Baptism is a word that means to submerge, to plunge under, or to make one fully wet as to dip. It is a word that was not translated but left some what as the original word used in the Greek. It is a simple word but one that people are divided about it and it’s importance in salvation. The bible describes it as a burial. (Rom. 6:3-5) In Acts 8:35-28 we see that it is in water and that they both went down into the water. This would not have been necessary if he had been sprinkled by Phillip. If you sprinkle dirt over the dead they are not buried. They have to be completely covered. Baptism is a burial.
John came preaching baptism. He was the first to mention baptism. However, the earth was baptized at the time of the flood. The Children of Israel were baptized when they came through the red sea.(1 Cor. 10:1-4) Jesus asked a question about the baptism of John. Lu 20:4 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? We know that it was God’s will therefore it was from heaven. John’s baptism was for repentance. (Mark 1:9, Acts 19:3-5) All that were baptized before Peter’s command in Acts 2:38 were baptized for the same reasons and in the same way. For both John and Jesus preached repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Mat. 3:1-2 & Mat. 4:17) All of those who were baptized this way were baptized again. (Acts 19:1-6) The baptism of John did not put one into the Kingdom of heaven, nor into Christ, neither did it give salvation. (1 Cor. 12:13, Gal. 3:27, 1 Peter 3:21) The baptism that Peter and others preached did all this.
In Matthew 3:11 and Luke 3:16 John the Baptist said that Jesus would baptize them with fire and the Holy Ghost. Both of these baptisms are administered by Jesus the Christ himself. By looking at Acts 2 we will see and understand a lot about the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Ac 2:1 ¶ And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 ¶ And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. We want to notice some particular things about this event. One they were not commanded to be baptized. Neither did they ask for it. It happened suddenly without warning. They heard something and they saw something. It gave them power to speak in many languages, hence the “cloven tongues” or split tongues. When one of the apostles spoke it was hear in many different languages at once. Notice the “every man heard them speak in his own language”. Ac 2:8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? It gave them power to witness for Jesus Christ in every language. (Acts 1:8) This was prophesied of by Joel. (Acts 2:16, Joel 2:28-32)
Peter clearly identifies what happened in Acts 2 and in Acts 10 as the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. Ac 11:16 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. This event only happened twice in the bible. It would not be right for me to command someone to be baptized by the Holy Ghost. It would be useless since I cannot command Christ to do anything. Neither would it be correct for someone to ask for it. Only Jesus can administer this baptism. In Acts 10, none of the people knew it was coming nor expect it. When it happened all were surprised. (Acts 10:34 – 48) It was given as a sign to the Jews. ( 1 Cor. 14:21-22, Isa 28:11) Peter rehearses the matter to his Jewish brothers in Acts 11 convincing them it was God’s will that the gentiles be saved. Jesus baptized whom he wanted to with the Holy Ghost. It nor its power can be sought after nor prayed for nor prayed for. It was a given by God. (Acts 8:20)
Now we need to consider the baptism of fire. Some think that it is the fire that the world will be baptized with at the end of time. Some think that Jesus was speaking the type of fiery trail and death the apostles would go through. I confess that I am not sure both seem to be good answers. This I know the scripture says that there is one baptism. Eph. 4:4-5 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. For there to be one baptism, the baptism of the Holy Ghost has been fulfilled and the baptism of fire has to be also fulfilled. Either this is true or what he means by the one baptism is that there is one that saves. Either way we are left with one baptism that is for salvation and it is in water. The bible speaks of 4 baptisms, Johns baptism, the baptism of the Holy Ghost, the baptism of fire, and the baptism that is of water or into water. Remember what Peter said, in Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? This would have to be the same baptism as Acts 2:38, 41 Acts 8 and so on. This is the one baptism spoken of in Eph. 4:5.
Since baptism of the Holy Ghost and the baptism of the fire
cannot be commanded, we must realize that what was commanded in the book of
Acts was always the baptism of water or that was in water. (Acts 2:38, Acts
2:41, Acts 8:12-13, Acts 8:36 – 37, Acts 9:18 & Acts 22:16, Acts 10:47-48,
Acts 16:15, Acts 16:33, Acts 18:8, Acts 19:1-5) All who came believing and
desiring to become Christians were baptized. In fact the preaching of Jesus
Christ, death and resurrection involved baptism. Look at the scripture in Acts
8:35-39 35 Then Philip
opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a
certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder
me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If
thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe
that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 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. 39 And
when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away
Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.
Now I want you to notice spiritual things that happen when one is baptized. When writing to the Church, they were writing to people who were already baptized, explaining things about their baptism, which took place in water.
Notice Romans 6:3-5 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 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. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: We see that we are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ. It is also a burial where we are raised to a newness of life. It is in the image of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. This is where the blood of Jesus is applied to us and we are cleansed of our sins. Romans 6:17-18 says that when we obey from the heart that form of doctrine (death, burial, and resurrection) we are then made free from sin. Since Christ blood was shed in his death, it is in this death that we come into contact with the blood of Christ and are cleansed of our sins. Romans 6 is where we learn that we are baptized into the death of Jesus Christ, and therefore covered by his blood.
In 1 Cor. 12:12-13 Paul writes 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 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. 14 For the body is not one member, but many
Paul is writing to the church. He is writing to people that had already been baptized. He explains that it is the one spirit that baptized into one body. He explains that it is the same spirit than sent the gift that puts them into the one body, the church. Also regardless of race, nationality, slave, free, rich, or poor they are all put into one body, the Church. This what happened in Acts 2:42 where 3,000 were added to them, the church. (Acts 2:47) In Galatians 3 Paul again tell those who believed enough to obey the gospel, they were baptized into Christ. This is how we get into Christ. When this happens he explains that one puts on Christ. You see in this context one who believes is baptized and those who are not baptized do not believe. Baptism is a must to be in Christ. Again he points to the fact that there is difference in Jew or Gentile, nor Greek. Gal. 3:25 – 29 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
He again points to our salvation taking place in baptism when he writes “then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise”.
Col. 2:10-13 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 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: 12 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. 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; Paul points out the fact that baptism is an operation of God. It is where God has chosen to circumcise the heart of a believer. He again points out that this is where sins are forgiven. Why would people have faith in a prayer (sinners prayer) rather having faith in the operation of God is hard to understand. They certainly must be deceived. Again in this text he is writing to those who are Christians who have already been baptized into Christ with the baptism that is of water.
Did Peter teach the same things about salvation that Paul taught? Yes! It is a common salvation. It is the same for all. (Jude 1:13) It is a common faith, and all obey the same things to obey the faith, which teach all the same way to salvation. (Tit. 1:4) So what did Peter write about baptism. 1 Peter 3:18 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. Peter makes it clear. We receive the salvation of Jesus Christ when we are baptized.
There are some who say you must have the spirit of Christ or you are none of his. That is so true. We must be born of the spirit, the new birth. I am sure that the reader can guess where I am going from here. However, please bear with me a little longer. When God created the world, he created all things by a miracle. He spoke and there was a tree and so on. (Gen. 1:3-31) Then every thing reproduced, through a process, we call natural reproduction. The seed was in itself, is what God said. The same was true concerning the Nation or Kingdom of Israel. They were brought through the red sea, the wilderness, across the Jordan. God used miracles to establish the earthly kingdom of Israel. Then people were born into it, and entered into the covenant through a process or natural reproduction. The natural birth of a Hebrew child then circumcised when 8 days old. The same type of events happened in the establishment of His spiritual Kingdom, the church. The first ones were placed in the Kingdom by a miraculous birth. Then by the preaching of the gospel they were increased. Joh 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: Next we see Peter preaching the first Gospel sermon, and instructing people to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and they will receive the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) Next others are added by baptism. (Acts 2:41) Now read Acts 19:1-5. 1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 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. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. So it is in baptism that we are born of the spirit. That is why we are told to rise to walk in newness of life. We have a new spirit and a new life. (Rom. 6:3-4) If any man be in Christ he is a new creature and we are baptized into Christ. When we are baptized we are born of the spirit!
I plead with you to be honest with yourself and with the work of
God. The fact that you must be baptized does not take away the grace of God.
Without the grace of God, baptism would be nothing. It is because of God’s
great love and grace toward us that Jesus came and died for our sins. John
3:16, John 1:17. We could not nor can we save ourselves. No work, nor any
amount of money, nor any good deeds could be done enough to bring Christ from
heaven, nor make salvation possible. (Eph. 2:8-10) We cannot earn salvation
it is a gift of God.
However this does not do away with things we must do. We are commanded to believe by Jesus Christ. (John 3:16 & John 8:24) If we do not believe in the one God and his Son Jesus Christ we will be lost. Jesus also commanded us to repent. (Luke 13:3 & 5) We must repent or we will perish or be lost. (2 Peter 3:9) You see, we are saved by grace, but there are things we must do. One of these is baptism. It is commanded the same as those above are. Mr 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. A statement connect by the word “and” must be true on both sides of the and or the statement is false. One cannot just believe. (John 12:42-43) Neither can we just be baptized. It would be senseless to baptize someone who does not believe. It is sad to say that I think sometimes this happens because people do not tell you the truth. They just do what you want them to. Neither can one be baptized without repentance. Neither would one be a candidate for baptism without confession of faith in Jesus Christ as the son of God, our savior.
Speaking boldly, there are some who teach that you are saved before you are baptized. This is a very popular teaching but one that is false. The Bible just does not teach you are saved prior to baptism. As men did 2000 years ago they do today, they wrest the scripture to their own destruction. (Ps. 56:5) 2Pe 3:16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. The word wrest means to twist. They twist the meaning of the scriptures. If you think you were saved prior to baptism, then you need to do what was done in Acts 19:1-5 and be baptized again properly for the correct reasons. The Baptism and others do not baptize for salvation, but they baptize you because you are already saved (as they teach). They say that baptism is an out expression of what has taken place inwardly. The bible does not teach this. You will not find these words in the Bible. Neither did the apostles tell anyone to pray the sinners prayer or just accept Christ and you will be saved.
On the other hand there are those who teach sprinkling is baptism. The baptize children and infants this way. Baptism is a burial, as mentioned earlier. You can not sprinkle and have a burial. Infants are not candidates for baptism because they cannot be taught, hence they cannot believe. (Mat. 28:18-20) Neither can they confess faith in Jesus Christ. Young people who do not know that they have sinned are not candidates for baptism, for they cannot repent of what they do not know. (Acts 17:30) If you were sprinkled as a baby or young child, you need to be baptized.
This is the truth and if not let me know where it is wrong and why.
