WHO SAYS BAPTISM WITH WATER FITS OUR RECENT TIME?
By: Bishop Albert Gran
Mark 1:8King James Version (KJV)
8 I indeed have baptized you with WATER: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
John 3:23King James Version (KJV)
23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much WATER there: and they came, and were baptized.
Acts 1:5King James Version (KJV)
5 For John truly baptized WITH WATER; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 8:38King James Version (KJV)
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the WATER, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Acts 11:16King James Version (KJV)
16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized WITH WATER; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
These were most kingdom gospel passages in view of preaching that the kingdom is at hand quoted to qualify from which basis of Scriptures verses WITH WATER are proved by our friends who were wet cleaners as they saw and stand in the ground of baptism of course WITH WATER.
Baptism with water clearly remembered us the beloved disciple of Christ, John the Baptist who is also a forerunner and His contemporary on the account of His nativity and even beyond started in the story of their conception.
SEE WHERE IT FITS
This chart clearly illustrates where your stand really fits in view of adhering to wet baptism with water. Clearly, this will give us a sound understanding how you see yourself fit for the doctrine held in view in consonance to the preaching of the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN WHICH IS AT HAND.
See for yourself in the chart to bring into attention the parallel doctrines taught by Jesus Christ and John the baptist in preparing the true witnesses of God which are His people, Israel.
JOHN THE BAPTIST AND HIS WATER BAPTISM
Matthew 3 King James Version (KJV)
John's ministry is a prelude for the entrance of the Messianic circumcision ministry of Christ and him to be presented to the people of Israel. Hence, John's ministry of his kingdom at hand preaching is really a significant parallel with that of Christ's preaching. Residents which were in Jerusalem, Judea and regions of Jordan went through with him in Jordan as there is WATER there.
JESUS CHRIST
AS TO INSTRUCTION TO BAPTIZE
These were most kingdom gospel passages in view of preaching that the kingdom is at hand quoted to qualify from which basis of Scriptures verses WITH WATER are proved by our friends who were wet cleaners as they saw and stand in the ground of baptism of course WITH WATER.
Baptism with water clearly remembered us the beloved disciple of Christ, John the Baptist who is also a forerunner and His contemporary on the account of His nativity and even beyond started in the story of their conception.
SEE WHERE IT FITS
This chart clearly illustrates where your stand really fits in view of adhering to wet baptism with water. Clearly, this will give us a sound understanding how you see yourself fit for the doctrine held in view in consonance to the preaching of the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN WHICH IS AT HAND.
See for yourself in the chart to bring into attention the parallel doctrines taught by Jesus Christ and John the baptist in preparing the true witnesses of God which are His people, Israel.
JOHN THE BAPTIST AND HIS WATER BAPTISM
Matthew 3 King James Version (KJV)
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,
6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. John's ministry is a prelude for the entrance of the Messianic circumcision ministry of Christ and him to be presented to the people of Israel. Hence, John's ministry of his kingdom at hand preaching is really a significant parallel with that of Christ's preaching. Residents which were in Jerusalem, Judea and regions of Jordan went through with him in Jordan as there is WATER there.
JESUS CHRIST
Matthew 4:17-20King James Version (KJV)
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.
AS TO INSTRUCTION TO BAPTIZE
Mark 16:14-18King James Version (KJV)
14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Jesus Christ's preaching that the kingdom of heaven is at hand prior to completion of his redemptive work was set with prophetic purpose in view of God's earthly plan to prepare the beloved Israel of God as witnesses over the seed of humanity. They will pass tribulation or Jacob's trouble waiting for the establishment of the kingdom of course with national acknowledgement that God is with them and their King of kings and Lord or lords was with them who shall also reign in the kingdom.
Jesus Christ's preaching that the kingdom of heaven is at hand prior to completion of his redemptive work was set with prophetic purpose in view of God's earthly plan to prepare the beloved Israel of God as witnesses over the seed of humanity. They will pass tribulation or Jacob's trouble waiting for the establishment of the kingdom of course with national acknowledgement that God is with them and their King of kings and Lord or lords was with them who shall also reign in the kingdom.
Commenced with this preaching of the kingdom at hand is the institution of WATER BAPTISM signifying their repentance and indication of belief for salvation. No reasoning whatsoever proving it calls for church membership when one submits to water baptism. This type at all times signifies and was associated with cleansing or salvation and with Christ to declare His righteousness to be confirmed with His people, Israel.
Water baptism must not be understood as always necessary in all of God's various administrations such that when you consider our ONE BAPTISM in this dispensation of grace is not that WATER BAPTISM AT ALL but the BAPTISM OF HIS DEATH by ONE SPIRIT (1 Cor. 12:13; Romans 6:4). The institution of water baptism in the condition He stipulated much call for observance in the time of 12 apostles compared to the simple preaching with non water baptism in the time of Paul indicates differing operational principle in accordance to the timeline clearly seen in the wise counsels of God over the ages (see the chart).
It is the heart of all the gospels enough to understand God's scheme salvation WAS CENTERED AT THE CROSS OF CALVARY and therefore today's lost people in this world both Jews and Gentiles no longer need such water baptism for their salvation and identification being part of God's family in the church the Body of Christ.
Significant as I saw this wonderful plan of God at the end of this dispensation of grace, God as the author of the book of Hebrews through an inspired human author called for to leave the PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST and the idea of NOT LAYING AGAIN THE FOUNDATION through the doctrines of baptisms along with other doctrines with stressed calling for PERFECTION (maturity in belief and ground of truth). This is the condition telling believers in the world to come.
It is the heart of all the gospels enough to understand God's scheme salvation WAS CENTERED AT THE CROSS OF CALVARY and therefore today's lost people in this world both Jews and Gentiles no longer need such water baptism for their salvation and identification being part of God's family in the church the Body of Christ.
Significant as I saw this wonderful plan of God at the end of this dispensation of grace, God as the author of the book of Hebrews through an inspired human author called for to leave the PRINCIPLES OF THE DOCTRINE OF CHRIST and the idea of NOT LAYING AGAIN THE FOUNDATION through the doctrines of baptisms along with other doctrines with stressed calling for PERFECTION (maturity in belief and ground of truth). This is the condition telling believers in the world to come.
Hebrews 6 King James Version (KJV)
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
In the New Covenant operation of God, (Hebrews through Revelation) water baptism will no longer be the basis to be included in preaching because the basis of this gospel shall be the blood of the New Covenant. Another important consideration in view of WATER BAPTISM is that it's the operation belonging and or part of the OLD COVENANT as part of divers washings (it's like doctrines of baptisms) typically similar with that of the offering of animal sacrifices emphasizing its blood shed (Hebrews 9: 9-10, Hebrews 9;12-13, 19, 10:4). Those things foreshadowed the blood of Jesus Christ and needless in the operation under the NEW COVENANT (Hebrews 8:8,13, 12:24) .
Paul, our apostle today declared in view of God's differing operation when Christ was sent to seek the lost sheep of the house of Israel preaching repentance and baptism for the remission of sins and when the resurrected Christ sent Paul to declare preaching the cross work of Christ is enough without water baptism (Mat. 15:24; Mk. 16:14-18 cp I Cor. 1:17). Christ's circumcision ministry and Paul's uncircumcision ministry for the Gentiles varies in the mode applying distinct baptism with Paul singling out what he really MEANT FOR THE ONE BAPTISM WHICH IS HIS DEATH as ours in this dispensation of grace ( Rom.15:8; Rom. 15:16; Eph 4:5; Col. 2:12)
WATER BY THE WORD
In the New Covenant operation of God, (Hebrews through Revelation) water baptism will no longer be the basis to be included in preaching because the basis of this gospel shall be the blood of the New Covenant. Another important consideration in view of WATER BAPTISM is that it's the operation belonging and or part of the OLD COVENANT as part of divers washings (it's like doctrines of baptisms) typically similar with that of the offering of animal sacrifices emphasizing its blood shed (Hebrews 9: 9-10, Hebrews 9;12-13, 19, 10:4). Those things foreshadowed the blood of Jesus Christ and needless in the operation under the NEW COVENANT (Hebrews 8:8,13, 12:24) .
Paul, our apostle today declared in view of God's differing operation when Christ was sent to seek the lost sheep of the house of Israel preaching repentance and baptism for the remission of sins and when the resurrected Christ sent Paul to declare preaching the cross work of Christ is enough without water baptism (Mat. 15:24; Mk. 16:14-18 cp I Cor. 1:17). Christ's circumcision ministry and Paul's uncircumcision ministry for the Gentiles varies in the mode applying distinct baptism with Paul singling out what he really MEANT FOR THE ONE BAPTISM WHICH IS HIS DEATH as ours in this dispensation of grace ( Rom.15:8; Rom. 15:16; Eph 4:5; Col. 2:12)
WATER BY THE WORD
Ephesians 5:25-26King James Version (KJV)
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as CHRIST ALSO LOVE THE CHURCH, and GAVE HIMSELF FOR IT;
26 That he might SANCTIFY and CLEANSE IT with the WASHING OF WATER BY THE WORD,
Foremost consideration why LITERAL WATER NO LONGER NEEDED TODAY because Christ already GAVE HIMSELF FOR THE CHURCH. It's the idea through giving and offering his life at the cross the emphasis is HIS BLOOD SHED as the focal object of our faith ( Rom.3:25). This is the reason why Paul was sent to preached the gospel (death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, 1 Cor. 15: 1-4) without emphasis to baptize LEST THE CROSS OF CHRIST SHOULD BE MADE OF NONE EFFECT.
Today's real washing of WATER IS BY THE WORD. Preaching God's operational salvation way declaring the victory of Christ's death, burial and resurrection SUFFICE for our salvation, sanctification, and eternal life with God in His holy place in heaven.
'Twas a blissful day to be eternally with God in the heavens declaring victory and being triumphant in Christ. However, with those who hold water to the baptism not with water today must realize through which plan of God's creation was held WITH WATER.
Foremost consideration why LITERAL WATER NO LONGER NEEDED TODAY because Christ already GAVE HIMSELF FOR THE CHURCH. It's the idea through giving and offering his life at the cross the emphasis is HIS BLOOD SHED as the focal object of our faith ( Rom.3:25). This is the reason why Paul was sent to preached the gospel (death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, 1 Cor. 15: 1-4) without emphasis to baptize LEST THE CROSS OF CHRIST SHOULD BE MADE OF NONE EFFECT.
Today's real washing of WATER IS BY THE WORD. Preaching God's operational salvation way declaring the victory of Christ's death, burial and resurrection SUFFICE for our salvation, sanctification, and eternal life with God in His holy place in heaven.
'Twas a blissful day to be eternally with God in the heavens declaring victory and being triumphant in Christ. However, with those who hold water to the baptism not with water today must realize through which plan of God's creation was held WITH WATER.
2 Peter 3:5King James Version (KJV)
5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the WORD OF GOD THE HEAVENS were of old, and the EARTH STANDING OUT OF THE WATER and IN WATER:
As a heavenly citizen of God are you STANDING OUT OF THE WATER AND IN WATER?
Grace and Peace.
As a heavenly citizen of God are you STANDING OUT OF THE WATER AND IN WATER?
Grace and Peace.
Mark 1:5 - And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
ReplyDelete6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
MATTHEW and LUKE have MORE to say about this occasion…
Matthew 3:11-12
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire...
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…
The questions to ASK are:
1.) WHO was JOHN was speaking to when He said this....AND...
2.) To whom did it apply...
John told the Pharisees that Jesus would be baptizing somebody with the Holy Spirit (HS baptism) and some with FIRE (which I believe refers to eternal destruction – but this part is not our topic so I shall deal with the former part).
This passage does not tell us WHO was going to get HS baptism or the baptism of FIRE, or WHEN they would receive such, but ONLY that it was JESUS who was going to do this… BOTH baptisms were yet to come. Too many people use this passage to claim that Jesus was going to baptize them and EVERYBODY else with the Holy Spirit! This passage does NOT say that. We must go to other passages to find out WHO got or gets HS baptism, WHEN they got it, and WHY they were the ones to receive it.
Having said such, I will be succinct in saying that there are only TWO occasions of HS baptism in the NT:
-The first occasion was in Acts 2 on that day of Pentecost to the TWELVE apostles.
-The second was in Acts 10 upon Cornelius and household.
I believe HS baptism was the result of PROMISE and PROPHECY.
a.) Jesus “promised” it to the Apostles only – John 14:26. 16:13, Luke 24:47-49, Acts 1:4,8, Acts 2:4.
b.) Cornelius’ fulfilled “prophecy” – Acts 2:17 (Joel’s prophecy – “all flesh” meaning Jew and Gentile in this context with Cornelius and household being the Gentile aspect of “all flesh”). Please note that not all "distribution"/"poured out" of the Holy Spirit was "baptism" with the HS.
Having fulfilled His promise and prophecy as well, I do not believe that anyone else received HS baptism, and HS baptism does not take place today. As with all miraculous events, BOTH occasions of HS baptism served to reveal and confirms the Word of God!
One last point: At Acts 11:15-17, a careful reading will reveal that at the HS baptism of Cornelius and household, Peter says here that in his mind he had to go back – to the “beginning” – recalling the only similar event such as what he saw in Caesarea (Acts 10) with Cornelius & household.
In other words, in the prior ~10 years Peter had NOT seen HS baptism.
Response:
DeleteThe timeline in view of the 12 apostles' commission shew perfect timing under the condition when Christ sought the lost sheep of Israel: As the verses you noted...
Mark 1:5 - And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
6 And John was clothed with camel's hair, and with a girdle of a skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey;
7 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.
8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 10:1-6King James Version (KJV)
10 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. (not for your emphasis)
In view of Paul's revelation who was Christ when he came on earth it's so plain He WAS A MINISTER TO THE CIRCUMCISION (Israelite) to confirm the promises made unto the fathers. That's in view of the prophetic promises regarding the promised land ( Abraham( and the kingdom (David) of which Christ will use Israel as the living witnesses to the Gentiles beginning at Jerusalem with the 12 Apostles, little flock through Peter's headship.
Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ WAS A MINISTER OF THE CIRCUMCISION (not your emphasis) for the TRUTH OF GOD,( truth of God for the cirumcision) to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:( It's in view of ISRAEL ABOVE OTHER PEOPLE).
Promised HS. What prophetic fulfillment falls in the Acts 2 account? It's in lieu of Joel's prophecy as a prelude of the kingdom of Christ after he went back to heaven. I'ts a supposed foretaste of the kingdom when all Israel respond Peter's offer of repentance with water baptism in Acts 2:36-38.
Joel 2:26-28King James Version (KJV)
26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed.
27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
I will continue to discuss later... It's just partial response
There are those that have a love of the truth and these are the ones always willing to receive truth. There are those that give higher priorities to things over truth, like those who perhaps have a position in a mission or at a job, and/or the things they were taught by someone they looked up to or were mentored by. These are the ones very much like those spoken of in John 12:42 – the ones that knew but did not want to be put out of the synagogue…
ReplyDeleteLooking at Ephesians 5:26, we read that Christ gave himself up for the church…
“That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word…” KJV
Christ died on the cross so it would possible that He “might” be able to “sanctify” (set apart – from the world) AND “cleanse” (purify – from sin) the church.
But HOW? 2 things: – WITH the WASHING of WATER – BY the Word.
Yes - "scriptural" water baptism is essential to one's salvation.
Christ made sanctification possible. Being WASHED in water BY the direction of the Word is HOW that is accomplished. This is God’s design.
It takes a “special” kind of thinking to say that Christ is doing the washing, and that this “washing” is not really in water (the word Paul uses), but that washing is something else. But some are forced into saying foolish things and taking ridiculous positions when they want something man-made more than they want the truth.
But those that read to understand, and for those that love truth over man-made theology, they want and see the truth, and that truth will set them free - even about HOW Christ sanctifies true believers today..