One more time:
There is one baptism today, in this dispensation, and that is a spiritual baptism, where a person is identified into the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and is identified into the body of Christ-all by the Holy Spirit(notice the Holy Spirit is the Baptizer, not the Lord Jesus Christ). You can get "immersed", "dunked", "sprinkled" until the tadpoles know your social security number, but that will not save you.
There is one baptism today in the "dispensation of the grace of God"(Ephesians 3:2 KJV), and that is spiritual baptism of Ephesians 4:5 KJV(notice the 7 unities of Ephesians 4:3-6 KJV- are all spiritual), by which we are baptized(identified) into the Body of Christ, and thus identified into the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Most refuse to discern the difference between Christ baptizing WITH or IN the Holy Spirit at Pentecost(Matthew 3:11 KJV; Mark 1:8 KJV; Luke 3:16 KJV; John 1:33 KJV; Acts 1:4-5 KJV, Acts 11:16 kJV), and "For BY(emphasis mine) one Spirit are we ALL(emphasis mine) baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been ALL(emphasis mine) made to drink into one Spirit"(1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV). The body of Christ's(which was not in existence in the early Acts period) baptism involves the Holy Spirit as the baptizer, which:
1.places/identifies/unites us into one body of Jews and Gentiles who have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ alone as the Saviour, creating a NEW entity("new man") totally distinct in its nature and program from Israel, and
2. places/identifies/unites each believer with Christ("in Christ" and "Christ in me"), who is the "Head of the Body", and thus His death becomes our death, His burial becomes our burial, and His resurrection becomes our resurrection. There is therefore both a vertical and horizontal union simultaneously formed by this "one baptism"(Ephesians 4:5 KJV-NOT TWO) by the Spirit. Notice that throughout 1 Corinthians Chapter 12 there is a constant reference to the work of the Holy Spirit. Quoting only one here, which illustrates the Holy Spirit's instrumentality: "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking BY(emphasis mine) the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is Lord, But BY(emphasis mine) the Holy Ghost"(1 Cor. 12:3). All through that Chapter 12 it is clear and understood that the Holy Spirit is the One who is the Instrument doing the various actions. So the passage could not be made to say "in/with one Spirit". It has to be BY ONE SPIRIT, and therefore a different Spirit baptism is being spoken of here, which is separate and distinct from the Spirit baptism in Acts 1 where the Lord Jesus Christ is the baptizer.
Failure to discern the difference between these 2 baptisms has caused millions of people to be deceived and led astray into a vast number of heresies, including the "Holy Laughter" debacle, the "psycho-babble" tongues embarrassment, and the unscriptural "slain in the spirit" lunacy.
The Lord Jesus Christ had a literal circumcision on the 8th day, as all the little Jews had, and He had the real anti-typical circumcision at the cross. There the "old man" was "cut away", "severed"(circumcised), not merely symbolically,and ceremonially or typically, but in reality. And now saints of the body of Christ have in the crucified Lord Jesus Christ the real circumcision made without hands. From now on the circumcision of the unbelievers who rejected the Christ was only a concision, Philippians 3:2 KJV, a laceration.
We now have not only a complete circumcision, but also a complete baptism. We have been laid together with Him in the tomb through the baptism , as Colossians 2:12 KJVsays literally.
This is a reference to His baptism at Calvary-no water at Calvary-no water-Matthew 20:22-23 KJV/Mark 10:38-39 KJV/Luke 12:50 KJV
=the baptism of His blood at Calvary-same as Romans 6:4.. This came three years after His water baptism. In this water baptism, He IDENTIFIED Himself with Israel and with us: Luke 12:50 KJV; Matthew 20:22-23 KJV; Mark 10:38-39 KJV; Romans 6:3-4 KJV; Galatians. 3:27 KJV; Colossians. 2:12 KJV-
In Romans 6:3-4 KJV, Galatians 3:27 KJV, and Colossians 2:12 KJV we have the same water-less baptism INTO the crucified, buried, and risen Lord Jesus Christ. There is no imitation of the Jewish water rite, water baptism, but an IDENTIFICATION with His "blood bath" at Calvary. We have been baptized, IDENTIFIED, into His death: Romans 6:4. When we were just dead Gentile "dogs", He also gave us a quickening, and a resurrection through that special operation of God, not men, by the way of faith. Those "in Christ"(get it?-united) are now people that had a resurrection from among the dead, and this certainly was not material. We were dead, but now our life is hid with Christ in God-Colossians 3:3 KJV. How anomalous is it to BURY the living! The dead are buried, not the living!
Just as sure as our circumcision was without hands, Colossians 2:10-12 KJV, so also is our baptism without hands. We were quickened with the Lord Jesus Christ, and raised with Christ, but not in or through water baptism. Water baptism could not possible be a burial with the Lord Jesus Christ, for He was not buried in a liquid grave, but in rocks, and buried when dead. In contrast, the "dry baptismal" candidate is buried as soon as he has received life! That saint was raised, Col. 3:1-2, and THE SINNER "in Adam" was BURIED! Believers are not to be buried, but are most emphatically declared to have been buried, eventhose who religiously never touched a drop of water! It is not to happen, but it happened when he died and was buried, Romans 6:3-5 KJV. He was long ago baptized, IDENTIFIED, into Christ Jesus and into His death: Romans 6:2-5 KJV; Galatians 3:27 KJV; Colossians 2:10-12 KJV; Ephesians 4:5 KJV. People today read baptism in the imperative mood, whereas the LORD God wrote it in the PAST TENSE. They today read it as a prerequisite, while the LORD God states it as a prerogative. They today regard it as something material, while the LORD God regards it today as spiritual. People today regard it as for the few that obey. The LORD God says He baptized, IDENTIFIED, all believers. People today want it to be done. The LORD God says He already did it 2000 years ago. The LORD God buried the dead Lord Jesus Christ. People today want to bury living Christians.The LORD God buried in rocks. People today want to bury in water. The LORD God redeemed from the curse. People today want to "dip" the saint under the element of a curse. The LORD God made us to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, people today take joy/delight in going down to the waters of death with the tadpoles.
One Baptism - the work of the Holy Spirit that identifies, or"baptizes" the believer into the very death of Christ (see Romans 6:3-4 KJV with Galatians 2:20 KJV; Colossians 2:11-12 KJV).
This act of the Holy Ghost (the Baptizer) baptizing the believer into the death of Christ (the "element"), and thus so identifying the believer with his Lord as to make him a member of the Body of Christ, takes place the moment one believes the gospel of the Grace of God; this is the one baptism (and only) for today. (Note Ephesians 4:5 with 1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV). It is an operation of God, not of man (Colossians 2:11-12 KJV). Thus, we stand complete in Christ, apart from the works of men, either our own or another's. This one baptism that identifies us with the Lord Jesus Christ as members of His body was a part of a revelation received by the Apostle Paul, which he calls "the mystery"-- a secret that had been kept hidden in God before the foundation of the world, never made known to men of other ages. See Ephesians 3:1-10 KJV, Colossians 1:25-29 KJV.
These are 2 separate issues talked about in Colossians 2:10-12 KJV. Understanding "the circumcision of Christ" is to understand that this was a spiritual circumcision at the cross. While Christ's spirit returned to the Father, God the Father "severed" Christ's soul from His body at the cross(the physical circumcision was a severing of the flesh from the body) Christ's soul went to hell, "separated" from His physical body-"made without hands"=God the Father performing this spiritual circumcision. Likewise, when you were saved, who you were "in Adam" was severed from your body-our "soul" was separated from "the body of the sins of the flesh".
Per the previous, the baptism here is also a spiritual one. Baptism means to identify for the purposes of union, oneness, change in condition, status, IDENTITY. This is a reference to the fact that when Christ was buried, believers were "identified" with the Lord Jesus Christ in this burial.
Also note that Romans 6:3-4 KJV states that we were baptized into Christ's death, and Galatians 3:27 KJV states we are baptized into Christ= when Christ died, I died. When Christ was buried, I was buried. When Christ rose from the dead, I rose from the dead.
Colossians 2:12 KJV:
"...ye are risen with him")=God the Father "identified" me in the death, burial, and resurrection.
Again, in this dispensation, the LORD God is now reconciling Jews and Gentiles to Himself in one body purely through faith in the completed work of the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV, Ephesians 2:13-18 KJV). The very instant a believer trusts the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV), he is "by one Spirit baptized into one body" (1 Cor.12:13) and thus "baptized into Christ" (Gal.3:27). There is no opportunity for a water ceremony here. No human rite or ceremony can consign the believer "into Christ." No, the "one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5 KJV) of the "one Body" is performed by "One Spirit", not by a preacher, priest. pastor...............
The working of positional truth of being "in Christ" is this Spirit baptism. So absolutely adequate is our position in Christ by virtue of this Spirit performed baptism that we are told in Colossians 2:10 KJV "....And ye are complete in Him."
Excellent post. THANK YOU. I will do my best to reply with an equally well-prepared post. Sorry this is long winded. I did my best to make it as concise as possible and, hopefully, still get my points across.
I know you believe water baptism was for Israelites only. I would like to explain why I believe it’s for everyone in order to be added to Christ. I will then provide proof that it’s for everyone by applying that understanding to the details of how people were converted (added). Even the people added by Paul are consistent with water baptism being for everyone.
The Priesthood Changed
I read your post on the “initiation” of priests and how it takes water, blood and Spirit. I agree. The OT contains many things that are a pattern to help us understand the things in Christ.
Jesus could not serve as priest under the Law of Moses because He was not from the tribe of Levi.
Heb. 7:13
For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
Jesus would become king and priest just like Melchisedec who was king and priest outside of the law of Moses.
Heb. 7:15
And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Since Jesus could not be priest under the law of carnal commandment (Moses), there had to be a change in law.
Hebrews 7:11
If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
The high priest was the only one who went in to the most holy place to offer blood for the sins of the people. In order for Jesus to offer His blood for the sins of the people as high priest, there had to be a change in law.
Jesus is high priest and the people of His church are priests.
The consecration ceremony was for the priests only, not all the people. Only the priests offered daily sacrifices to God for themselves and the people, not all the people. I suggest to you that John’s baptism not only identified Jesus as a priest but was also preparing all the people for service to God as priests, Rom. 12:1. We will see the blood and Spirit come later after Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection.
The baptism of John for the people was a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Of all the OT washings, none were for this. Deviation from the law was not acceptable and could/did result in death. The baptism of John was the beginning of the gospel of Christ and His priesthood.
Mark 1:1
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; 2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 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.
Jesus became high priest under the law He established, by His D,B,R which is the law of Christ/faith/liberty, Gal. 6:2,Rom. 3:27,1 Cor. 9:21, Jam. 1:25. Under His law, whoever is in Him is a priest and can offer spiritual sacrifices that are pleasing to God.
Before Jesus’ death, he declared that He was going to build His church and that it would be founded on the fact that He is the Christ. Jesus purchased that church with His blood, Acts 20:28, and members of the church have Jesus’ blood applied to them. In Christ we are clothed with Christ and are redeemed by His blood, Gal. 3:27; Eph. 1:7.
Those on Pentecost that believed had their sins forgiven and were added to the church by receiving the water, Spirit and the blood.
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized(water)
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(Spirit).
2:47
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church(blood)
daily such as should be saved.
Water, Blood and Spirit are for everyone who believes. Patterned after the old law but
not the old law.
When we look at Jesus commissioning of the 12 in Mark 16 and Matthew 28, we see that He does not limit them to the Israel only as He did before but sends them to make disciples of all nations. Some will say that because they don’t see the 12 making disciples of all nations that water baptism must therefore be for the Jews only and not for everyone. I can see how some might see it that way but we must remember the
gospel was to the Jews first.
After the Jews had heard the gospel for a period of time, God sends Peter to Gentiles. Peter, guided by the one Spirit, converted those Gentiles just as Jesus instructed, even to the point of commanding water baptism because Jesus instructed baptize believers.
If we look at the details of how Paul added people to the church, Jew and Gentile, we see he followed the same instructions. He baptized those that believed.
Paul baptized the jailer when he believed the word of the Lord.
Acts 16:32
And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
If you will notice in the next verse it says the jailer, after baptism, rejoiced believing in God.
16:34
And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Believing in the word of the Lord, that Paul preached, included being baptized. Just as Peter baptized believing Gentiles, so did Paul.
Looking at those converted in Acts 19 should be all the proof anyone needs to see that water baptism is part of the gospel. These men had heard the word of the Lord and were believers.
Acts 18:24
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
W see the only thing Aollos didn’t have correct was baptism in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Jesus) so he baptized them with what he knew which was John’s baptism of repentance. We see in the following verses that Aquila and Priscilla see his error and taught him about baptism in the name of Jesus.
When Paul comes to town and runs into some of these disciples, 19:1, that Apollos converted but incorrectly baptized, he doesn’t question if they are believers. He doesn’t question what they were taught but when he finds out that they hadn’t received the Holy Spirit, he questions their baptism.
If there is one baptism in Paul’s gospel and the Holy Spirit does the baptizing at the moment of belief, it doesn’t make sense why Paul would ask, “
Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? When he finds they don't even know about the Holy Spirit, he questions their baptism.
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? Again, why would Paul ask about baptism if the Holy Spirit does it at the moment of belief.
We see that Paul doesn’t preach the word of the Lord to them because they are already believers. He instead just clears up what John’s baptism was for and then he baptizes them in the name of Jesus. Only after that does he lay hands on them giving them the Holy Spirit (gifts).
19:4
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.
No matter who believed, Jew or Gentile, Paul baptized them in the name of Jesus just as Jesus had instructed the 12 confirming that it is not for the Jews only but for everyone just as Jesus commanded.
1 Corinthians 12:13
I would suggest to you that what this verse means is when one is water baptized the Holy Spirit adds them to the church. We see that here.
Acts 2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
When these people believed they were water baptized and the Spirit added them to the church. The Spirit added to Christ those who had been baptized. Baptized into Christ.
We know that the Corinthians in the church at Corinth were water baptized in the name of Jesus. When Paul hears about the divisions going on in the church, he asks them
“or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” He’s being sarcastic to make a point. They were baptized in the name of Jesus and that is whom Paul is addressing. Paul is addressing those who were baptized in the name of Jesus.
Paul gives them a warning and uses an example, 10:6,11, from the OT. To help them really understand it applies to them, he points out that the Israelites who left Egypt were water baptized and were partakers of Christ.
1 Cor. 10:1
For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,
Paul makes it clear the Israelites were buried (covered) by water by stating twice that they were under the cloud and in the sea, which are water. So two chapters later when they hear they were baptized into the body they realize that when they were baptized in the name of Jesus at their conversion, Acts 18:8, the Spirit added them to the church as we see in Acts 2.
He also tells the Corinthians that the Israelites were partakers of Christ just as they are.
10:3
And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
Roman 6
I agree with you that Jesus was speaking of His death when He said they would drink from the same cup and be baptized with the same baptism. All the apostles died for the name of Jesus and only John was spared execution. Some Christians have died for the name of Jesus but I would say it’s a small percentage.
I suggest to you that Romans 6 is speaking of water baptism. If we look at verse 5 it says, IF we die a death like His.
6:5
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death,
Believing the gospel is not like a death, burial and resurrection but water baptism is. After we believe we are still spiritually dead, Acts 22:16, and need to be buried. Verse 4
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:
Rising out of the water we are made spiritually alive (born). Verse 4
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.
So if we die a death like Jesus we will also be resurrected like Jesus.
6:5
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Peter says that is how water baptism saves us, by the resurrection of Jesus.
1 Peter 3:21
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:
There are many more details I could add but this is already too long.