Monday, November 30, 2009

What Did Paul Teach About Baptism? (Part II)

In recent weeks we have briefly examined what was taught about baptism by Jesus and also by Peter. This week we continue looking at what the apostle Paul practiced and taught in regards to baptism.

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Romans 6:3-5 (KJV)
In this passage, Paul clearly teaches that baptism unites us with Christ, specifically, Christ's death, and by extension, His resurrection. To be partakers of the blessings of Christ's sacrifice, one must be baptized. We also see that baptism is equated to a burial, which is simply one more\e piece of evidence pointing to baptism being immersion in water, not sprinkling or pouring. In addition to the word itself (meaning “to dip”), the context continually portrays baptism in terms of immersion.

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 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.
I Corinthians 1:13-17 (KJV)
Baptism must be into Christ. If we are baptized as a follower of any other, we fail. This passage is often quoted as “proof” that Paul didn't teach baptism. Yet, in this passage we learn that Paul was baptized and that Paul baptized others. As for the contention that Paul did not teach baptism to the Corinthians, the explanation can be found later in the epistle in I Corinthians 3:6. Paul had gone to plant the seed, and we see that the Corinthians obeyed more than Paul anticipated.

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.
I Corinthians 12:13 (KJV)
To become part of the body of Christ, regardless of background, one must be baptized. Conversely, if you aren't baptized, you aren't part of the body of Christ. As the body is synonymous with the church and the saved (I Corinthians 12:27), bot having been baptized means that a) a person isn't saved and b) a person isn't part of the church, Christ's followers.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Galatians 3:27 (KJV)
This is a simple, straightforward statement. To put on Christ, you must be baptized. If you have not been baptized, you have not put on Christ.

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
Ephesians 4:4-5 (KJV)
Each thing in this passage is easily recognizable as necessary and essential to Christianity. Each thing in this passage is also easily understood as being part of the unity of the faith and of the faithful. Baptism no less than any other item mentioned in this passage.

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: 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.
Colossians 2:11-12 (KJV)
Here baptism is put as serving the same purpose that circumcision served under the Old Covenant. In the Old Covenant, circumcision was the mark of one of God's people and formed a dividing line between them and everyone else. Under the New Covenant, baptism identifies the believer and serves as the dividing line between those who are God's and those who are not.

Again, we also see that baptism is identified as a burial.

As for those who would contend that baptism is wholly a work done by man, consideration of this passage shows otherwise. Baptism is the means chosen by God for men and women to receive the salvation and spiritual blessings given by God. It is, in no way, “earning” salvation through works.

Next week, Lord willing, we will look at what other people in the Bible had to say on the subject of baptism.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

What Did Paul Teach About Baptism?

In recent weeks we have briefly examined what was taught about baptism by Jesus and also by Peter. This week we begin looking at what the apostle Paul practiced and taught in regards to baptism. Next week, Lord willing, we will consider more of what Paul instructs us regarding baptism.

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Acts 9:17-18 (KJV)
The Lord appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus. Paul was told to go into the city and he would be given instructions on what he must do. (Acts 9:6) When he arrives in the city, he is met by Ananias and is baptized. One of the things which was required of Paul was baptism. Just as the Lord required Paul to be baptized, we must be baptized as well.

When Paul relates this even in Acts 22:1-21, he records that he was baptized that his sins would be washed away. While many speak of Paul being converted on the road to Damascus, the fact is that he did not convert and have his sins removed until he was already in Damascus, and submitted to the Lord in baptism.

And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.
Acts 16:14-15 (KJV)
First, we see that Lydia paid attention to what Paul taught. And we see that her reaction to what Paul taught was to be baptized. Evidently, part of the instruction given by Paul regarded baptism. Second, we see that Lydia observed that baptism was part of being faithful to the Lord. Just as Jesus had taught baptism, so did Paul. And in obeying this command, Lydia did not follow Paul, but Christ.

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
Acts 16:31-33 (KJV)
In verse 30 of Acts 16, the Philippian jailer asked what he must do to be saved. Paul and Silas instruct him to believe, and then baptized him. Faith is essential to salvation. However, we are not saved by faith alone (James 2:24), but through our faithful obedience and submission to the will of God. The faith being spoken of here is not a superficial belief, but a deep faith of one who is willing to act on it. To this end, they command the Philippian jailer to be baptized, and he and his household obeys the gospel.

As noted last week when observing the baptism of Cornelius and his household, the term does not inherently mean that there were small children or infants in the household. Once again, notice how faith is stressed in the instructions given by Paul. Faith is necessary to truly submit to the lord and obey in baptism.

And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
Acts 18:7-8 (KJV)
In this passage we see Paul preaching. Paul's preaching is received, by some, with belief. Based on that faith, many of the Corinthians are baptized. It seems clear that Paul's preaching of the gospel included baptism, as they responded to his teaching. Again, “with all his house” does not necessarily imply that children or infants were baptized. We see once again that it is those who hear the word that was preached by Paul and believe it that were baptized.

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. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 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. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Acts 19:2-6 (KJV)
There are several things about baptism we can learn from this passage. First, there was a difference between the baptism of John and Christ's baptism, with baptism into Christ being obviously superior. As we see here, it was necessary for them to receive baptism into Christ. Second, we see that baptism is once again performed by the authority and will of the Lord Jesus. Paul did not give this instruction to the Ephesians of his own accord, but rather, passed on the instructions and performed the actions as required by Christ. We also see that the spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit did not come at the moment of immersion or conversion, but from the laying on of an apostle's hands. As the apostles have long since passed from this earth, we cannot expect to receive the spiritual gifts shown here upon our conversion.

This week we considered Paul's teaching and actions regarding baptism in the book of Acts. Lord willing, next week we will examine what Paul taught on the subject in his letters. Hopefully by now you are seeing the uniformity of teaching and practice among Christ and His disciples on the subject of baptism.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

What Did Peter Teach About Baptism? (Part II)

Last week we began looking at what the apostle Peter taught regarding baptism. The week before that we looked at the actions and teaching of Christ on the subject. This week we continue looking at what Peter has to show us about this matter.

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 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. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 10:44-48 (KJV)
This passage is part of a much larger context that covers the entirety of chapter ten as well as most of chapter eleven. I encourage you to read that entire portion of scripture before reading the comments below.

One of the first things we note is that Cornelius was a gentile. This is important as up to that point only Jews and proselytes had obeyed the gospel. Much of this passage has to do with the fact that salvation is open and available to all men and women, regardless of their background, nationality, race, culture, or ancestry. As we see in this passage, baptism and salvation is available, as shown by the Holy Spirit falling upon these gentile individuals.

It is worth noting that Peter commanded that they be baptized. One of the things that can be quickly seen is that when something is commanded in scripture, it is because it is absolutely essential. We are commanded to have faith (I John 3:23), and understand that belief is essential to our salvation. We cannot choose which commandments of God we want to follow: all are equally binding and necessary. And as Peter here is speaking, and commanding, according to the will of God (Matthew 28:18-20, II Timothy 3:16), this command to be baptized is necessary in order to follow Christ.

And this commandment was not simply given to Cornelius and his household, but is equally binding to all. To take an example from the paragraph above, John did not personally write to me or you and state that the Lord's command is to believe, but that does not mean that we assume that this command was only for those John addressed his letter to. God, not being a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34) has made His will equally binding upon all mankind.

Some would look at the fact that the entire household of Cornelius was baptized as proof of infant baptism. This, however, makes an assumption that there were infants and/or small children in Cornelius' household. It is entirely possible to have en entire household that does not contain infants. I have known any number of families, even large families where the entire extended family lived under one roof, where there were no small children. To make the assumption that “household” necessarily means there were children is illogical.

The assumption that infant baptism is taught in this passage also fails to fit into the text itself. We can see was baptized: they were one who had heard the word of God and, in this case, upon whom the Holy Spirit had fallen.

The capacity to hear and understand is essential in order to be baptized. Without knowledge of what the Lord wants, one cannot follow Him. Without understanding, one cannot apply the Lord's will to his or her life. Without hearing the word of God which gives knowledge and understanding, how could anyone know about baptism to begin with?

We also see that in this example, the Holy Spirit had granted gifts to those that heard the word. When Paul discusses spiritual gifts in the twelfth through fourteenth chapters of I Corinthians, he writes that understanding is necessary and essential for properly using those gifts. (I Corinthians 14:15-17) If the household of Cornelius contained infants, then those infants, though incapable of understanding, were given gifts which required understanding. This is illogical.

And we see that is those who heard the word and received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:47) that were baptized. It is inconsistent and unreasonable to assume that infants, small children, or others who were unable to understand the word and will of God were baptized in this instance.

It is also, perhaps, necessary to make a note on the Holy Spirit coming upon these individuals before they were baptized. There are only two instances in the New Testament of the Holy Spirit falling upon people in this way. The first is in Acts 2, to indicate that the apostles were accepted by God and what they spoke was by His will and authority. Here we see a similar purpose: to indicate God's acceptance of gentiles into the faith.

Next week, Lord willing, we will begin looking at what the apostle Paul had to say about the subject of baptism.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

What Did Peter Teach About Baptism?

Last week we looked at what Jesus Christ taught about baptism. This week, we will spend a bit of space looking at what the apostle Peter, in fulfilling the command Christ gave to him and the other apostles (Matthew 28:18-20), taught on the subject of baptism.

When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
John 4:1-2 (KJV)
Last week we noted how it was with Christ's authority and approval that His disciples baptized others. And even though Simon Peter is not specifically mentioned here, it is almost impossible to not picture Peter as one of the disciples that was baptizing others. Especially since so often we see Peter at the forefront of following Jesus. It is thus strongly implied in this passage that Peter baptized others, setting us an example to follow. If not in this case, then it is certain that he would have followed the Lord's command in Matthew 28 and Mark 16 to baptize others.

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.
Acts 2:38 (KJV)
On the day of Pentecost, Peter delivers the first gospel sermon after the resurrection of Christ. In this sermon he speaks of the Christ and of the crucifixion, and many, in turn believe that Jesus, who they had just crucified a short time before, is the Christ. Convicted of their sin, they want to know what they need to do to have their sins forgiven. Peter tells them two things. First, they must repent. Repentance is to turn from one course of action in the direction of a completely different course. Where once they had been opposed to Christ, now they must be dedicated to Him and His cause. The second thing he tells them is to be baptized. The conjunction “and” is clear: both are equally necessary to have the remission of sins.

Some would claim that “for the remission of sins” means that one must be baptized because a person's sins are already forgiven. If such is the case, then one must repent after conversion, not before, and because one's sins are already forgiven. That simply doesn't work. Also, several statements are made in scripture of things that occur “for” the remission or forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:28 tells us that Christ;s blood was shed for the remission of sins. Acts 10:43 is sometimes translated as faith being “for the remission of sins.” In Acts 2:38, Peter simply teaches that if we wish to have our sins remitted we must repent of our sin and be baptized.

By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 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. 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:
I Peter 3:19-21 (KJV)
In this passage, Peter compares two things: the salvation of Noah and his family by water and baptism. The account of Noah and the ark is found in Genesis 6-8. It is familiar to most people. While the rest of the world was sinful, Noah chose to obey the Lord, and thus was saved by not being submerged by the flood. Peter begins with referencing this, and then states that baptism is a “like figure” or “antitype.” The idea of an antitype is that of being similar, but opposite in some ways. Baptism is an antitype to Noah and the flood in that Noah was saved by not being submerged, and in baptism one is saved by being submerged.

Even if the idea of the antitype is difficult to understand, Peter makes a simple and straightforward statement that should be hard to misunderstand. He clearly states that “baptism doth also now save us.” It is hard to be plainer than that. Baptism is for our salvation.

The phrase “the answer of a good conscience toward God” is sometimes problematic for people. This does not mean that a person is baptized because their sins are forgiven. But rather, one chooses to obey the Lord and follow Him because A) he or she has a conscience that wants to follow the Lord and B) that his or her clean conscience will accurately reflect truth. It is possible to have a clean conscience and not be following the Lord (Acts 23:1).

And so we can consider those things which Peter did and taught regarding baptism. First, we see that Peter baptized others, by the authority of Christ, with Christ's approval, and by Christ's command. Second, we see that Peter taught that baptism was necessary to have sins removed. It is as essential as repentance from sin is. Third, Peter taught that baptism saves us. Without being baptized we cannot have salvation. Fourth, Peter teaches that a person with a good conscience, who wants to please the Lord, will be baptized.

Last week we saw that Christ taught, approved of, and authorized baptism. This week we see that Peter, one of Christ's most prominent apostles, baptized and taught baptism to others. Next week, Lord willing, we will consider what Paul had to say about baptism and will look at Paul's actions regarding baptism.