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Baptism by Graceson Raymond
Baptism by Graceson Raymond
Baptism by Graceson Raymond
Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the New
King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible
DEDICATION
I dedicate this book to all ministers of the gospel of grace who have been given
the mandate to propagate the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thanks to my family, who has always been supportive in many areas of my life.
If I had to choose a family again, it would still be you.
Pas. Stephen, Pas. Stella, and Pas. Emmanuel, you guys are always playing key
roles in my ministry. I’m forever grateful to you for all your efforts.
Charis members, you are lovely people with a positive mentality. I dedicate this
piece to you for all the support you have been given since day one.
INTRODUCTION
A key challenge for the Bible student is to know what to do with the book (the
Bible), which was written over some thousands of years ago. It is wrong for a
student of the Bible to read his or her own meanings into the Bible. The Bible
student is always required to come out with the intent of the writer by using the
words of the text in scripture through the lens of their original context. This is
referred to as an “exegetical approach” to explaining the Scriptures. The student
is expected to always employ and use various approaches to decode the
meaning of the words and texts of the book, which was written many years ago.
A wise man once said, “The Scriptures cannot mean today what they never
meant when they were originally written.” But what are we seeing today? Many
people subject Bible interpretation to public ideas and the whims of modernity.
This has really led to the wrong kinds of worship on the part of many people.
The reason behind this is that wrong interpretations of the scriptures produce
wrong worship.
Paul instructed Timothy to rightly divide the word of truth. Dividing the word
of truth is what is known as proper Bible study.
This material touches on the topic: “Should the Church practise water baptism?”
This topic is misunderstood and misexplained by many people in Christendom
today. After reading this book, you will discover the truth concerning the topic
under consideration, and this will lead you on a quest for more sound and
healthy doctrines.
The writer of Hebrews used the word “baptisms” in verse 2. Note that
the word is in the plural form. This is the only place in the Bible
where “baptism” is used in the plural form. “Baptisms” here is the
translation of the Greek word “baptismos,” which means washings.
Basically, the Book of Hebrews seemed to address Jewish Christians.
Although these people were Christians, most of them were still
following some practices in Jewish religious traditions. Baptisms here
refer to the diverse washings in the Jewish religious tradition. It does
not talk about John’s baptism.
Mark 7:8 [ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the
tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other
such things you do.” ]
They washed cups, pitchers, and other items at the temple for
cleansing and purification.
the third day the LORD will come down upon Mount Sinai in the
sight of all the people. ]
The people of the nation of Israel were to wash their clothes for
purification.
Leviticus 8:6 [ Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed
them with water. ]
The priests were washed with water for purification and consecration.
A person who had recovered from an unclean skin disease had to wash
his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe with water to be
ceremonially clean.
originated with John (The Baptist), and it is the reason why the word
“baptism” and its family words never appeared in the Scriptures
(Genesis to Malachi). John is the originator of water baptism. Also note
that more than 60% of the usage of the word “baptism” and its family
words are in reference to one person, John the Baptist. This shows how
John the Baptist will be very important in our studies.
Luke 1:76-77 [ 76 “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the
Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His
ways, 77 – To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the
remission of their sins, ]
The Prophets testified about Christ. Just like the Prophets, John was
sent by God to reveal His promise concerning His Son, Jesus Christ,
to Israel.
Luke 7:28 [ For I say to you, among those born of women there is
not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in
the kingdom of God is greater than he.” ]
John was a Prophet; hence, his message would certainly focus on the
person of Jesus; His sufferings and the glory that should follow.
If John was a prophet, then why was he mostly referred to as John the
Baptist? He was mostly referred to as John the Baptist because of the
practice of water baptism. We will later find out why the Prophet John
baptized people in his ministry.
John 1:29-34 [ 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him,
and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world! 30 – This is He of whom I said, “After me comes a Man who
is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 – I did not know
Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came
baptizing with water.” 32 – And John bore witness, saying, “I saw
the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained
upon Him. 33 – I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize
with water said to me, “Upon whom you see the Spirit descending,
and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy
Spirit.’ 34 – And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of
God.” ]
In verse 31, John himself tells us the reason why he came to baptize.
His baptism was aimed at revealing Christ to himself and Israel.
John 1:31 [ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to
Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” ]
Does John 1:31 mean that water baptism ought to have stopped after
Christ was revealed through baptism? The answer is YES.
NOTE:
1) John’s ministry was not water baptism. He was a prophet,
and his ministry was to reveal Christ. Water baptism was
only a means of revealing Christ.
JOHN’S MESSAGE
Additional references
John 1:33
Matthew 3:11
Luke 3:16
From the words of John in the above verses, there are two types of
baptisms. It is very clear that Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit, not
with water. Water baptism belongs to John, while Holy Spirit baptism
belongs to Jesus.
Does this mean that the man who has believed in Christ does not need
to be baptized in water since Christ does not baptize with water? The
answer is a BIG YES.
Jesus also confirmed that John baptized with water, but those who
would believe in him (Jesus) would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
Also, note that the promise of the Father is the Holy Spirit.
John 1:25-31 [ 25 And they asked him, saying, “Why then do you
baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” 26 –
John answered them, saying, “I baptize with water, but there stands
One among you whom you do not know. 27 – It is He who, coming
after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy
to loose.” 28 – These things were done in Bethabara beyond the
Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 – The next day John saw
Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God
who takes away the sin of the world! 30 – This is He of whom I said,
“After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was
before me.’ 31 – I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed
to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.”]
In verse 30, John tells us that Jesus is preferred before him. Thus
Jesus is greater than him. If Jesus is greater than John, then which of
the two baptisms is greater? Obviously, the baptism of the Holy Spirit
is greater. John’s water baptism had no saving power. His baptism
was only aimed at revealing Christ, the Saviour who baptizes with the
Spirit.
Simply put, water baptism does not save. John practised it to reveal
the Saviour to the people. This is the reason why he preached
alongside the baptism, telling the people to believe in Christ to
receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Leviticus 11:28 [ Whoever carries any such carcass shall wash his
clothes and be unclean until evening. It is unclean to you. ]
From the above verse, the man who is touched by a dead animal is to
wash his clothes in a demonstration of purification. Even the man
who had washed would remain unclean until evening.
Leviticus 13:6 [ Then the priest shall examine him again on the
seventh day; and indeed if the sore has faded, and the sore has not
spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is
only a scab, and he shall wash his clothes and be clean. ]
Leviticus 16:4 [ He shall put the holy linen tunic and the linen
trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash, and with
the linen turban he shall be attired. These are holy garments.
Therefore he shall wash his body in water, and put them on. ]
Numbers 19:7 [ Then the priest shall wash his clothes, he shall
bathe in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp; the
priest shall be unclean until evening. ]
The Jews were familiar with the use of water for ceremonial
cleansing, purification, and newness. Thus, John ministered to them
as such. The Jews, being familiar with the use of water as stated
above, knew John was performing purification and cleansing. But you
know what? Water only purifies the body outwardly. The ceremonial
cleansing and washings could not purify them spiritually. Likewise,
water baptism can not purify a man from his sins and give him a new
life.
John 1:29-31 [ 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him,
and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world! 30 – This is He of whom I said, “After me comes a Man who
is preferred before me, for He was before me.’ 31 – I did not know
Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came
baptizing with water.” ]
John, in his preaching, plainly stated that Jesus is the Lamb of God.
The word “lamb” is a figurative expression of Jesus’ sacrifice for sins.
What takes away sin is the sacrifice of Christ, not water. This is
explained in the epistles.
Hebrews 9:22-26 [ 22And according to the law almost all things are
purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no
remission. 23 – Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the
things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly
things themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 – For Christ
has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies
of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of
God for us; 25 – not that He should offer Himself often, as the high
priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another—
26 – He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of
the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to
put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. ]
was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the
Scriptures,]
It is the sacrifice of Christ that has the power to purify a man from his
sins.
Peter educates us about the baptism that saves. The baptism that saves
is not the one that removes the filth of the flesh. The baptism that
saves is the baptism of the Spirit through faith in Christ.
John 3:22 [ After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the
land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. ]
Some people read John 3:22 and conclude that Jesus baptized some
people with water. But you know what? Jesus never baptized anyone
with water. When you continue on just a few more verses from John
3:22, you will read John 4:1–3: [ 1 – Therefore, when the Lord knew
that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more
disciples than 2 – (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His
disciples), 3 – He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. ]
Verse 2 tells us clearly that Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His
disciples did.
Who asked the disciples to baptize? Jesus did not ask the disciples to
baptize people with/in water. The Apostle Paul is the right person to
help us understand this.
Did you notice what Paul said in verse 17? Christ did not send Paul to
baptize. Baptism in this context refers to water baptism. You’ll
understand it properly as you read the subsequent pages. Christ did
not send Paul to baptize people in water. He did not send the disciples
either.
Note that Jesus did not stop them from practising water baptism. Why
didn’t Jesus stop them if they were not doing the right thing? The
Bible is silent on this, but the below explanation will help us.
Jesus commanded the disciples not to take anything for the journey
except staff. But what do we see in verse 13? They disobeyed the
words of Jesus and went on the journey with oil to anoint those who
were sick. Jesus gave them power, but they still took oil. They
disobeyed Jesus in this context?
The disciples, being Jews, had some level of belief in the practices of
the Jews. This is the reason why they even engaged in water baptism
without Jesus asking them to do so. They were influenced by the
knowledge they had from the Jewish traditions and customs on how
water was used for cleansing and purification.
John 16:12-14 [ 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you
cannot bear them now. 13 – However, when He, the Spirit of truth,
has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on
His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He
will tell you things to come. 14 – He will glorify Me, for He will take
of what is Mine and declare it to you. ]
Jesus did not stop them from baptizing people in water because they
probably could not have even understood Jesus at that time. Even
after the disciples had received the Spirit, with an unrenewed mind,
they continued to practice water baptism, as it is recorded in the Book
of Acts. Do you know that even Paul joined them in the practice of
water baptism? But after he had received revelation knowledge, Paul
said this in 1 Corinthians.
the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should
be made of no effect. ]
Many people have tried to use John 3:5 to support the idea that water
baptism is a requirement for salvation. They say unless one is born of
water, that is, baptized by immersion, they can not enter the kingdom
of God.
[ Unless one is born of water, that is, the Spirit, he can not enter the
kingdom of God.” ]
The water being referred to in this context is the Spirit. The next verse
will help us understand this better.
John 3:6 [ That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit. ]
Jesus did not mention “water” again in verse 6, but rather compared
the “flesh” to the “Spirit.” He spoke of the new birth.
Mark 16:15-16 [ 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and
preach the gospel to every creature. 16 – He who believes and is
baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be
condemned.]
We have seen that there is the water baptism and also the Holy Spirit
baptism. It is therefore wrong to always see the word “baptism” as
referring to water baptism. There is no mention of water in the verse.
Also, do not forget that John baptizes with water, and Jesus baptizes
with the Holy Spirit.
Belief, not baptism, is the critical issue in this passage. The passage
says that those who do not believe will be condemned; it does not say
that those who do not believe and are not baptized will be condemned.
Obviously, the issue is faith. In verse 15, Jesus instructed the disciples
to go and preach the Gospel. Verse 16 tells us what happens when one
believes in the Gospel. Whoever believes the Gospel is baptized. So
First of all, the expression “in the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit” is not found in the original manuscript.
Although I can not explain it further in this book, the truth is that it
was wrongly included by the translators. The new KJV italicised the
expression to show that it is not found in the original manuscript.
Salvation is not found in the name of the Father, nor is it found in the
name of the Holy Spirit. Salvation is only found in the name of Jesus.
The verses below point to this truth.
John 3:16-18 [ 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but
have everlasting life. 17 – For God did not send His Son into the
world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might
be saved. 18 – “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he
who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not
believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. ]
The word “baptizing” here also does not refer to water baptism since
Christ does not baptize with water. The expression “baptizing them in
my name (Jesus’ name)” refers to the Holy Spirit’s baptism. In this
verse too, the baptism comes right after teaching or preaching the
Gospel. So we can say that baptism here also happens as a result of
faith in Christ through the Gospel.
Paul admitted in verses 14, 15, and 16 that he baptized some people.
He later said in verse 17 that Christ did not send him to baptize but to
preach. Baptism here can only be water baptism. Spiritual baptism
occurs through the preaching of the Gospel. So if Paul was sent by
Christ to preach the Gospel, then it means he was sent to baptize
people with the Holy Spirit, not with water. Paul, during his early
days as an apostle, baptized people in water. But you know what?
After he came to the knowledge of the truth, he boldly proclaimed
that Christ did not send him to baptize.
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit. 39 – For the promise is to you and to your children, and
to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 –
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying,
“Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 – Then those who
gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three
thousand souls were added to them. ]
the power to wash or cleanse man from his sins. It is the sacrifice of
Christ that takes away sin (Read John 1:29). The baptism being
referred to is spiritual baptism.
FROM VERSE 41
Verse 41 is a clear indication that the baptism that took place was
spiritual. The expression “those who received his word were
baptized” points out that the message Peter preached to them was the
Gospel. What kind of baptism takes place when people hear and
believe the Gospel? The baptism with the Spirit! The latter part of
verse 41 says that about three thousand souls were added to the
Church that day. Could the apostles have baptized all those people in
water that day? The truth is that they were baptized spiritually when
they believed the Gospel.
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus. 6 – And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit
came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. ]
Paul met some people who had been baptized with water but had not
received the Spirit. Verse 2 clearly shows that the people did not hear
the Gospel. They were only baptized with water.
After they believed Paul’s words, they got baptized. Note that this
baptism is not of water but of the Spirit. They had already been
baptized in water before they met Paul. The baptism that took place
happened immediately after they heard and believed the Gospel. They
were baptized spiritually immediately after they believed the Gospel.
Although they were baptized spiritually, the Holy Spirit had not yet
fallen upon them. Paul had to lay hands on them for the Spirit to come
upon them. The Spirit falling upon a man is different from the Holy
Spirit baptizing a man through faith in the Gospel. This is properly
taught and explained in my book titled “The Baptism of the Holy
Spirit.” What we want to establish for now is that the baptism that
took place in Acts 8:12–13 was spiritual, not physical (water
baptism).
The key element here is faith. Verse 35 tells us that Philip preached
Christ to the eunuch. Note that it was the eunuch who asked Philip to
baptize him with water (Read verse 36). Philip’s focus was not on the
water baptism; rather, his focus was on the faith of the eunuch in the
Gospel. Philip’s words in verse 37 show clearly that it is faith in
Christ that saves, not water baptism. Since the baptism of the Spirit is
by faith in the Gospel, it means the eunuch got baptized spiritually
even before he was baptized in water. The water baptism did not play
any role in his salvation because he (the eunuch) was already saved
by faith in the Gospel before he was baptized in water.
Acts 10:46-48 [ 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and
magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 – “Can anyone forbid water,
that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit
just as we have?” 48 – And he commanded them to be baptized in
the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. ]
Did you notice that all those who were baptized with water here were
people who had already received the Spirit? This means that they had
already believed the Gospel and been baptized spiritually. They were
already saved before they were baptized in water. They were saved
because they had received the Spirit. Roman 8:9 throws more light on
this.
Romans 8:9 [ But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed
the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the
Spirit of Christ, he is not His. ]
Does the man who has already received the new birth still need water
to be saved? The answer is a BIG NO! But you know what? Peter still
went on to baptize the people with water.
Acts 16:27-34 [ 27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep
and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled,
drew his sword and was about to kill himself. 28 – But Paul called
with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all
here.” 29 – Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down
trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 – And he brought them out and
said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 – So they said, “Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your
household.” 32 – Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and
to all who were in his house. 33 – And he took them the same hour
of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all
his family were baptized. 34 – Now when he had brought them into
his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed
in God with all his household. ]
What was the reply from the apostles when they were asked about
what was to be done to be saved? They said, “Believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Did
they mention water baptism? No! The only requirement for salvation
is faith in Christ.
Acts 15:7-9 [ 7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose
up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good
while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles
should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 – So God, who
knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit,
just as He did to us, 9 – and made no distinction between us and
them, purifying their hearts by faith. ]
FROM VERSE 7
Peter was chosen by God to preach the Gospel for the people to hear
and believe. Peter was not chosen to baptize people with water.
The Book of Acts is an eye witness accounts of the practices and the
general life of the early church. Although the apostles practised water
baptism in the Book of Acts, they did not establish it as a doctrine that
should be taught and practised by the church. Also, the Early Church,
as seen in the Book of Acts, was still growing in knowledge. The
Church we find in Acts is one developing in her practices. This makes
most of their practices in Acts not normative. The church later well
understood baptism over time. Let us consider how the apostles taught
and explained baptism in the Epistles.
So far, we have seen that the Early Church in Acts was a church that
was still developing in her practices, and that is why they continued to
baptize people in water. But let us consider how the Apostles taught
baptism in the various epistles.
Note that Brother Paul did not mention water. He said that believers
have been baptized into Christ. Christ does not baptize with water but
with the Spirit. Thus to be baptized into Christ means to be baptized
with the Spirit. The above portion of scripture has nothing to do with
water baptism.
Ephesians 4:4-5 [ 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you
were called in one hope of your calling; 5 – one Lord, one faith, one
baptism; ]
In verse 5, Paul talks about one baptism. This baptism can not be
water baptism. Paul is referring to baptism in Christ. In Christ, there is
one baptism, which is the baptism with the Spirit. This is the baptism
that makes all believers sons of God.
Paul says in verse 11 that believers have been circumcised, with the
circumcision made without hands. This means believers are
circumcised spiritually. Likewise, believers are baptized spiritually
with the Spirit, not with water.
Christ did not send Paul to baptize with water. He did not send us
either. We are to preach the gospel so that all who believe will be
baptized with the Spirit.
Verse 21 talks about a baptism that saves. The baptism that saves is
not the one that outwardly removes the filth of the body but the
baptism that happens by faith in Christ. The baptism that happens by
faith in Christ is spiritual baptism.
The Holy Spirit is the agent who places believers in the body of
Christ. “Baptized” here is not water baptism but Spirit baptism.
The word “all” means that there is no such thing as a Christian whom
the Holy Spirit does not baptize into the body of Christ. If the Holy
Spirit does not baptize a person into the body of Christ, then that
person is not a Christian (Romans 8:9). “All” means that there are no
exceptions. The Holy Spirit places all believers without exception in
the body of Christ.
Romans 8:9 [ But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed
the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the
Spirit of Christ, he is not His. ]
It was the Holy Spirit who caused our baptism. It is not something we
did or do. We are only receivers. How do we receive the baptism of
the Spirit? By faith in the Gospel! You were baptized by the Spirit
into Christ the day you believed the Gospel.
First and foremost, salvation is not about giving one’s life to Christ.
Salvation is not giving oneself to Christ; rather, it is receiving the
provision of God in Christ. The above verse tells us that God loved
the world, and He gave us His Son. God freely and unconditionally
gave His Son to the world. It is very vital to note that the unsaved
have nothing to give. We were dead in our trespasses. Thus, we could
not have had a life to give. We had nothing to give. It was God who
quickened us (made us alive). We were only receivers of the life.
2 Timothy 3:15 [ and that from childhood you have known the Holy
Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus. ]
The Gospel is the message of Christ’s sufferings and the glory that
followed. Thus, to believe in the Gospel is to believe in the message
of Christ’s finished work, that is, His death, burial, and resurrection.
Ephesians 2:8 [ For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ]
Salvation was, is, and will always be by grace through faith. Water
baptism is not a requirement.
Some people say that the work of the Spirit (Holy Spirit baptism) and
the act of water baptism are simultaneous—that the Holy Spirit works
in and through water baptism to bring regeneration and salvation.
Symbols and realities do not move side by side. Symbols take charge
when reality is not available. Symbols and figures are no longer
important or useful when reality is available. Water baptism was just
a shadow of the baptism of the Spirit in Christ. When Christ
resurrected, the Spirit became available to all believers. Today we
have the real water, which is the Holy Spirit, so there is no need to go
after water baptism.
The words of Brother Paul in the above verses are helpful. He tells us
not to allow anyone to judge us by things that are only shadows
because we are in Christ, and the substance (reality) is Christ. Water
baptism is just a shadow, but the reality is Christ. In Christ, we are
baptized with the Spirit.
SUMMARY
The Bible teaches that justification takes place at the point of faith in
the Gospel. At the point of faith in the Gospel, a person is said to be
saved (Acts 16:31), given eternal life (John 3:16), made a child of
God (Galatians 3:26, John 1:12), transferred from death to life
(John 5:24), justified (Romans 3:28, Romans 5:1), given the
righteousness of God (Romans 4:35, Philippians 3:9), forgiven
(Acts 10:43, Luke 7:48-50), etc.
Those who believe that baptism is necessary for salvation will agree
that a person must have faith in the Gospel to be saved, but they want
to add that after faith in the Gospel, it is necessary to be baptized in
water to be saved. The Scripture, however, does not teach that one
must believe, be baptized in water, or behave a certain way to be
saved. It teaches that a person is saved at the point of faith in the
Gospel.
because he had believed the Gospel. The water had nothing to add to
the salvation he had already received.
CONCLUSION
The purpose of John’s water baptism was to reveal Christ. Water
baptism, therefore, should have stopped immediately after Christ was
revealed through it. It should not have continued at all. The practice
of water baptism continued because the Jews, who valued the
ceremonial washings, saw baptism as sacred and a way of purifying
themselves. They cherished water baptism because they saw it as in
line with their ceremonial washings. But from what we have studied
so far, water can only purify a person physically or outwardly. The
true water that cleanses and purifies a man is the Spirit. John’s water
baptism was not the true baptism. It was only a shadow of the true
baptism, which is of the Spirit. If remission of sins and newness of
life come through water baptism, then Christ died in vain. Water
baptism was the shadow, but baptism with the Spirit is the reality.
Shadows and realities do not move together. Shadows are relevant
only in the absence of reality. All types, shadows, and figures became
of no importance when Christ resurrected. What we have in Christ are
realities, not shadows, for Christ is the substance (the reality).
There is only one baptism in Christ, which is the baptism with the
Holy Spirit. The baptism with the Holy Spirit is described in various
places in the Bible as the Spirit “poured out upon”, “falling upon”,
“clothed with”, “coming upon” people. These descriptions of the
baptism with the Holy Spirit are taught and explained in my book
titled “The Baptism of the Holy Spirit.” Get a copy for yourself.
The focus of the Church should be on baptizing people with the Holy
Spirit. We should concentrate on preaching the Gospel, putting aside
water baptism, for Christ did not send us to baptize but to preach the
Gospel.
ABOUT US
OUR MISSION
Since we are one with Christ, our mission is united with His.
God wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the
truth (Christ). The desire of the Father is our mission. Thus, we are
dedicated to reaching out to men with the gospel of salvation, and to
teaching and training believers into maturity in Christ for the work of
ministry.
Christ is our focus, therefore we teach and preach Christ (the Word)
alone. We will see the earth covered with the knowledge of Christ for
the glory of the Father.