Thread- one baptism
Mark 1: 4- John the Baptist preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin in preparation for the coming of Jesus.
John's baptism was for "in regards to/in reference to" the forgiveness of sins and not in order to obtain the forgiveness of sins. In Matthew 3:11, we read - "I baptize you with water "for" repentance.. Now was this baptism "for" in order to obtain repentance or "for" in regards to/in reference to/on the basis of repentance? You don't baptize believers in order for them to obtain repentance, but because they already repented.
Mark 1: 9- Jesus was baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness.
Baptism is a work of righteousness and we are not saved by works of righteousness which we have done (Titus 3:5).
Mark 1: 10- Jesus received the Spirit immediately following the baptism by John
Jesus' situation was unique. Mark 1:10 And immediately, coming up from the water,
He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, "You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."Did that happen at your baptism? I didn't think so. Water baptism FOLLOWED the receiving of the Holy Spirit for Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:43-47; 11:17).
John 4: 1-2- Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John, disciples are made through baptism apparently.
John 4:1 Therefore,
when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 2
(though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples). You left that out.
Matt. 28: 18- 20- Shortly before his ascension Jesus instructed his apostles to make disciples of all nations by baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and teaching them to observe all things He had commanded.
In Matthew 28:18-20, we have here a command of Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations, and baptize converts. However, it does not say here that baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation. The same command also includes the clause "teaching them to observe all things" that Jesus has commanded. Water baptism does not make you become a disciple. Becoming a disciple is a heart decision made prior to receiving water baptism.
Mark 16: 16- Jesus said that he who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved
(general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned. The omission of baptized with "does not believe" shows that Jesus does not make baptism absolutely essential to salvation. Condemnation rests on unbelief, not on a lack of baptism. So salvation rests on belief. NOWHERE does the Bible say "baptized or condemned." If water baptism is absolutely required for salvation, then why did Jesus not mention it in the following verses? (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26). What is the
ONE requirement that Jesus mentions 9 different times in each of these complete statements?
BELIEVES.
*What happened to baptism? *Hermeneutics. John 3:18 - He who
believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO)
does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO)
because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Lk. 24: 47- shortly before His ascension He said that repentance for the forgiveness of sins shall be proclaimed in His name to all the nations beginning at Jerusalem.
*What happened to baptism? As I said before,
faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18). *Perfect Harmony*
Acts 2: 38- A few days later, Jesus told the 3,000 at Jerusalem, to repent (pleural) and let each of you (singular) be baptized for the forgiveness of sin (to emphasize that each person must be baptized) and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Greek scholar AT Robertson - Change of number from plural to singular and of person from second to third. This change marks a break in the thought here that the English translation does not preserve. The first thing to do is make a radical and complete change of heart and life. Then let each one be baptized after this change has taken place, and the act of baptism be performed “in the name of Jesus Christ” (εν τωι ονοματι Ιησου Χριστου — en tōi onomati Iēsou Christou).
"One will decide the use here according as he believes that baptism is essential to the remission of sins or not. My view is decidedly against the idea that Peter, Paul, or any one in the New Testament taught baptism as essential to the remission of sins or the means of securing such remission. So I understand Peter to be urging baptism on each of them who had already turned (repented) and for it to be done in the name of Jesus Christ on the basis of the forgiveness of sins which they had already received." The illustrations of both usages are numerous in the N.T. and the Koin, generally (Robertson, Grammar, page 592).
Acts 2: 39- the 3,000 was promised that they and their children, and all far off (the Gentiles), and all that God would called, would receive the Spirit when they repented and were baptized.
These Gentiles received the Holy Spirit when they repented and believed BEFORE they were water baptized (Acts 10:43-47; 11:17,18).
Acts 2: 21- those that called on the name of the Lord (by repentance and baptism) shall be saved.
You mean by repentance and faith. Water baptism FOLLOWS.
Acts 2: 37- IMO the 3,000 believed when they had been “pierced to the heart,” but they were not forgiven and not saved until they had repented and were baptized.
False. In Acts 2:37, their "belief" at that point was only "mental assent" that Jesus was the Messiah and that they were guilty of crucifying Him. That is not saving belief yet. They still lacked "trust and reliance in Christ alone for salvation." In verse 40, they heard more from Peter and in verse 41, when they gladly received his word (through repentance/faith), the change of mind was complete and the end result was saving faith in Christ.
Acts 22: 16- Baptism in the name of Christ is for the forgiveness of sin. Those who have been baptized in the name of Christ have called upon His name.
The Greek aorist participle, epikalesamenos, translated "calling on His name" refers either to action that is simultaneous with or before that of the main verb, "be baptized." Here Paul’s calling on Christ’s name for salvation preceded his water baptism. The participle may be translated "having called on His name" which makes more sense, as it would clearly indicate the order of the events.
Jamison, Fausset, and Brown Commentary makes not of the importance of the Greek in Ananias' statement. When Ananias tells Paul to "arise, be baptized, wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord," the tense of the last command is literally "having called" (aorist middle participle). "Calling on [epikalesamenos] --- 'having (that is, after having) called on,' referring the confession of Christ which preceded baptism." [Jamison, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, vol. 3 pg. 160].
Kenneth Wuest picks up on this Greek nuance and translates the verse as follows: "And now, why are you delaying? Having arisen, be baptized and wash away your sins, having previously called upon His Name." (Acts 22:16, Wuest's Expanded NT).
Acts 4: 12- Salvation is only in the name of Christ.
Acts 4:12 - Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is
no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
The baptism of John has always been a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sin, forgiveness is associated with both repentance and baptism.
Forgiveness is SIGNIFIED, yet not procured in water baptism, but through repentance/faith. Water baptism is regularly associated with conversion and salvation (sign, symbol), rather than absolutely required for salvation. Big difference!
Jesus received the Spirit immediately following His baptism by John. We all are promised the gift of the Spirit following repentance and baptism in the name of Christ, the one notable exception is Cornelius who received the Spirit upon believing, this was to accomplish God’s purpose to show the Gentiles were included.
Cornelius receiving the Holy Spirit upon believing yet prior to receiving water baptism was no exception.
Acts 15:8 - 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.
Ephesians 1:13 - In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the
gospel of your salvation - having also
believed, you were
sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise.
This order was first prophesied by Ez. 36: 25-27 ---first water, then the Spirit.
God bless.
This prophesy is not about salvation by water baptism. Such sprinkling or cleansing was symbolized in the Mosaic rites of purification in regards to ceremonial washing (Numbers 19:17-19; Psalm 119:9).
In the John 3:25, we read - An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of
ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is
baptizing, and everyone is going to him.” You continue to confuse the symbol with the reality. Now read on in Ezekiel 36 - I will give you a
new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will
put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.