Post by Admin on Dec 17, 2014 7:25:59 GMT -5
These are just a few thoughts from one that rejects the necessity of water baptism in salvation. While I do believe it is commanded to everyone that professes Christ, the only Baptism I see that is associated with salvation that is necessary is the Baptism with the Holy Spirit.
So this is submitted for consideration.
1. Baptism refers to identification or association with someone or something:
This one may be a little confusing, but it must be remembered that often when we consider baptism it refers to identification or association with someone or something. Why that is significant to the Baptism with the Spirit of God there is the spiritual union of the believer with God. We are identified and associated with God through the Spirit, Who indwells the believer upon salvation. The view of the Baptismal Regenerationist is that it is the immersion in water which is salvific, rather than the genuine identification the believer has with God as he/she is brought into union with God through the indwelling of God within the believer.
2. Baptism speaks of immersion:
Like unto point one, immersion is not into physical water, but into the Body of Christ, which is the condition of every believer that is Baptized with the Spirit of God. One becomes a part of the Body of Christ, that is, the spiritual union between God and man that was lost in Adam is restored. When the Baptismal Regenerationist looks to the immersion in water as salvific, rather than the reality of immersion into relationship with God, they make that which is meant to picture the reality the reality itself, thus diminishing the Work of Christ on the Cross as the only means by which man can be brought back into relationship with God.
3. The Book of Romans mentions Baptism but does not make it clear that water baptism is in view:
If, as the BR teaches, water baptism were necessary for salvation (rather than obedience), it seems Paul would have mentioned this in his Epistle to the Romans.
4. Hebrews warns against a foundational view:
The Book of Hebrews not only does not speak of water baptism (washings, Hebrews 6:1-2), but gives solemn warning to the Hebrew believers of that day not to "lay again the foundation of...washings." The writer contrasts the ritual method of cleansing of the Law (Judaism, not the Word) with the completion found in He that the foundational doctrines pointed to, that is, Christ. The Law presented the picture, Christ presented the reality. There is little difference between one viewing Christian Water Baptism as a means of cleansing and the cleansing those engaged in Judaism saw in the washings they performed.
5. Christ is the Baptizer:
Whereas in Christian Baptism this is performed by a Minister/Pastor. Why this point is significant is due to the fact that the Baptism with the Spirit is said to be performed by Christ, not men, as we see it contrasted with the Baptism with John (Matthew 3:11). When we give salvific value to water baptism we make the one performing the baptism the Baptizer. But the Word of God makes clear that Christ is the Baptizer and He baptizes with the Spirit of God, not water.
6. Christ baptizes with Spirit (salvation) and fire (judgment)...never with water:
Nowhere do we have a record of Christ baptizing with water (John 4:1-2), but this was, just as it is today, accomplished by men appointed for this task. The baptism performed during His earthly ministry was not the Baptism with Spirit but a foundational baptism which had in view the picture of both cleansing and association as discussed in the first two points. But we can say with certainty that the Baptism with the Spirit of God did not begin until after the Ascension (John 16:7) by which we do well not to confuse that Baptism (with Spirit) with the Baptism of John or those performed by the Disciples of Christ.
7. Paul states he was not sent to baptize:
In 1 Corinthians 1:17 we see Paul state he was not sent to baptize, which would be the same thing as saying "I was not sent to lead men to salvation" if in fact water baptism, even Christian (water) Baptism...were intrinsic to salvation. In view is sectarianism in which men vaunt those they were baptized by as though this made them a superior member in the Body of Christ, when in fact Paul makes it clear that their baptism itself is not the important issue. In 1 Corinthians 1:13 & 18 Paul makes it clear that it is the death of Christ, not water baptism by which men are saved. He ascribes salvific value to the preaching of the Cross and in 1 Corinthians 1:14 actually thanks God that he himself did not baptize them.
8. The remission of sins is consistently taught as through the Death of Christ:
...not water baptism. Baptismal Regeneration attributes salvation as requiring water baptism, effectively adding to the Work of Christ.
9. The Disciples of Christ are never recorded as being baptized:
The Disciples of Christ are never recorded as being baptized either in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, nor in the Name of Christ. If water baptism were a requirement for one to be saved...it seems that the Disciples themselves would have undergone water baptism. We cannot attribute the foundational baptism prior to the coming of the Comforter as that precedes the Age of Grace and remains a part of the Age of Law. What we do see is that they were baptized with the Spirit when He came on the Day of Pentecost.
10. We have record of men being saved before water baptism:
Acts 10:44-48
King James Version (KJV)
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
The Baptism with the Spirit of God is what is in view here. This is what John spoke of when he diminished his own baptism unto repentance and glorified Christ and the Baptism He would perform in regards to salvation.
I would also add that John's baptism had an identification with repentance. And that repentance was required before one was baptized, rather than taking a view that because one was baptized...repentance came. He rebukes the Jews that had not truly repented and forbad them from being baptized, calling for them to first bring forth fruit meet for repentance, or in other words...prove it! The works of the Pharisees gave testimony that they were falsely confessing repentance, though we also see that this rebuke was not just for the Pharisees (Luke 3:7-8).
The single greatest proof-text the Baptismal Regenerationist has for this doctrine is found here:
Mark 16:15-16
King James Version (KJV)
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.
One being baptized after believing is a given. I believe it is water baptism in view here, but I do not see it as the Lord affirming Baptismal Regeneration. When we look at the means of salvation as consistently taught in Scripture we see that it is attributed to Christ alone, and that nothing can be added to that. We do believe it is commanded that men be baptized in water to affirm their profession of faith in Christ, and that this pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But, we understand that one is saved through faith in Christ...alone. No work of man can bring about salvation, for if that were possible, Christ need not have gone to the Cross to pay the penalty of our sin (Galatians 2:21).
So this is submitted for consideration.
1. Baptism refers to identification or association with someone or something:
This one may be a little confusing, but it must be remembered that often when we consider baptism it refers to identification or association with someone or something. Why that is significant to the Baptism with the Spirit of God there is the spiritual union of the believer with God. We are identified and associated with God through the Spirit, Who indwells the believer upon salvation. The view of the Baptismal Regenerationist is that it is the immersion in water which is salvific, rather than the genuine identification the believer has with God as he/she is brought into union with God through the indwelling of God within the believer.
2. Baptism speaks of immersion:
Like unto point one, immersion is not into physical water, but into the Body of Christ, which is the condition of every believer that is Baptized with the Spirit of God. One becomes a part of the Body of Christ, that is, the spiritual union between God and man that was lost in Adam is restored. When the Baptismal Regenerationist looks to the immersion in water as salvific, rather than the reality of immersion into relationship with God, they make that which is meant to picture the reality the reality itself, thus diminishing the Work of Christ on the Cross as the only means by which man can be brought back into relationship with God.
3. The Book of Romans mentions Baptism but does not make it clear that water baptism is in view:
If, as the BR teaches, water baptism were necessary for salvation (rather than obedience), it seems Paul would have mentioned this in his Epistle to the Romans.
4. Hebrews warns against a foundational view:
The Book of Hebrews not only does not speak of water baptism (washings, Hebrews 6:1-2), but gives solemn warning to the Hebrew believers of that day not to "lay again the foundation of...washings." The writer contrasts the ritual method of cleansing of the Law (Judaism, not the Word) with the completion found in He that the foundational doctrines pointed to, that is, Christ. The Law presented the picture, Christ presented the reality. There is little difference between one viewing Christian Water Baptism as a means of cleansing and the cleansing those engaged in Judaism saw in the washings they performed.
5. Christ is the Baptizer:
Whereas in Christian Baptism this is performed by a Minister/Pastor. Why this point is significant is due to the fact that the Baptism with the Spirit is said to be performed by Christ, not men, as we see it contrasted with the Baptism with John (Matthew 3:11). When we give salvific value to water baptism we make the one performing the baptism the Baptizer. But the Word of God makes clear that Christ is the Baptizer and He baptizes with the Spirit of God, not water.
6. Christ baptizes with Spirit (salvation) and fire (judgment)...never with water:
Nowhere do we have a record of Christ baptizing with water (John 4:1-2), but this was, just as it is today, accomplished by men appointed for this task. The baptism performed during His earthly ministry was not the Baptism with Spirit but a foundational baptism which had in view the picture of both cleansing and association as discussed in the first two points. But we can say with certainty that the Baptism with the Spirit of God did not begin until after the Ascension (John 16:7) by which we do well not to confuse that Baptism (with Spirit) with the Baptism of John or those performed by the Disciples of Christ.
7. Paul states he was not sent to baptize:
In 1 Corinthians 1:17 we see Paul state he was not sent to baptize, which would be the same thing as saying "I was not sent to lead men to salvation" if in fact water baptism, even Christian (water) Baptism...were intrinsic to salvation. In view is sectarianism in which men vaunt those they were baptized by as though this made them a superior member in the Body of Christ, when in fact Paul makes it clear that their baptism itself is not the important issue. In 1 Corinthians 1:13 & 18 Paul makes it clear that it is the death of Christ, not water baptism by which men are saved. He ascribes salvific value to the preaching of the Cross and in 1 Corinthians 1:14 actually thanks God that he himself did not baptize them.
8. The remission of sins is consistently taught as through the Death of Christ:
...not water baptism. Baptismal Regeneration attributes salvation as requiring water baptism, effectively adding to the Work of Christ.
9. The Disciples of Christ are never recorded as being baptized:
The Disciples of Christ are never recorded as being baptized either in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, nor in the Name of Christ. If water baptism were a requirement for one to be saved...it seems that the Disciples themselves would have undergone water baptism. We cannot attribute the foundational baptism prior to the coming of the Comforter as that precedes the Age of Grace and remains a part of the Age of Law. What we do see is that they were baptized with the Spirit when He came on the Day of Pentecost.
10. We have record of men being saved before water baptism:
Acts 10:44-48
King James Version (KJV)
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
The Baptism with the Spirit of God is what is in view here. This is what John spoke of when he diminished his own baptism unto repentance and glorified Christ and the Baptism He would perform in regards to salvation.
I would also add that John's baptism had an identification with repentance. And that repentance was required before one was baptized, rather than taking a view that because one was baptized...repentance came. He rebukes the Jews that had not truly repented and forbad them from being baptized, calling for them to first bring forth fruit meet for repentance, or in other words...prove it! The works of the Pharisees gave testimony that they were falsely confessing repentance, though we also see that this rebuke was not just for the Pharisees (Luke 3:7-8).
The single greatest proof-text the Baptismal Regenerationist has for this doctrine is found here:
Mark 16:15-16
King James Version (KJV)
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.
One being baptized after believing is a given. I believe it is water baptism in view here, but I do not see it as the Lord affirming Baptismal Regeneration. When we look at the means of salvation as consistently taught in Scripture we see that it is attributed to Christ alone, and that nothing can be added to that. We do believe it is commanded that men be baptized in water to affirm their profession of faith in Christ, and that this pictures the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But, we understand that one is saved through faith in Christ...alone. No work of man can bring about salvation, for if that were possible, Christ need not have gone to the Cross to pay the penalty of our sin (Galatians 2:21).
