We are Spirit baptized "into the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:13) not water baptized. In what sense are we water baptized into Christ? In the same sense that the Israelites were "baptized into Moses" (1 Corinthians 10:2). Were the Israelites literally water baptized into the body of Moses? Absolutely not. As Greek scholar AT Robertson explains - Baptism is the public proclamation of one's inward spiritual relation to Christ attained before the baptism. Into his death (ei ton qanaton autou). So here "unto his death," "in relation to his death," which relation Paul proceeds to explain by the symbolism of the ordinance. We were buried therefore with him by means of baptism unto death (sunetaphmen oun autwi dia tou baptismato ei ton qanaton). Second aorist passive indicative of sunqaptw, old verb to bury together with, in N.T. only here and Colossians 2:12 . With associative instrumental case (autwi) and "by means of baptism unto death" as in verse Colossians 3. In newness of life (en kainothti zwh). The picture in baptism points two ways, backwards to Christ's death and burial and to our death to sin (verse Colossians 1 ), forwards to Christ's resurrection from the dead and to our new life pledged by the coming out of the watery grave to walk on the other side of the baptismal grave (F. B. Meyer). There is the further picture of our own resurrection from the grave. It is a tragedy that Paul's majestic picture here has been so blurred by controversy that some refuse to see it. It should be said also that a symbol is not the reality, but the picture of the reality. Water baptism is the PICTURE, NOT THE CAUSE.
"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (Gal. 3: 27)[/QUOTE] Notice in Galatians 3:27, that those who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Now for the word "enduo" (put on). This word also appears in Romans 13:14 where we read, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill it’s lusts." This exhortation is not to a sinner, telling him to be baptized to "put on" Christ, but it is written to Christians. Evidently then, baptism is not the only way to "put on" Christ. To "put on" Christ is to conform to Him, imitate Him. So it is in baptism; we "put on" Christ, conforming to Him in the ordinance that declares Him to be our Savior. So if we must "put on" Christ to be saved through water baptism, apparently we are not saved yet. We must also “put on” Christ by making no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts (Romans 13:14). Right? Let’s be consistent.
As Greek scholar A.T. Robertson explains - "This verb is common in the sense of putting on garments (literally and metaphorically as here). In I Thessalonians 5:8 - Paul speaks of "putting on the breastplate of righteousness." He does not here mean that one enters into Christ and so is saved by means of baptism after the teaching of the mystery religions, but just the opposite. We are justified by faith in Christ, not by circumcision or by baptism. But baptism was the public profession and pledge, the soldier’s sacramentum, oath of fealty to Christ, taking one’s stand with Christ, the symbolic picture of the change wrought by faith already. One does not put on a uniform in order to become a soldier. Simply putting on a soldier’s uniform does not make one a soldier. Once he is made a soldier he is then able to wear the uniform that distinguishes or marks him as a soldier. Putting on a judge’s robe does not, in itself, make anyone a "judge." But, one who has been made a judge is qualified to put on "judicial robes" and thus declare his qualifications. So too with being baptized the Christian puts on robes for which he has previously been qualified to wear. The putting on of Christian attire is not what makes one a Christian, but one which becomes a token of it.
For by ONE SPIRIT we were all baptized into ONE BODY.. This is clearly SPIRIT baptism, not water baptism and not both baptisms merged together.
The one baptism is Spirit baptism and the two elements are living water and Spirit (John 3:5; 4:10,14; 7:37-39). The natural man can only understand natural plain ordinary H20.
We are immersed into the body of Christ through Spirit baptism, not water baptism. This is common sense to genuine believers. To unbelievers/those who are spiritually discerned, this truth makes no sense. Just as notuptome pointed out in post #154 - "Until you understand the difference between Spirit baptism and water baptism you will continue in error." You will not understand the difference and will continue in error UNTIL you REPENT and BELIEVE the gospel and only then will the blinders be lifted - 2 Corinthians 4:3,4.
"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." (Gal. 3: 27)[/QUOTE] Notice in Galatians 3:27, that those who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Now for the word "enduo" (put on). This word also appears in Romans 13:14 where we read, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill it’s lusts." This exhortation is not to a sinner, telling him to be baptized to "put on" Christ, but it is written to Christians. Evidently then, baptism is not the only way to "put on" Christ. To "put on" Christ is to conform to Him, imitate Him. So it is in baptism; we "put on" Christ, conforming to Him in the ordinance that declares Him to be our Savior. So if we must "put on" Christ to be saved through water baptism, apparently we are not saved yet. We must also “put on” Christ by making no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts (Romans 13:14). Right? Let’s be consistent.
As Greek scholar A.T. Robertson explains - "This verb is common in the sense of putting on garments (literally and metaphorically as here). In I Thessalonians 5:8 - Paul speaks of "putting on the breastplate of righteousness." He does not here mean that one enters into Christ and so is saved by means of baptism after the teaching of the mystery religions, but just the opposite. We are justified by faith in Christ, not by circumcision or by baptism. But baptism was the public profession and pledge, the soldier’s sacramentum, oath of fealty to Christ, taking one’s stand with Christ, the symbolic picture of the change wrought by faith already. One does not put on a uniform in order to become a soldier. Simply putting on a soldier’s uniform does not make one a soldier. Once he is made a soldier he is then able to wear the uniform that distinguishes or marks him as a soldier. Putting on a judge’s robe does not, in itself, make anyone a "judge." But, one who has been made a judge is qualified to put on "judicial robes" and thus declare his qualifications. So too with being baptized the Christian puts on robes for which he has previously been qualified to wear. The putting on of Christian attire is not what makes one a Christian, but one which becomes a token of it.
For by ONE SPIRIT we were all baptized into ONE BODY.. This is clearly SPIRIT baptism, not water baptism and not both baptisms merged together.
The one baptism is Spirit baptism and the two elements are living water and Spirit (John 3:5; 4:10,14; 7:37-39). The natural man can only understand natural plain ordinary H20.
We are immersed into the body of Christ through Spirit baptism, not water baptism. This is common sense to genuine believers. To unbelievers/those who are spiritually discerned, this truth makes no sense. Just as notuptome pointed out in post #154 - "Until you understand the difference between Spirit baptism and water baptism you will continue in error." You will not understand the difference and will continue in error UNTIL you REPENT and BELIEVE the gospel and only then will the blinders be lifted - 2 Corinthians 4:3,4.
