When Were The Twelve Baptized?

[Tychicum]

I post primarily to spur people to think about what they believe ... not just follow the crowd but really listen to God's word.

Hear ... from a brother in Christ ... J.C.O'Hair

WHEN WERE THE TWELVE BAPTIZED?​

Some dispensational Bible teachers teach that the Jews; including the twelve apostles, who were converted while Jesus Christ was on earth, received “kingdom” water baptism. They say “Christian” baptism began on the day of Pentecost when the Body of Christ began. Then they claim that the twelve apostles, with the one hundred and twenty, were the first believers to be baptized into the Body of Christ. But then they run into trouble, because they admit that the Twelve were not re-baptized. Of course, they have more trouble with the message of Peter on the day of Pentecost and the sale of their houses and lots. Acts 2:41 to 43— Acts 4:34.

These brethren, without Divine authority, twist Acts 2:38 as they do Mark 16:14 to 16. They preach “repent and receive the Holy Spirit and be baptized with water,” not even quoting the words “for the remission of sins.” They forget about “the sale of their property.” They say that was a kingdom program. They preach “he that believeth and is saved shall be baptized”—“no signs.”

You may ask any intelligent spiritual “grace” preacher, “Does water baptism help to save a sinner?” “Will water baptism help get any one into the true Bible Church?” “Does water baptism have any merit or value to help the believer’s standing in Christ?” “Does the believer have to prove to God or to man that he is saved by receiving water baptism?” To every question there will be a. prompt, dogmatic, unmistakable “no.” If there had been any value whatever to water baptism in connection with the Pauline gospel of grace by which we are saved, that greatest of all soul -winners, instead of saying “I thank God I baptized only a few of you” would have baptized every believer he saw and he would have boasted about it.

‘There is something radically wrong with all of the different water ceremonies practiced by evangelical Christians. It is high time that some of the Bible teachers in the groups of Fundamentalists, who are not afraid of men, should rescue their fellow Fundamentalists from their inconsistencies and faulty dispensationalism. and learn why Christians are wholly disregarding Ephesians 4:3 to 6.

FOLLOWING CHRIST IN BAPTISM​

Now and then some “grace” messenger calls upon his followers to follow the Lord Jesus in baptism. The Lord Jesus was circumcised thirty years before He was baptized. Luke 2:17 to 27. Right after He was baptized He went on the Jewish sabbath into the Jewish synagogue, as had been His custom. Luke 4:16. He told the Jews to whom He ministered to obey the law and find the priest and present a gift. Matthew 8:1 to 4. Matthew 23:1 to 3.

While Jesus Christ was on earth He was a minister of the circumcision, under the law, sent only to Israel, preaching “the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” healing the sick. Romans 15:8—Matthew 15:24—Galatians 4:4—Luke 19:9—Matthew 10:5 to 8. While Jesus of Nazareth was being, approved by God in the midst of Israel with sins and miracles, (Acts 2:22), so far as the Divine Record is concerned, only one Gentile man received a blessing from Him and that man loved the Jews and built them a synagogue. Luke 7:1 to 8. Should we tell believers to follow Jesus in circumcism or to the Jewish synagogue on the Jewish sabbath, or just in the matter of baptism?

Note Matthew 10:5, “go not to Gentiles.” If we are to go back to Jesus on earth for our program, we will certainly run into an Old Testament religious Jewish program. Going the other side of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus we shall find the priests, offerings, sacrifices, the scribes and Pharisees in Moses’ seat. We shall not find the dispensation of grace for Gentiles or membership in the Body of Christ. Let us not join with those whose slogan is “back to Jesus,” for we are seated with Him in the heavenlies where He is far above. Let us not go back to the land of the Jews under the law. Shall we go back to where Jesus called the Gentiles “dogs”? Matthew 15:25 to 27.

Some years after Christ died God opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles. Acts 14:27. Paul was “the apostle to the Gentiles.” He said, “Christ sent me not to baptize.” Paul never once intimated that water baptism was a witness to the world that a member of Christ’s Body had been baptized into the death of Christ, buried and raised with Him. The baptism of Romans 6:3 and 4 is both meritorious and efficacious and if there is any water there, water baptism made saints out of sinners.

We quote Romans 6:3 and 4:

“Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

With these verses read Colossians 2:11 and 12:

“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.”
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27.

Then note Ephesians 4:5:

ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM”​

All of these baptisms refer to one and the same Divine baptism by which a believer is baptized into Christ, into the death of Christ, into the resurrected Christ, into the Body of Christ. Colossians 2:11. Is God’s explanation of the baptism of Colossians 2:12, “without hands”? This Divine baptism makes the believer a member of the true Bible Church and makes him complete in Christ. Colossians 2:10.

SEVERAL BAPTISMS—ONE BAPTISM​

Most “grace” preachers claim that we are working under the “great commission” of Matthew 28:19 and 20 and that we are to baptize with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, after believers are made members of the Body of Christ by Holy Spirit baptism. But they do not know what for. Many defend their practice because “it is too late to change.” But not one of the dozen or more water baptism theories can be proved by the Bible rightly divided.

They cannot prove their practice by the Bible, except by corrupting some Scriptures and wholly ignoring other Scriptures. In addition to the baptism of Matthew 28:19 and 20, which most Christians claim to be “Christian” baptism, note the three baptisms of Luke 3:16:

“JOHN ANSWERED, SAYING UNTO THEM ALL, I INDEED BAPTIZE YOU WITH WATER, BUT ONE MIGHTIER THAN I COMETH, THE LATCHET OF WHOSE SHOES I AM NOT WORTHY TO UNLOOSE: HE SHALL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH FIRE.”
“WATER”—“HOLY SPIRIT”—“FIRE”—THREE BAPTISMS.

Now note the fourth baptism of Luke 12:50:
“But I have a baptism to be baptized with: and how am I straitened till it be accomplished.”

This is Christ’s baptism on the cross “DEATH”. Including Matthew 28 we have five baptisms. But we read in Ephesians 4:3 to 6:

“ENDEAVOURING TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE. THERE IS ONE BODY AND ONE SPIRIT, EVEN AS YE ARE CALLED IN ONE HOPE OF YOUR CALLING: ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL, WHO IS ABOVE ALL AND THROUGH ALL, AND IN YOU ALL.”

Which of the five baptisms of Luke and Matthew is the ONE BAPTISM of Ephesians 4:51 The one Divine baptism of Ephesians 4:5 is the “death” baptism of Romans 6:3 and Colossians 2:12.

It is significant that when Christ mentioned His “death” baptism He gave this order to His apostles

“Then charged He His disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.” Matthew 16:20. Christ, in the twelfth chapter of Luke, mentioned His “death” baptism. Death baptism is mentioned in Romans 6:3 and 4.

Now check up on this interesting fact, there is no water baptism in the last twelve chapters of Luke, after Christ mentioned His “death” baptism. There is no record that any one received water baptism after Paul wrote of the “death” baptism of Romans 6:3 and 4.

Why did John baptize with water? “And I knew Him not: but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.” John 1:31. What did Christ say in Matthew 16:20? “Then charged He His disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.” After that there was no need for water baptism as long as this order stood.

But later on, what happened! “Then said Jesus, Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” After this prayer the same Jews who were denounced as “serpents,” “vipers” and “hypocrites” in Matthew 23 were tenderly and affectionately addressed as children of the covenant in Acts 3:17 and 25.

Christ’s order of Matthew 16:20 was rescinded. The Lord began anew with Israel on the day of Pentecost. Note Acts 2:36:

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, Whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Surely the Lord began anew with Israel on the day of Pentecost. Strange! Here the twelve apostles did the very thing they were told not to do in Matthew 16:20. They testified to Israel that Jesus was Christ. So did Paul in Acts 9:20 and in Acts 17:3 and 4. Why? Because of Christ’s prayer on the cross.

 

[eph3Nine]

I post primarily to spur people to think about what they believe ... not just follow the crowd but really listen to God's word.

Hear ... from a brother in Christ ... J.C.O'Hair

WHEN WERE THE TWELVE BAPTIZED?​

Some dispensational Bible teachers teach that the Jews; including the twelve apostles, who were converted while Jesus Christ was on earth, received “kingdom” water baptism. They say “Christian” baptism began on the day of Pentecost when the Body of Christ began. Then they claim that the twelve apostles, with the one hundred and twenty, were the first believers to be baptized into the Body of Christ. But then they run into trouble, because they admit that the Twelve were not re-baptized. Of course, they have more trouble with the message of Peter on the day of Pentecost and the sale of their houses and lots. Acts 2:41 to 43— Acts 4:34.

These brethren, without Divine authority, twist Acts 2:38 as they do Mark 16:14 to 16. They preach “repent and receive the Holy Spirit and be baptized with water,” not even quoting the words “for the remission of sins.” They forget about “the sale of their property.” They say that was a kingdom program. They preach “he that believeth and is saved shall be baptized”—“no signs.”

You may ask any intelligent spiritual “grace” preacher, “Does water baptism help to save a sinner?” “Will water baptism help get any one into the true Bible Church?” “Does water baptism have any merit or value to help the believer’s standing in Christ?” “Does the believer have to prove to God or to man that he is saved by receiving water baptism?” To every question there will be a. prompt, dogmatic, unmistakable “no.” If there had been any value whatever to water baptism in connection with the Pauline gospel of grace by which we are saved, that greatest of all soul -winners, instead of saying “I thank God I baptized only a few of you” would have baptized every believer he saw and he would have boasted about it.

‘There is something radically wrong with all of the different water ceremonies practiced by evangelical Christians. It is high time that some of the Bible teachers in the groups of Fundamentalists, who are not afraid of men, should rescue their fellow Fundamentalists from their inconsistencies and faulty dispensationalism. and learn why Christians are wholly disregarding Ephesians 4:3 to 6.

FOLLOWING CHRIST IN BAPTISM​

Now and then some “grace” messenger calls upon his followers to follow the Lord Jesus in baptism. The Lord Jesus was circumcised thirty years before He was baptized. Luke 2:17 to 27. Right after He was baptized He went on the Jewish sabbath into the Jewish synagogue, as had been His custom. Luke 4:16. He told the Jews to whom He ministered to obey the law and find the priest and present a gift. Matthew 8:1 to 4. Matthew 23:1 to 3.

While Jesus Christ was on earth He was a minister of the circumcision, under the law, sent only to Israel, preaching “the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” healing the sick. Romans 15:8—Matthew 15:24—Galatians 4:4—Luke 19:9—Matthew 10:5 to 8. While Jesus of Nazareth was being, approved by God in the midst of Israel with sins and miracles, (Acts 2:22), so far as the Divine Record is concerned, only one Gentile man received a blessing from Him and that man loved the Jews and built them a synagogue. Luke 7:1 to 8. Should we tell believers to follow Jesus in circumcism or to the Jewish synagogue on the Jewish sabbath, or just in the matter of baptism?

Note Matthew 10:5, “go not to Gentiles.” If we are to go back to Jesus on earth for our program, we will certainly run into an Old Testament religious Jewish program. Going the other side of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus we shall find the priests, offerings, sacrifices, the scribes and Pharisees in Moses’ seat. We shall not find the dispensation of grace for Gentiles or membership in the Body of Christ. Let us not join with those whose slogan is “back to Jesus,” for we are seated with Him in the heavenlies where He is far above. Let us not go back to the land of the Jews under the law. Shall we go back to where Jesus called the Gentiles “dogs”? Matthew 15:25 to 27.

Some years after Christ died God opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles. Acts 14:27. Paul was “the apostle to the Gentiles.” He said, “Christ sent me not to baptize.” Paul never once intimated that water baptism was a witness to the world that a member of Christ’s Body had been baptized into the death of Christ, buried and raised with Him. The baptism of Romans 6:3 and 4 is both meritorious and efficacious and if there is any water there, water baptism made saints out of sinners.

We quote Romans 6:3 and 4:

“Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

With these verses read Colossians 2:11 and 12:

“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.”
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27.

Then note Ephesians 4:5:

ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM”​

All of these baptisms refer to one and the same Divine baptism by which a believer is baptized into Christ, into the death of Christ, into the resurrected Christ, into the Body of Christ. Colossians 2:11. Is God’s explanation of the baptism of Colossians 2:12, “without hands”? This Divine baptism makes the believer a member of the true Bible Church and makes him complete in Christ. Colossians 2:10.

SEVERAL BAPTISMS—ONE BAPTISM​

Most “grace” preachers claim that we are working under the “great commission” of Matthew 28:19 and 20 and that we are to baptize with water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, after believers are made members of the Body of Christ by Holy Spirit baptism. But they do not know what for. Many defend their practice because “it is too late to change.” But not one of the dozen or more water baptism theories can be proved by the Bible rightly divided.

They cannot prove their practice by the Bible, except by corrupting some Scriptures and wholly ignoring other Scriptures. In addition to the baptism of Matthew 28:19 and 20, which most Christians claim to be “Christian” baptism, note the three baptisms of Luke 3:16:

“JOHN ANSWERED, SAYING UNTO THEM ALL, I INDEED BAPTIZE YOU WITH WATER, BUT ONE MIGHTIER THAN I COMETH, THE LATCHET OF WHOSE SHOES I AM NOT WORTHY TO UNLOOSE: HE SHALL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY GHOST AND WITH FIRE.”
“WATER”—“HOLY SPIRIT”—“FIRE”—THREE BAPTISMS.

Now note the fourth baptism of Luke 12:50:
“But I have a baptism to be baptized with: and how am I straitened till it be accomplished.”

This is Christ’s baptism on the cross “DEATH”. Including Matthew 28 we have five baptisms. But we read in Ephesians 4:3 to 6:

“ENDEAVOURING TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE. THERE IS ONE BODY AND ONE SPIRIT, EVEN AS YE ARE CALLED IN ONE HOPE OF YOUR CALLING: ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL, WHO IS ABOVE ALL AND THROUGH ALL, AND IN YOU ALL.”

Which of the five baptisms of Luke and Matthew is the ONE BAPTISM of Ephesians 4:51 The one Divine baptism of Ephesians 4:5 is the “death” baptism of Romans 6:3 and Colossians 2:12.

It is significant that when Christ mentioned His “death” baptism He gave this order to His apostles

“Then charged He His disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.” Matthew 16:20. Christ, in the twelfth chapter of Luke, mentioned His “death” baptism. Death baptism is mentioned in Romans 6:3 and 4.

Now check up on this interesting fact, there is no water baptism in the last twelve chapters of Luke, after Christ mentioned His “death” baptism. There is no record that any one received water baptism after Paul wrote of the “death” baptism of Romans 6:3 and 4.

Why did John baptize with water? “And I knew Him not: but that He should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.” John 1:31. What did Christ say in Matthew 16:20? “Then charged He His disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.” After that there was no need for water baptism as long as this order stood.

But later on, what happened! “Then said Jesus, Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.” After this prayer the same Jews who were denounced as “serpents,” “vipers” and “hypocrites” in Matthew 23 were tenderly and affectionately addressed as children of the covenant in Acts 3:17 and 25.

Christ’s order of Matthew 16:20 was rescinded. The Lord began anew with Israel on the day of Pentecost. Note Acts 2:36:

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, Whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Surely the Lord began anew with Israel on the day of Pentecost. Strange! Here the twelve apostles did the very thing they were told not to do in Matthew 16:20. They testified to Israel that Jesus was Christ. So did Paul in Acts 9:20 and in Acts 17:3 and 4. Why? Because of Christ’s prayer on the cross.

Boy oh boy...but this really is an edifying post with tons of good information that is dispensationally sound. Thanks so much for posting it.

 

[heymikey80]

f there had been any value whatever to water baptism in connection with the Pauline gospel of grace by which we are saved, that greatest of all soul -winners, instead of saying “I thank God I baptized only a few of you” would have baptized every believer he saw and he would have boasted about it.

Paul's regret over baptism was explicitly because baptism by specific Apostles was causing one-upmanship among the church at Corinth. Like kids on the playground comparing "Who's got the coolest shoes?" the believers at Corinth were splitting into cliques and the cliques were shunning one another. "I'm of Paul", "I'm of Peter", "I'm of Apollos", "I'm of Christ".

Paul even regretted their Supper, their congregating together, their practice of liberty, their treatment of the Apostles' teaching, and their allowing women to speak out in worship. Why? It wasn't for salvation reasons. They were tearing apart Christ's Body -- and with practices that were intended to bring that Body together! For good!

Baptism is not simply the Spirit's work; nor is it simply the physical work of pouring water, nor the physical element of the water. Baptism is an ordinance (and because the Spirit is involved, it's a sacrament) that connects them all together like a signature on a contract.

 

[eph3Nine]

Originally Posted by Tychicum
If there had been any value whatever to water baptism in connection with the Pauline gospel of grace by which we are saved, that greatest of all soul -winners, instead of saying “I thank God I baptized only a few of you” would have baptized every believer he saw and he would have boasted about it.

Amen to that! Plus the simple fact that once he was made aware, Paul STOPPED!

 

[GLJCA]

Some dispensational Bible teachers teach that the Jews; including the twelve apostles, who were converted while Jesus Christ was on earth, received “kingdom” water baptism. They say “Christian” baptism began on the day of Pentecost when the Body of Christ began. Then they claim that the twelve apostles, with the one hundred and twenty, were the first believers to be baptized into the Body of Christ. But then they run into trouble, because they admit that the Twelve were not re-baptized. Of course, they have more trouble with the message of Peter on the day of Pentecost and the sale of their houses and lots. Acts 2:41 to 43— Acts 4:34.

Someone who talks about rebaptism shows a lack of understanding of what baptism really is. As circumcision was the sign of covenant membership in the OT, baptism is the sign of New Covenant membership.

Eight days after a child was born in Israel he was circumcized. After he became of age and was able to decide for himself the belief he would follow was he recircumcized? Absolutely not.

Circumcision was a sign that God required in the OT. Baptism is a sign that God requires in the New Covenant. The parallels between the two are undeniable.

You may ask any intelligent spiritual “grace” preacher, “Does water baptism help to save a sinner?” “Will water baptism help get any one into the true Bible Church?” “Does water baptism have any merit or value to help the believer’s standing in Christ?” “Does the believer have to prove to God or to man that he is saved by receiving water baptism?” To every question there will be a. prompt, dogmatic, unmistakable “no.” If there had been any value whatever to water baptism in connection with the Pauline gospel of grace by which we are saved, that greatest of all soul -winners, instead of saying “I thank God I baptized only a few of you” would have baptized every believer he saw and he would have boasted about it.

Again baptism is the sign of covenant membership. It was required under the Old Covenant to the extent that if you refuse to be circumcized you could not be one of the people of God. God required it in the New Covenant to the extent that our sins being remitted is connected to it. Why?

No one outside of the Old Covenant people of God had the privilege of having their sins forgiven. The person outside of the covenant of God had no choice but to live, die, and go to Hell. Only the covenant people of God had the privilege of having their sins forgiven. That is why Jesus told the women at the well that salvation was of the Jews. No one else had that salvation.

No one outside of the Church of Jesus Christ has the privilege of having their sins washed by the blood of Christ. One has to be placed into the body of Christ for that privilege to be real to them. Baptism does not save us by doing something magical in us, but it puts us into the body of Christ where the blood of the New Covenant can cleanse us of sin. It places us into the body of Christ where salvation is. No one can enter into the New Covenant apart from doing what God commanded us to do, baptism.

I also want to comment on the statement that Paul only baptized a few. This statement made to the Corinthian church. This does not mean that Paul did not baptize at all in other areas. In the book of Acts Paul baptized many many people. This is another one of MAD's errors because of a lack of biblical understanding. Paul was baptized.

Ac 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Paul baptized Crispus.

Ac 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.

Again Paul baptized the disciples of John
Ac 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Ac 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Ac 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Paul recounting his own baptism long after he was given the so called different gospel shows what Baptism does.
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Here again Paul talks about baptizing Cripus but also shows that he baptized others also.
1Co 1:14 ¶ I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
1Co 1:15 Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
1Co 1:16 And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

The idea that baptism was not important to Paul is a big time error.

The Bible teaches us that through baptism our sins are remitted not that the water does anything to us but it places us into the body of Christ where the blood of Christ can cleanse us.
Ac 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Ac 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord

If we say that this is not true then we are speaking against the Word of God and I for one am not going to do that.

Should we tell believers to follow Jesus in circumcism or to the Jewish synagogue on the Jewish sabbath, or just in the matter of baptism?

This is a really silly argument, in that circumcision was done away with in Christ. It was only a shadow of the blood that was shed on the cross. Now that the blood of Christ has been shed circumcision has been replaced by baptism, a non-bloody ceremony, just as the Passover, a blood rite, was replaced by the Lord's Supper, which does not require blood. Again this shows a supreme lack of understanding of baptism and circumcision.

Not once did this gentleman show proof that the Rom 6:3-4 and Col 2:11-12 were not speaking of water baptism. There is no way to prove it because it is speaking of water baptism.

We are commanded to be water baptized. We are never commanded in scripture to be spirit baptized. We have no control over that baptism. The Holy Spirit baptizes us into the body of Christ when we are water baptized. If we refuse water baptism then the Holy Spirit can not place us into the body of Christ because we are refusing the sign of New Covenant membership. Colossians 2:11-12 equates circumcision with baptism. The one who refused circumcision was cast out of the people of God, without exception. It is presumptous to believe that the same will not happen to the one who refuses baptism.

GLJCA

 

[Tychicum]

Someone who talks about rebaptism shows a lack of understanding of what baptism really is. As circumcision was the sign of covenant membership in the OT, baptism is the sign of New Covenant membership.

So your church doesn't baptize women? Interesting.

Even the superficial student of the Bible knows that Abram was declared righteous in uncircumcision. (Romans 4:7 - 10)

At that time the Scriptures foresaw that God would justify heathen, in Paul’s day, by faith without religion, law, or circumcision. (Galatians 3:8 and Rom¬ans 4:7 -10)

Therefore, such an argument that baptism is a replacement for circumcision would rule out baptism for Gentiles. Gentiles were never under the circumcision.

And again, no girls were circumcised. Therefore, no girls should be baptized. But men and women were both baptized, in Acts 8.

Again while Jesus Christ was on earth, no man was baptized who had not first been circumcised.

Peter got into trouble for baptizing uncircumcised Cornelius. (Acts 11:1 - 6).

Circumcision was practiced among Christian Jews just as far into the “Acts” period as was water baptism.

.

 

[Tychicum]

Paul's regret over baptism was explicitly because baptism by specific Apostles was causing one-upmanship among the church at Corinth. Like kids on the playground comparing "Who's got the coolest shoes?" the believers at Corinth were splitting into cliques and the cliques were shunning one another. "I'm of Paul", "I'm of Peter", "I'm of Apollos", "I'm of Christ".

Paul's rant was against all forms of sectarianism ... what you call "cliques" is known today as "denominations".

.

 

[Tychicum]

GLJCA ... always interested in others views ... does your denomination teach that baptism is "necessary" to salvation?

How about pedobaptism ... ? Do you baptize infants?

Water baptism and signs are found together in the New Testament Scriptures, except that John the Baptist performed no miracles and Christ did no baptizing.

In Paul’s Prison Epistles we find no water baptism and neither signs nor tongues nor sign healings. We find different gifts to the Body and one Divine baptism in Ephesians chapter 4.

I believe the Holy Spirit knew that water baptism confusion would detract from the unity of the Spirit ... as does tongues etc. Therefore all such 'religion' was discontinued.

The more I study the more I realize that today ...for us ... God really does not want us to practice any form of "religion" ...



.

 

[foundinHim]

Amen...Tychicum!

It is so sad that man's rituals, ordinances, and traditions are still being practiced to-day, instead of hearing and believing what God says to be saved.

"religion" is the opposite of "godliness".

 

[Tychicum]

Now to be clear ... I don't believe it is "against" God to get baptized in a great big tank of water.

But it's purpose is so often misstated that it is likely better to not be baptised by water ... than to think water somehow "saves" you.

And ... no where in scripture is baptism mentioned as some kind of "witness" to those saved or unsaved for that matter. That is purely concocted by those who can't find any purpose for the ritual. Which is still OK and isn't going to harm anyone ... as long as they explain it fully to those who might be influenced by the action ... the onlookers.

Today so many people confuse baptism water rituals with the actions of the Holy Spirit on the believer at the very moment he or she is saved baptizing that person into the Body of Christ ... which by it's very nature is supernatural ... that it is a shame preachers don't take the few minutes it would take to explain it to them.

It is as wrong as stating that a bunch of crackers and grape juice is the very body and blood of our Lord.

They elevate ritual and as such detract from the Lord.

.

 

[heymikey80]

Paul's rant was against all forms of sectarianism ... what you call "cliques" is known today as "denominations".

And what chapter & verse allowed you to make that connection?

Plenty of denominations practice "open communion" and accept other denominations into their definition of "a reasonable church". And few rise to the point of creating an Apostle of division from their own imaginations (though I could be persuaded otherwise about certain churches). The modern divisiveness that characterizes denominations was prescribed by John Locke as an understanding of churches that dealt with religious toleration.

 

[yeshuasavedme]

Paul's regret over baptism was explicitly because baptism by specific Apostles was causing one-upmanship among the church at Corinth. Like kids on the playground comparing "Who's got the coolest shoes?" the believers at Corinth were splitting into cliques and the cliques were shunning one another. "I'm of Paul", "I'm of Peter", "I'm of Apollos", "I'm of Christ".

Paul even regretted their Supper, their congregating together, their practice of liberty, their treatment of the Apostles' teaching, and their allowing women to speak out in worship. Why? It wasn't for salvation reasons. They were tearing apart Christ's Body -- and with practices that were intended to bring that Body together! For good!

Baptism is not simply the Spirit's work; nor is it simply the physical work of pouring water, nor the physical element of the water. Baptism is an ordinance (and because the Spirit is involved, it's a sacrament) that connects them all together like a signature on a contract.

And Paul never had the authority to repeal a command of Jesus Christ.
If he had tried it he would have been a blasphemer and false prophet. But he never did any such thing, and never in all Scripture is that command of Jesus Christ repealed, and will not be, until we all "come to the perfect man" and the harvest is gathered of sons from this resent creation and the creation is regenerated.
As long as there is an Adam person to be brought into the kingdom of God by faith in the name of Jesus Christ, there will be the command of Jesus Christ to baptize them in water, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

 

[eph3Nine]

While Jesus Christ was on earth He was a minister of the circumcision, under the law, sent only to Israel, preaching “the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” healing the sick. Romans 15:8—Matthew 15:24—Galatians 4:4—Luke 19:9—Matthew 10:5 to 8. While Jesus of Nazareth was being, approved by God in the midst of Israel with sins and miracles, (Acts 2:22), so far as the Divine Record is concerned, only one Gentile man received a blessing from Him and that man loved the Jews and built them a synagogue. Luke 7:1 to 8. Should we tell believers to follow Jesus in circumcism or to the Jewish synagogue on the Jewish sabbath, or just in the matter of baptism?

Note Matthew 10:5, “go not to Gentiles.” If we are to go back to Jesus on earth for our program, we will certainly run into an Old Testament religious Jewish program. Going the other side of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus we shall find the priests, offerings, sacrifices, the scribes and Pharisees in Moses’ seat. We shall not find the dispensation of grace for Gentiles or membership in the Body of Christ. Let us not join with those whose slogan is “back to Jesus,” for we are seated with Him in the heavenlies where He is far above. Let us not go back to the land of the Jews under the law. Shall we go back to where Jesus called the Gentiles “dogs”? Matthew 15:25 to 27.

Some years after Christ died God opened a door of faith unto the Gentiles. Acts 14:27. Paul was “the apostle to the Gentiles.” He said, “Christ sent me not to baptize.” Paul never once intimated that water baptism was a witness to the world that a member of Christ’s Body had been baptized into the death of Christ, buried and raised with Him. The baptism of Romans 6:3 and 4 is both meritorious and efficacious and if there is any water there, water baptism made saints out of sinners.

We quote Romans 6:3 and 4:

“Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

With these verses read Colossians 2:11 and 12:

“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.”
“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27.

Then note Ephesians 4:5: