
[10] Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
[11] And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, inquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
[12] And when ye come into an house, salute it.
[13] And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
[14] And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
[15] Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
[16] Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
[17] But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues;
[18] And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.
[19] But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
[20] For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
[21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
[22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
[23] But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.

The context of the passage proves the Baptists to be very dishonest:

1.) The passage said NOT to preach that gospel to the Gentiles (verses 5-6), but the Baptists preach it to anyone and everyone.

2.) The passage said to raise the dead, heal the sick, cast out devils, etc. But the Baptists do not do those things.

3.) The passage said that the Kingdom of Heaven is hand, but it isn't (Rom. 11:25-27). 

4.) The passage is about enduring to the end of the Tribulation without denying the true Christ to be saved (verses 16-23, 32-33).

5.) The passage said to those preaching that gospel that you cannot own money or have two sets of clothes. (because you cannot buy or sell in the Tribulation and money won't do you any good--Revelation 13:17)

6.) The passage did not give a special prayer to recite before men in order to be saved.


Do you really want to be a Baptist?

The TRUE gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24) is found here:

1 Corinthians 15:
[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
[2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
[3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
[4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Acts 13:
[38] Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
[39] And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.

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,


2.) The Baptists believe that we are under the Law and will be cursed for not following it.

The Baptists believe that we must tithe 10% of our income to their local church rather than follow what the Bible says. The Baptist preachers say that if you do not give 10% of your income to their church then God will curse you because you robbed Him. They call this "tithing".

However, what does the Bible actually say?

2 Corinthians 9:
[6] But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
[7] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
[8] And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

What does the Bible say about the "tithe"? 

Here are twenty points on "tithing" from Pastor David O'Steen:

"1. The English word "tithe" means a tenth (compare Gen. 14:20 with Heb. 7:4). Most churches preach tithing as a means of supporting their ministry. There are variations in how they teach this is to be done. Some pay the local church one tenth of their income after taxes and bills are paid; some pay before. Others demand tithing on unemployment, inheritance, gifts, tax refunds, social security and even gambling winnings. The tithing issue has caused a great deal of strife and division in our churches over the years. 

2. Perhaps the most well known passage on tithing is Malachi 3:8-12. This passage is the proof text for "Storehouse Tithing." Simply stated, the congregation is exhorted to channel all of their giving through the local church (storehouse). If they want to give to a Christian organization, radio or television broadcast, etc., it must go through their denominational machinery in order for the local church to get "credit." Also the pastor and elders often must make the determination if the cause supported by the giver is "worthy." 

3. This use of the Malachi passage is a good example of Scripture being taken out of its historical and dispensational context. "This whole nation" in verse 9 is the backslidden nation of Israel, NOT the present day church (Mal. 1:1; 3:6). They were under the law of Moses as a system of conditional blessing (obey=blessed; disobey=cursed). The blessings of keeping the law had to do with Israel's LAND (3:11-12). Believers today are not under the law but under grace (Rom. 6:14; 7:4-6). As such we have already been blessed by God with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Eph.1:3). 

4. This should put an end to the common charge that believers who don't tithe are "robbing God" and will be "cursed with a curse." God did not command us to tithe so how could we be robbing Him by not doing what He never told us to do? We cannot be cursed by the law for not tithing (Mal. 3:9) as members of the body of Christ (Gal. 3:13). The storehouse mentioned in verse 10 is not a local church but a storage bin or silo in the Jewish temple where the grain from the Hebrew's tithes was stored (2 Chron. 31:4-12). 

5. Under the law only agricultural products were tithed. They included grain, fruit, and livestock. Only products produced within the boundaries of the land of Israel were to be tithed (Lev. 27:30-34). 

6. Others exempt from the tithing law included the hired hands, fishermen, miners, lumber workers, construction workers, soldiers, weavers, potters, manufacturers, merchants, government workers, and priests. In short, all who were not farmers were exempt. 

7. A farmer with only 9 cattle did not tithe because the law specified the "tenth which passeth under the rod." Likewise a farmer with 19 sheep paid only 1 sheep to the Lord's tithe. 

8. The Jewish farmers in the land could redeem (buy back) the tithes of their crops with a penalty of one fifth. In other words, if a farmer wanted to keep his tithe of grain worth $1,000, he could pay the cash equivalent of $1,200 (Lev. 27:31). 

9. Livestock could not be brought back nor could the farmer exchange a good animal for a bad one or vice versa. Any attempt to substitute any other animal other than the tenth which passed under the rod would be penalized by the farmer forfeiting both the tenth and its substitute (Lev. 27:33). 

10. God ordained the Levites to be the ones to whom the tithe was paid (Num. 18:21). They were one of the 12 tribes of Israel to whom no inheritance was given in the land. The Lord Himself and the tithes of the children of Israel was their inheritance. It was used for the service of the tabernacle (later the temple) (Num. 18:20-28). 

11. It was unlawful for anyone outside of the tribe of Levi to receive the tithe, such as prophets, preachers, kings or evangelists. 

12. The Levites paid one tenth of their tithes to the high priest. Not all Levites were priests but only the sons of Aaron. The priests did not tithe. 

13. The Lord Jesus Christ did not ask for or receive a tithe for support of His ministry. Being of the tribe of Judah (not Levi) He could not without breaking the law (Heb. 7:14; Rev. 5:5). 

14. Neither Peter (not of the tribe of Levi) nor Paul (of the tribe of Benjamin) could receive tithes for the support of their ministries. 

15. Even the Jews do not practice tithing today because there are no Levites, priests, or temple worship in Jerusalem. Jewish rabbis know biblical law well enough to know that tithing under the present circumstances is unlawful. According to them, when the temple is rebuilt in Jerusalem with a consecrated altar with priests and Levites officiating, all Jews living within the biblical tithing zones will tithe. 

16. Those that teach tithing is binding on believers today use the argument that it predates Moses and the law. But this reasoning is not valid, for the Sabbath also predates the giving of the law (Ex.16:23-29) and yet it is not binding on God's people today (Rom. 14:5-6; Gal. 4:9-10; Col. 2:16-17). 

17. Abraham gave tithes to Melchisedec, king of Salem, but this was the spoils of war, not the legalistic tithe of the land which Moses commanded. Also, God did not command the tithe, Abraham chose to give it of his own free will (Gen. 14:17-23; Heb. 7:1-10). 

18. The only other scriptural reference to tithing before Moses is Jacob. Again there is no command to tithe. In fact Jacob puts up numerous conditions to be met before he will pay the tithe to the Lord (Gen. 28:20-22). 

19. The biblical references which address the tithing issues are: Gen. 14:20; 28:22; Lev. 27:30-32; Num. 18:20-32; Deut. 12:6-7, 11-12, 17; 14:22-23,28-29; 26:12-15; 2 Chron. 31:1-12; Amos 4:4-5; Mal. 3:8-12; Matt. 23:23; Lk. 11:42; 18:12; Heb. 7:5-10.

20. Paul the apostle to the Gentiles for this present dispensation of Grace does not mention tithing but says a great deal about grace giving (Rom. 15:25,26; 1 Cor. 9:7-14; 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 8 & 9; Gal. 6:6-10; Phil. 4:10-19; 1 Tim.  5:9-18). " --Pastor David O'Steen

We cannot be cursed by the Law, it is an utter impossibility.....

Galatians 3:

[12] And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
[13] Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
[14] That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

 

We are NOT under the law, we are under grace:

 

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

 

Romans 7:4-6 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

 

Galatians 4:9-11 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

 

Galatians 5:1-6 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

 

Galatians 5:13-18 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

 

Galatians 6:12-15 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward:

 

Colossians 2:
[13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
[14] 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;
[15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
[16] 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:
[17] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
[18] 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,
[19] 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.
[20] 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,
[21] (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
[22] Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
[23] 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.

PAUL SAYS THAT YOUR "TITHING" IS DUNG!

Philippians 3:
[1] Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
[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, 

Another element of the Law that the Baptists love is the "altar". Altars in the Bible are for sacrificing to animals, but the Baptists say that it is actually something you get on to pray. The Baptists have the superstitious belief that if they lean on a wooden "altar" when they pray that it is somehow a better prayer or more pleasing to God. A lot of Baptists say that this is where you should come to recite their confession that you must pray in front of the church in order to be saved. Of course none of this altar stuff is anywhere in the Bible for us to follow. 

Paul says that we are the temple of the Holy Ghost and are members of Christ, we do not need to go to an altar to get closer to God. (1 Cor. 12:12-13, 1 Cor. 6:15-20, Eph. 5:23-32, etc.)


3.) The Baptists believe that they are the Bride of the Lamb, which is to say that they believe that the Body of Christ (church) replaced Israel. 

Israel is the bride as clearly stated:

1.) Israel became the wife of God under the old covenant (Jer. 2:1-2)

2.) She constantly committed spiritual adultery against Him with her idolatry (Jer. 3; Ezek. 16)
3.) After much longsuffering He gave her a bill of divorcement (Isa. 50:1; Jer. 3:8)

4.) He promised to betroth her again as a virgin bride (Isa. 54:6-8; 62:1-5; Hos. 2:14-23)

5.) Christ presented Himself to Israel as a Bridegroom but He was rejected by her (Jn. 1:31; 3:29)

6.) When He comes again she will receive Him and be His bride and wife (Rev. 19:7-11)

7.) This relationship will remain in the eternal state (Rev. 21:1-2, 9-14)

(Outlined points by Pastor David O'Steen)

Some would argue that Paul taught that the Body did replace Israel, but that is not true. Paul plainly stated that God's relationship with Israel WOULD continue after the present age ceased.

Israel was castaway.....

Romans 11:
[1] I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
[2] God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
[3] Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
[4] But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
[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
[8] (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
[9] And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumbling block, and a recompence unto them:
[10] Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
[11] I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
[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?

But God will resume dealing with them.....

Romans 11:25-27 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. 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: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Paul does use the husband/wife relationship in Ephesians 5 to illustrate how husbands should love their wives, but it does not say that the Body of Christ is also the Bride of the Lamb. It simply says that Christ loved the church as His own body and gave Himself for it and that husbands should do the same for their wives.

Romans 7 uses an illustration that says if a husband is dead, the wife is free to remarry. Even so we (the Body) are DEAD to the Law to be married to Christ.

"ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another" 

That is clearly figurative because it says "married to ANOTHER". To take the passage to mean that the Body is the Bride of the Lamb would also mean that we were once the Bride of the Law.

Then 2 Corinthians 11:1-4 states that we should be as a "chaste virgin", but again this is clearly a figure. "I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ". It says "AS" a chaste virgin, which is figurative. It is a figure of purity, as Paul goes on to say "For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." 


4.)  Baptist preachers call themselves "reverend".

This title that the Baptist preachers claim is only mentioned ONE TIME in the Bible and it is talking about God's name, NOT the Baptist name.

Psalms 111:9 He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.


5.) The Baptists teach that you should pray for Christ to setup His earthly Kingdom now.

The Baptists teach that Matthew 6 is Christ speaking to the Body (church) rather than Israel. Therefore the Baptists claim the following prayer as something for them to pray:

Matthew 6:
[9] After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
[10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
[11] Give us this day our daily bread.
 
Is Christ speaking about Gentiles in the Body of Christ under grace or was He speaking to Jews under the Law when the gospel of the grace of God had not been revealed?

The gospel being preached was the "gospel of the kingdom" and had nothing to do with the death/burial/resurrection of Christ (Matt. 4:23, Matt. 9:35, Matt. 24:14, Mar. 1:4--Matt 16:21-23, Mark 9:31-32, Luke 9:44-45, Luke 18:31-34, John 20:6-10). The gospel was to Jews only (Matt. 10:5-7) and Christ was only sent to the Jews, everyone else was a "dog" (John 1:11, Matt. 15:22-26, Rom. 15:8).

Matthew 6 is not about the Body of Christ--the Kingdom has been postponed (Rom. 11:25-27).


6.) The Baptists teach that you gradually get saved and that you cannot have all your sins forgiven instantly. Progressive salvation.

Baptists teach that you must constantly ask God to forgive you in order to have forgiveness. They believe that God will never take away all your sins.

Their main proof text is Matthew 6:12-15, which I already proved was NOT written to Gentiles under grace in the New Testament.

Under the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24) you can be "justified from ALL THINGS" upon believing. You do not have to continually ask for forgiveness after that, you are already forgiven!

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.

Ephesians 1:7 In whom WE HAVE redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Ephesians 5:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake HATH forgiven you.

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you ALL trespasses;

Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ FORGAVE you, so also do ye.



7.) The Baptists teach that their baptisteries are an earthly manifestation of Christ in a mystical/superstitious way.

The Baptists say that water baptism must be by immersion and that it has to be done into a Baptist Church's baptistery in order for you to be considered "baptized into Christ". If you get baptized any other way you just got wet, it has to be into a Baptist baptistery in order to be baptism "into Christ". They believe that their is something mystical about a Baptist tank of water that will cause the believe to be put into Christ. (another sacrament)

However, the word "immersion" is not found anywhere in the Bible. Nobody is ever said to be baptized "into water", it is always said to be "WITH water". Water baptism was clearly a sprinkling (Exod. 24:8, Isa. 52:14-15, Ezek. 36:25, Acts 22:16, 1 Pet. 1:2, 1 Pet. 3:21, Heb. 10:19-22, 1 Pet. 2:5, 1 Pet. 2:9, Num. 8:5-7, Lev. 8:4-6, etc.). The Bible even referred to baptizing as "purifying" in John 3:22-28 linking it with sprinkling (Num. 8:7).

Second, water baptism is never said to be "into Christ".

Baptism into Christ is done by the Holy Spirit and is an operation of God. It is part of the "unity of the SPIRIT" (Eph. 4:5)

1 Corinthians 12:12-13 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.

Colossians 2:10-14 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. 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;

(also see Romans 6:3-4 and Galatians 3:26-28)

The idea that baptizing someone into a tank of water is baptism into Christ is not Biblical.

--Eli Caldwell