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Post by eternalmatters on Mar 13, 2009 7:34:04 GMT -5
What are the best verses to study when looking at water baptism not being for this dispensation? Does anyone have a list. I can think of a couple off the top of my head, but remember there were more when I was first shown ~ it was really clear to me by comparing verses.
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Post by Faith on Mar 13, 2009 20:14:33 GMT -5
There are many "baptisms" just in the "new testament" portion of the Bible alone. Here are a few scriptures concerning some of them, but I am certain this is not all. Perhaps more people would like to contribute to the list.
Jesus and John speak of baptism in water: Matthew 3:6, 11, 13, 16, Mark 1:4,5, 8, 9, Mark 16:16, Luke 3:7, 12, 16, 21, Luke 7:29, 30, John 1:25, 26, 33, John 3:22, 23, 26, John 4:1, 2, John 10:40, Acts 1:5
and in the spirit: Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33, Acts 1:5
and in fire: Matthew 3:11, Luke 3:16
and (Jesus) into death: Matthew 20:22, 23, Mark 10:38, 39, Luke 12:50
Peter and the other disciples experienced baptism in the spirit on the day of Pentecost: Acts 2 And baptism in the spirit continues in Acts with the instances of conversion that we see under the teaching of Peter and the other disciples. BUT water baptism is still going on during the ministry of the Apostles in Jerusalem: Acts 2:38, 41, Acts 8:12, 13, 16, 36, 38, Acts 9:18, Acts 10:47, 48,
Paul says that he came NOT to baptize. (The opposite of what Jesus told the disciples in the what man has labeled "the great commission.")
1 Corinthians 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Paul says that there is ONE baptism.
Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism
Obviously, prior to the revelations by Jesus to the Apostle Paul, there were many different types of baptisms. But now, Paul clarifies the fact that there is only ONE. Here is what it is:
1 Corinthians 12:13 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.
Please also notice what the previous act of water baptism was actually for:
Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Acts 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. Water baptism was for remission of sins.
But Paul says that our sins are already forgiven:
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;
Water baptism was an outward ceremonial washing. -A cleansing of the flesh. -And you know how big the Jewish religion is on "cleanliness" of the flesh. LOTS of laws concerning that. They couldn't even enter the temple without first visiting the mikvah. And there are alot of washings that went on inside the temple as well. Water baptism has everything to do with the ceremonial laws concerning Israel. When Paul wrote to his congregations, he tells them of the ONE baptism that they (we) should be concerned about- and it has nothing to do with water. We are baptized BY (not IN) the Spirit INTO the Body of Christ. THAT's the ONE and ONLY baptism that we, in this Age of Grace, should be concerned about.
Something else that may be an interesting study for you is to do a parallel study on "circumcision of the flesh/circumcision of the heart" and "baptism in water (by man)/baptism into the Body of Christ (by the Holy Spirit)"
You should find some similarities concerning fleshly circumcision and water baptism, and that may help you to see more concerning the so called "necessity" of water baptism vs. the "necessity" of fleshly circumcision. Many people will be quick to tell you that the latter isn't necessary, but the first is a "must." Yet, if we believe our Bible, we understand that BOTH were required for Israel.
Thank God that the Baptism into the Body of Christ that we enjoy is TOTALLY sufficient for us in this dispensation of GRACE.
Hope this helps!
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Post by eternalmatters on Mar 14, 2009 2:54:49 GMT -5
That was intense - thank you!
Which verses would you use if you were simply showing someone a few to compare spiritual things with spiritual things? Like I said...I was shown maybe 3 or 4 and...it was an eye opener for a water baptism believer at the time.
I wish I could remember who showed me and what they were.
I'm certainly keeping these study notes above!! Thank you so much!!
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