If you want to pick one confusing doctrine today it is water baptism and yet it should be one of the simplest of doctrines. And yet more time has been spend on this subject than there ever should have been (just look at all the posts!!!). There are 2 schools of thought:
1. It is essential to salvation dont want to argue this it is not
period! Seen all the verses, have had then quoted to me out of context for so long I just want to scream!
2. It is not essential to ones salvation but we are to do it because:
a. It is a picture of the death, burial, and resurrection sounds good but there is no scripture to support this fine sounding phrase. You say, It is an outward sign of an inward reality. Really? Where did you get that? Chapter and verse? Sounds good but you cant make a doctrine out of a catchy phrase.
b. It is the first step of obedience - sounds good but there is no scripture to support this fine sounding phrase.
c. It proves or demonstrates ones salvation - sounds good but there is no scripture to support this fine sounding phrase.
d. Many saints in the Bible baptized so we should sounds good but many saints did things in the Bible that we dont do anymore. We dont sacrifice lambs, we dont raise people from the dead, we dont take vows, we dont abstain from pork, etc. Yes, things change and Im glad they do!!!
e. The Lord Jesus Christ commanded it in Matt. 28:19,20 yes he did but also told you to observe all things whatsoever He had commanded and one of the things he commanded was to adhere to what the Pharisees taught and they taught the law - Matt. 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe. They taught the law and I know you believe you are not to adhere to the Old Testament law (well some of you do). (Similar to d.)
First summary all that we have been taught and practice concerning baptism has been based upon tradition and making doctrines out of poor applications. Because of these errors we have people going to hell on Acts 2:38, etc. and others trying to obey the first step of obedience and if they dont they are made to fill like second class citizens by Baptist Churches.
What I am going to present I already know most of you will not believe for a couple of reasons:
1. You want to insist on going to hell with your water baptism and nothing is going to change that!
2. You just cannot give up your tradition that has been passed down for centuries. You have made a doctrine out of a tradition.
Now this is what I believe baptism was for in the Bible. I will only discuss the word baptism as it relates to water for just because you see the word baptize it doesnt mean it is associated with water all the time. Now the Church of Christ cant see that for all they see is water, water and more water every time the word shows up in any form. For example - look at I Cor. 10:2 and Col. 2:12 and try to find water baptism there.
The first time water baptism shows up is with John the Baptist. Now why did John baptize? Lets let him tell us.
John 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
Look at therefore why is the therefore there? The issue was manifesting Christ to Israel. Christ was being manifesting to Israel for the first time. John the Baptist said (paraphrasing), Here is your Messiah! Do you believe this Ok, then get baptized. Why get baptized? To show that you believe Christ was Israels long awaited for Messiah. And along with that they were to show their repentance in regards to their rejection of God the Father in the Old Testament. Manifestation and repentance - It is that simple. And yet this simple doctrine meant for Gods dealing with Israel has turned into a monster.
Do you know why they continued to baptize during Acts? Because the Jews rejected Christ in the gospels and were getting a second chance in Acts. The Gentiles were in on it because they were getting in on Israels blessings at that time. Once Israel finally rejected the message in Acts 28 then there was no need to call everyones attention to Jesus being the Messiah for that plan was done away with and Paul was called out by God to reveal the body of Christ.
The issue of showing Christ being the Messiah is a non issue today for we have advanced revelation on the matter due to the New Testament being finally written down plus God is not dealing with Israel right now (I know, a broken record) So
..baptism is a non issue today. There is only one baptism and that is the one baptism of Ephesians 4 and that has nothing to do with water!
Again, if you start with Paul you will get it you cant start with John the Baptist and carry a practice meant for Israel all the way through the church age! You see how simple the scriptures are? You know, Christianity is full of a lot of junk today that has nothing to do with Bible Christianity. We are not Rome we dont need all of those outward ceremonies.
Conclusion If you want to baptize then fine I dont panic over people making baptism a picture of salvation, etc. You make it essential to salvation and we will go to war over that. But to use it as a picture then Im not going to make an issue out of it that is between your church and God I believe in local self-governing churches.
Wouldnt it be so much easier to stick with Ephesians 4? Look at what a stumbling block this doctrine has caused. Look at how much money has been spent on baptismal fountains!!! Could you imagine a Baptist church not being able to count their baptisms to be able to send them to the Sword of the Lord! Just kidding. I am a Baptist so I can pick on my own thank you.
God bless