Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved., 33. Peter has just recounted the story of the ark bringing Noah and his family safely through the flood waters. What Does The Bible Say About Trusting God? 20. And in fact, its not much of a stretch to see the connection between this and the water ordeals. Its the Holy Spirit working in your heart to create faith which lays hold of Christs work., The baptism that saves us is spiritual baptism, immersion in Christ, Take this in conjunction with what Paul says in Romans 9:15-16: , For He says to Moses: I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves. He is telling all the congregation to remove this immoral man who was sleeping with his fathers wife. What is baptism according to the Bible? 100+ Inspirational Bible Verses About Love What Does The Bible Say About Fake Christians? It says, Corresponding to that, baptism now saves younot the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good consciencethrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ Corresponding to what? I follow John Piper in seeing two senses of the term baptism of the Holy Spirit in Scripture. Romans 3:24-26 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. If one sees purification in any of these (certainly the Flood) whereif humanity is seen as an organic whole, or at least at a scale greater than the individual humanthe unclean, offending part is washed away and the clean part remains, then this is quite obviously analogous to the washing of an individual person. Thus, water was also seen as purifying. Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness., 39. And yet, He chose to be baptized anyway, seeing it as working toward the fulfillment of all righteousness (Matthew 3:15). And the baptism of someone who is not a believer (at least in the case of an adult, we can all agree) is no true baptism, even if he and the one baptizing him believe the baptism will effect salvation in him. As I said above, this is how I believe hes using it in the famous passage in Romans 6, where he speaks of being buried with Christ in baptism. This is opposed to the paedobaptist view which says that infants of at least one believing parent are also fit subjects of baptism. One is from Sinclair Ferguson who said said that Christ was in some sense baptized into us, His people, just as we in our baptisms are baptized into Him (Romans 6:3). So just as the ark saved Noah from the waters of wrath that had come on the world in judgment, an appeal to God for a clean conscience will bring us safely through Gods wrath in the name of Christ, and the picture of this is water baptism. Luke 3:21-22 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. I did say it would come up a lot. I have thought of and heard some interesting answers, though, so Ill pass these along. Jesus obeys where Israel failed. 50 Good Bible Verses For Birthdays In fact, I was educated in grad school by men who held to this. What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health? But this is doubtful to me for two reasons. However, it is not, in and of itself, a saving act. What is the meaning of the word baptism in the Bible?. Romans 6:4-6 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health? Sinful things are done in churches. Now, we have to recognize up front that etymology is no trump card in any but etymological discussions. Contrast this sort of baptism of the Spirit with Pauls usage of it in 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, where he says, Just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health? The flexibility of the above stance is based on a certain view of baptism which says that ultimately God is performing every true baptism (which I addressed above). Thus, infants would not be fit subjects of baptism. Its even more odd because most non-immersionists are paedobaptists, and interpreting this baptism spiritually also gets them out of the trouble of explaining the strong connection between baptism and regeneration in these verses as well as 5-10. This seems to be the case throughout the New Testament. For me as a credobaptist immersionist, this is a strong argument. This verse is taken to be a clear description of what baptism is or symbolizes. Ill come at the question from a few angles in this post, but I wont bury the lead.

What Does The Bible Say About Fake Christians? As for the verses that seem to define baptism, some only indirectly, the most prominent is 1 Peter 3:21. What mode of baptism most evokes burial? What Does The Bible Say About Haters? 15 Scriptures To Help With Hopelessness Is Smoking Marijuana Sinful? Colossians 2:11-12 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Most clear of all, perhaps, is 1 Peter 3:21 which says, Corresponding to that, baptism now saves younot the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a clean consciencethrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Mark 10:38 You dont know what you are asking, Jesus said. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God., 16. What Does The Bible Say About God's Love? Both refer to our reception of the Holy Spirit. And yet, Ill start by laying out the case for paedobaptism since that seems to be understood by fewer Christians in America (and perhaps the world) today. The odd thing to me is that not many non-immersionists seem to read this passage in the one way that would weaken the case against them. Isaiah 43:2-3 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. I have great respect for them, so I want to give their view a fair hearing. If you and I are wondering whether a certain chair would float in water and a third person walks in and informs us that the early Middle English word flot (one of the words that gave us float) meant sea, which wasnt a verb at all, so our discussion is pointless, we would easily recognize the irrelevance of his comment. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus. 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Its symbolic for the washing away of sins. This occurred as a fulfillment of a prophecy from Joel 2:28-29: It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Matthew 18:18-19 make clear that it is the gathered body of believers which wields authority on earth for Christ. If one sees purification in any of these (certainly the Flood) whereif humanity is seen as an organic whole, or at least at a scale greater than the individual humanthe unclean, offending part is washed away and the clean part remains, then this is quite obviously analogous to the washing of an individual person. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. He was perfect and sinless. Acts 2:36-38 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit., 15. 100+ Inspirational Bible Verses About Love He washed (or baptized) us in the blood of Jesus. Lets find out! The second interesting take on Jesus baptism is one I have associated with one of my professors in grad school, Douglas Wilson. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body Jews or Greeks, slaves or free and all were made to drink of one Spirit.. We are suffering and we should, because of the wrong we have done. 15 Scriptures To Help With Hopelessness Acts 16:30-34 They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be savedyou and your household. 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. Pourers and sprinklers will also point to Titus 3:5-6 in connection with Matthew 3:11, saying that Christs pouring out the Holy Spirit on us is the fulfilment of John the Baptists promise that Christ would baptize us with the Holy Spirit just as John baptized with water. I would be happy to know that its effect was to make people go to their Bibles and study the relevant verses for themselves. So that second option is ruled out and we are left with a baptism for the professing Christian. 50 Good Bible Verses For Birthdays What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health? He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life., 4. I want to tackle all of these things, if only briefly, in this post. And what is the place of church tradition or precedent in this debate? To put it briefly, baptism is a powerful symbol of cleansing. What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health? What Does The Bible Say About God's Love? A blogger at Doctrine Unites cites Dr. Meredith Klines observation that Johns baptism seems to bear strong resemblance to the water ordeals or water traversings of the Old Testament: the Red Sea crossing, the Jordan crossing, and the Noahic flood. 100+ Inspirational Bible Verses About Love Someone might say, Well then, why cant me and my two friends baptize someone since we are believers? The answer is that, if these two or three believers come together to constitute a local church, then they do have that authority, because they are a church. They argue that, for baptizo at least, the word merely refers to what is symbolized: the uniting of a believer with Christ and His body, the Church. For now, it will suffice to mention three different ways its used in the NT to give you a feel for the range of the word: been buried with Him through baptism into death, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God. What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality? This, at any rate, is an imaginative version that comes easy. The two ordinances that Jesus left with His people, the Lords Supper and baptism, belong to the church. Mark 10:38 You do not know what you are asking, Jesus replied. However, its not that they never did it; Philip baptized the Eunuch, and Paul baptized Crispus and Gaius in the Corinthians passage cited above. 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!. At least, thats what the waters symbolize. But the two pillar passages in the NT that connect baptism to OT events pick passages in which water is dangerous and a sign of judgment. Baptism is also seen as a seal of Gods promise to raise up many generations of faithful followers to his people (Deuteronomy 7:9, Acts 2:39). 1 Corinthians 10:2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea., 14. He can choose to bestow it and to withhold it. What Does The Bible Say About Haters? Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. My reading of the relevant verses leads me to a somewhat different conclusion. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. What Does The Bible Say About Fear? No one thinks these are done in heaven or approved in heaven the way the good things are. What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality? at least, the word merely refers to what is symbolized: the uniting of a believer with Christ and His body, the Church. 47. On the contrary, the Bible is clear that it is Gods choosing and saving us which puts us right with Him, He washed (or baptized) us in the blood of Jesus, baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius, For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel, For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Confessing and believing seem to be acts that only adolescents and adults can perform, not infants. Its the Holy Spirit working in your heart to create faith which lays hold of Christs work.. Baptism is the outward sign of what has been done to all believers (Titus 3:5). But more importantly, Paul saw fit to explain the connection to Jesus and His gospel before baptizing them. What if the baptism of the Spirit is, to borrow a Roman Catholic term from another doctrine, a super-added gift to the believer? 25. Once again, waters of judgment are restrained from destroying Gods people while wiping out His enemies. If there is an extreme circumstance in which only two believers exist, one can baptize the other, since in this case these two constitute a local churchas Jesus said, For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them. (Matthew 18:20) This verse is ground zero for our understanding of the church. They were forced to wander in the wilderness for forty years. Thus, infants would not be fit subjects of baptism. Most clear of all, perhaps, is 1 Peter 3:21 which says, Corresponding to that, baptism now saves younot the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a clean consciencethrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Baptism is an extraordinary symbol of being buried with Christ unto death and being resurrected with Christ in newness of life. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me? 15 Jesus replied, Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness. Then John consented. 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, Look, here is water. 100+ Inspirational Bible Verses About Love It would seem that infants cannot do this, so why should we baptize them? 50 Good Bible Verses For Birthdays As Christ was buried, so were we if we have been baptized with Him. 100+ Inspirational Bible Verses About Love No. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. Signup today and receive encouragement, updates, help, and more straight in your inbox. Dr. Kline calls them, the Christian convert, as one of Gods people, is passing through waters of harrowing and judgment by Gods power and for his glory, following him in obedience and faith. What Does The Bible Say About Fear? 50 Good Bible Verses For Birthdays So the big question Im asking in this section is why water? What is the point of immersing someone in water to show he is a Christian? Jesus himself is only affirmed by the Spirit after (and immediately after) his own baptism. Is Smoking Marijuana Sinful? And this position is common throughout other forms of Christianity. The credobaptist, by contrast, believes that Christian baptism, beginning with John the Baptist, is for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4), and sins can only by remitted or forgiven after repentance and confession (Acts 2:38, Romans 10:9). For myself, as I said above, Im not sure this verse is speaking directly about water baptism, but it does seem to make sense that water baptism should reflect as fully as possible the spiritual reality. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people., Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit, Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?, 18. Water symbolizes a believers death to sin and resurrection in Christ. Gods people made it through the otherwise impassable sea, probably looking up in fear at the ominously swaying and roiling walls of dark water on either side of them. It seems as if Peter is explaining the presence of water in this ordinance. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 34. Some have argued that there might be a linguistic connection between the word Sheol and another word for watery depths, but in talking to a Hebrew expert, I have been told this is unfounded. Galatians 3:26-28 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Im a credobaptist, meaning that I believe baptism is for those who have made a credible profession of faith in Jesus (Ill get into a bit of what I mean by credible later). What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness? John 1:25-29 They asked him, Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet? 26 John answered them, I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie. 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Baptism is thus a picture of burial with Christ. 50 Good Bible Verses For Birthdays What Does The Bible Say About Fake Christians? Acts 1:45 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, which, He said, you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now., 35. What does the water immersion show that nothing else does? 1 Corinthians 1:14-17 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. Of course, water isnt only used to symbolize judgment or the fierceness of nature. The question of which line to take on this gave me pause. What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality? It seems that most agree the word, refer to dipping or immersing, but the paedobaptists (and other non-immersionists) argue that these words do not pertain to mode at all. One of the biggest questions in Christianity is the nature and purpose of water baptism. Israel could not pass the Jordan River and take possession of the land as punishment for their unbelief. The Reformed paedobaptist position at root says that infants born into Christian homes should be baptized because they are members of the New Covenant. 22 Encouraging Verses For A Bad Day 1 Corinthians 6:9-1 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Historically, credobaptists have almost unanimously espoused immersion as the one proper mode of baptizing a person, Martin Lloyd-Jones being a famous exception. What Does The Bible Say About Haters?

What Does The Bible Say About Trusting God? Luke 12:50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!, 11. To even ask the question what is baptism and what is it for is to drag other things into the debate, such as the definitions of the word baptism in Greek, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, soteriology (how we are saved), and the many historical questions of application and exegesis that face us, for instance, in the book of Acts when the word baptism is present. What Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality? The immersionist, however, will certainly point out that the Greek word here used is not. What does water have to do with baptism?. Baptismal regeneration, after all, has an ancient pedigree. 100 Inspirational Bible Verses About Thankfulness To God, What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health? What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health? 1 Corinthians 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one bodywhether Jews or Gentiles, slave or freeand we were all given the one Spirit to drink.. But what if verses such as Acts 2:1-4 and 2:38 and 19:4-6 are all referring to a second, special outpouring of the Spirit that is for some other purpose? Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days., 48. For myself, I dont believe non-Christians can legitimately baptize Christians, They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be savedyou and your household, then immediately he and all his household were baptized, Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him, But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, 20 Reasons Why God Is Allowing Trials In Your Life. What is baptism according to the Bible? 12. 16) This is at the heart of the difference. What Does The Bible Say About Mental Health? It is something that comes from God. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. We have the practical burden of proof even if, as I believe, the paedobaptists have the Biblical burden of proof. Hebrews 9:910 Which is a symbol for the present time. To seal this grace, the sign of circumcision is added. (. Pentecostals believe that this baptism of the Spirit is accompanied by spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues. In a way, it would be less confusing to us evangelicals (and easier to refute those who believe in baptismal regeneration) if we understood water baptism and Spirit baptism to be related in a way that doesnt entail justification. Immersion of course. Its what Paul had in mind (at least partially) when he spoke of the Israelites being baptized into Moses in 1 Corinthians 10:2. It is up to Him. In the Great Commission in Matthew, right before Jesus ascends, he says, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19) The discipling comes first, then the baptizing. I did say it would come up a lot. Evangelical paedobaptists agree that baptism does not effect regeneration, so it follows that a baptism for the forgiveness of sins means a baptism to seal and symbolize a forgiveness that has already taken place in the sinner, or one that will take place. The interesting and even confusing thing about 1 Peter 3:21 is how closely tied the water rite is with salvation in Peters mind. Paul uses the word baptism to describe Israels passage through the Red Sea. 100 Inspirational Bible Verses About Thankfulness To God, What Does The Bible Say About Trusting God? Romans 5:1-2 Therefore, since we have been justified byfaith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. The Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8 is baptized after understanding the Gospel as explained by Philip. Why Don't Christians Expose Evil Anymore? I have heard two answers that I find persuasive. If they had, they would have followed Jesus, because that was the whole purpose of Johns ministry. I dont want to get bogged down here, because the question of how much we should read OT washings into the NT is contested, and I am not the one to settle it, but in a survey of water rituals in the history of Gods people, these cannot be left unmentioned. If belief and repentance were not necessary before baptism, why wouldnt Paul have just rebaptized them, rather than bothering to explain first? 1. In Psalm 18:15-17 we see another such reference, as well as in 32:6. What Does The Bible Say About Trusting God? If we act in accordance with our head, we act on behalf of heaven. That verse is one of the two most pertinent New Testament verses on baptism, depending on how its interpreted. John 1:32-34 Then John gave this testimony: I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. Ephesians 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit., 40. In other words, rather than saying that this close connection we find between outpouring of the Holy Spirit and water baptism is a connection between water baptism and salvation, what if these outpourings are separate from the first giving of the Spirit in salvation? Having said that, lets dive deeper into the matter. Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. I believe the disciples, the Twelve, were already saved at this point, and this was an abundant outpouring of the Spirit for power in ministry for the sake of the Gospel. Acts 8:35-39 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. -related words as immersive. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have. 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Washing (possibly sprinkling): Hebrews 6:2, 9:10. Is Smoking Marijuana Sinful? What exactly it meant to be baptized into Moses, or into anyone for that matter, Ill talk about more below. As a credobaptist I believe that baptism is for believers, but I have spent a lot of time with brothers and sisters in Christ who believe that infants can and should be baptized if they are born to at least one believing parent. Acts 2:40-42 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, Save yourselves from this corrupt generation. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 50 Good Bible Verses For Birthdays Baptism is thus a picture of burial with Christ. Likewise, if someone points out that baptizein in the Koine Greek generally meant to dip or immerse and expects us to have no more questions on the biblical treatment of baptism, he will be mistaken. It says, Corresponding to that, baptism now saves younot the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good consciencethrough the resurrection of Jesus Christ Corresponding to what?
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