Baptism and Beyond in the Age of Grace
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Romans 6:3
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?”
King James Version (KJV)
Romans 6:4
“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.”
Yes, and now let's move On...
Hebrews -
See my detailed study of Understanding Hebrews in the Age of Grace - Kick Out the Hyper-Dispensationalists
Hebrews 6:2
“Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”
King James Version (KJV)
Hebrews
Chapter 6
1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3And this will we do, if God permit.
4For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
7For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God:
8But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.
9But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
11And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
12That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
13For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
14Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
15And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
1 Corinthians 3:2
“I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.”
King James Version (KJV)
Here in Hebrews Paul is again admonishing the
Hebrews 5:12
“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”
King James Version (KJV)
Hebrews 5:13
“For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.”
King James Version (KJV)
Hebrews 5:14
“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
King James Version (KJV)
Note: I realize all the teachers of Dispensations like Robert Breaker and Dr. Eugene Kim teach the Pauline Epistles are for the Church and after Philemon the rest of the Bible does not apply to the Church for our doctrine - UNLESS other scripture can be harmonized with the Gospel given to Paul. And this is where most bible students fall off the proverbial cliff in their maturity. They think Philemon is where we hit STOP. They also truly believe that Paul didn't write Hebrews which it is painfully obvious he did, and that Hebrews was strictly written to the JEWS and NOT the GENTILES which is astounding considering Paul makes it clear there is neither JEW nor GENTILE in the Body of Christ.
Regarding the practice of Baptism AFTER someone is saved to show an outward sign is of no consequence or offense against the Gospel. We clearly see in 1 Corinthians 1:14-16 that Paul baptized but realized it was causing confusion since it is not required for salvation and by carnal Christians claiming one had to be baptized by certain apostles etc. Therefore Paul certified that he was not called to Baptise but to preach the Gospel (of GRACE). We know by Acts 9:18,16:15, 19:1-6, 22:16 that Paul was NOT opposed to Baptism as an outward sign. We know these people Paul baptized were already saved. Please understand this.
All of the old Bible Scholars understood Hebrews regarding Baptism as it being well understood that the act of Baptism is to be practiced - NOT as being part of the GOSPEL of GRACE - Salvation - but as a OUTWARD SIGN: Here's is Matthew Henry's account:
3. The doctrine of baptisms, that is, of being baptized by a minister of Christ with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as the initiating sign or seal of the covenant of grace, strongly engaging the person so baptized to get acquainted with the new covenant, to adhere to it, and prepare to renew it at the table of the Lord and sincerely to regulate himself according to it, relying upon the truth and faithfulness of God for the blessings contained in it. And the doctrine of an inward baptism, that of the Spirit sprinkling the blood of Christ upon the soul, for justification, and the graces of the Spirit for sanctification. This ordinance of baptism is a foundation to be rightly laid, and daily remembered, but not repeated.
King James Version (KJV)
Baptism illustrates a believer’s identification with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Romans 6:3-4.
The action of being immersed in the water illustrates dying and being buried with Christ. The action of coming out of the water pictures Christ’s resurrection.
We all have tremendous battle scars from our walk. I have written volumes. Sadly, people who think that Baptism is wrong are hyper-dispensationalists and are missing the entire point of what Paul wrote about Baptism.
Please read these studies:
Watchman Nee is NOT saying we have to be Baptized to be Saved. Hyper-Dispensationalists are stirring up the same division that happened in the church at Corinth about getting caught up with Baptism. I have stated BAPTISM IS NOT REQUIRED FOR SALVATION. Only a Hyper Dispensationalist tells Christians DO NOT GET BAPTIZED.. PERIOD! This is a Religious Spirit. This is precisely what I write about in the tyranny of the weaker Brother...
As we Saints know and understand, in this dispensation of GRACE, water Baptism is NOT the Gospel given to Paul and certainly not a requirement for our salvation. This is a most serious matter as anything beyond 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 KJB is preaching another Gospel and is a serious offense - Galatians 1:8,9 KJB refers.
The practice of Baptism AFTER someone is saved to show an outward sign is of no consequence or offense against the Gospel.
Scripture is also clear in Colossians 2:12 that spiritual circumcision is illustrated by baptism. We are buried with Christ in baptism, and raised with Him through faith in the working of God. Baptism answers circumcision.
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 2:12 KJB.
Colossians 2 :12 The work of Jesus in His people through spiritual circumcision and illustrated by baptism. It is most clear that baptism does illustrate our identification with the death and resurrection life of Jesus. We were buried with Jesus, and buried under the water. We are also raised with Him, and raised up out of the water. And of course Paul makes it clear that circumcision and baptism are not required for our salvation but it is nevertheless clear that baptism is an outward sign.
I’d also like to add two other key scriptures regarding Baptism. Although Paul is referring to Holidays and Food he tells the Colossians that they must not let anyone judge them regarding a “practice” of observance: “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Colossians 2:16 KJB .
We are also told that as mature Christians all things are lawful to us:
1 Corinthians 6:12: KJB:
All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
Realizing this we are also not to cause others to stumble. Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8. This was always about the baby Christian not comprehending the freedom in Christ under Grace.
Saying this, I would never try to compel someone to be baptized AFTER they are saved nor would I ever attempt to discourage someone to get Baptized if they wanted to. Perfect case in point was while I was living and ministering in Vietnam I led a young man from the UK to Christ and he immediately demanded that I must Baptize him so he can truly be saved. After exhaustingly explaining this was not a requirement under GRACE, he still insisted. We then proceeded early the next morning to the Ocean and he was elated after I baptized him.
We have to guard against the tyranny of the weaker brother. I wrote a detailed Blog on this regarding my long and painful process in disciplining a new babe in Christ until it became unbearable.
A Weaker Brother or Sister in Christ IS and IS NOT our Burden to Bear (thethirdheaventraveler.com)
The final straw between us was him being very upset I had used Dr. Andy Woods’ work “The Coming Kingdom” in my work. This man contended that Andy Woods used the NASB Bible and therefore all of his work must be thrown into the dustbin. This was a religious work of a carnal christian and feeble minded. I respected his opinion but politely told him I was not going to discard Andy Woods’ reference but I would clearly point out the error where Woods destroyed Luke 17:21 with his NASB translation and warn readers of this offense.
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2018/10/reproving-dr-andrew-woods-case-study-in.html
I’ve also had falling out with several other carnal christians regarding another key problem and that is HYPER DISPENSATIONALISM.
I’ve actually had Christians tell me I can’t refer to the Church in the book of Revelation because we only use the Pauline Epistles.
Or that the Bride of Christ is for Israel and not the church because the church is the Body of Christ. Etc. Dispensationalism is important, but Hyper-Dispensationalism is frankly demonic.
The Little Flock Comes to The Church; The Antivenom for the Hyper-Dispensationalist (thethirdheaventraveler.com)
Finally, as a maturing Christian I know and stand on 1 Corinthians 2:15 KJB.
In conclusion it's interesting you stay away from 1 Corinthians 1:13-17KJB. I addressed this in my previous post to you.
We need to understand that Paul Baptized NOT as the GOSPEL but as a SIGN. He saw the confusion LIKE YOU'RE GOING THROUGH and where some Corinthians were actually claiming and bragging they were Baptized by Paul, that Paul states, I 'n glad I only baptized these few. Please research this.
Through faith in the working of God: This demonstrates that Paul understood that the power of regeneration was not in baptism or received by the act of baptism, but received through faith in the working of God.
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