OBS: God's Word is a Progressive Plan (Part.6.1)
The Meaning of Water Baptism
in the Law and Grace Dispensations
Water baptism is a widely disputed subject in churches today and disputes can range from it not being necessary to it being an absolute requirement for salvation. Furthermore, if it is practiced, how must it be done and in what name must it be committed. Churches have been split based on peoples beliefs and so much confusion still exists regarding this subject, simply because many misunderstand the topic and do not rightly divide the truth to bring it into context and clarity.
In this post I'm not going to deep dive into a study on water baptism, but I do want to compare what it means between the law and grace dispensations and bring you to an understanding of what THE BIBLE SAYS about it and not what men's traditions say about it.
It is interesting to note that the word 'Baptism' does not appear even one time in the Old Testament of the King James Bible. The first entry of the word in the bible is in,
Matt.3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, ... 6 And were baptized of him [John] in [the river] Jordan, confessing their sins.
In the Old Testament the closest we come to this practice is the word 'wash', which in the context of the verse or passage is in reference to a cleansing of a priest as part of the process to take that office (for Israel) or in reference to a priest preparing himself (cleansing himself) before making an offering to the Lord on behalf of someone else.
The following is my own personal observation, but its interesting to note that water is the cleansing agent (for the forgiveness of sins, Acts 2:38) of the Jewish priests, (when they come into office or before they perform their duties), but blood is the cleansing agent that priests use for the nation of Israel (or for the individual Jew).
Let's have a look at some verses in this context, starting with the very first reference to washing (as an act of sanctification). This occurs when Israel is encamped around Sinai after leaving Egypt, and is about to receive the law,
Ex.19:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes, 11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
Four verses before the above verse, in Ex.19:6, God proclaims that Israel is to be a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation. This is significant as directly after this (in v.10), we see the Lord instruct Moses to let the nation wash.
In addition to washing, a priest, when promoted to this office was also to be anointed. Let's have a look at further scriptures in this regard,
Ex.29:4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water. ... 7 Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.
A priest was to be washed and anointed. Washing (in the context of a priest) was for cleansing of sin. Anointing shows that the priest was set apart for a holy service to God. (See verses: Lev.8:10-12; Ps.51:2,7; Ezek.16:9; Acts 2:38).
It is interesting to see how washing and anointing changed into something different in the New Testament. Washing in the Old Testament became baptism in the New Testament. Anointing in the Old Testament is the same as receiving the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Let's look at some verses in the New Testament to see this context.
Matt.3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Having read the above verse, consider this. Jesus was without sin, so why did He have to be washed (baptized)? Well, remember what we learned from the Old Testament. In order for priests to come into their office, they needed to be washed and anointed. Can you see the pattern in this event. To meet the requirement of priesthood according to the law, Jesus, even though he was without sin, was required to be washed (baptized). Notice what he told John in verse 15,
Matt.3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. ...
Also notice that after Jesus was 'washed', the Holy Spirit came upon Him and He was anointed and 'separated for a holy purpose'.
As we continue to delve into the New Testament, have a look at Peter's preaching of the Kingdom gospel after the day of Pentecost,
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized [washed] in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit [anointed].
Do you see the pattern here? Peter is preaching to the Jews. His call is going out to ALL of Israel, since Israel is the Kingdom of Priests (Ex.19:6). The Kingdom gospel preached to them is a call for Israel to prepare themselves for priesthood, so notice the gospel's criteria; repent and BE BAPTIZED ... to be cleansed of your sins, so that you can be ANOINTED in receiving the Holy Spirit.
Friends, I want to lay out the obvious here. Washing, as a form of sanctification, started with the nation of Israel, since God called them to an office of priesthood. This washing was for the purpose of cleansing of sin and being separated for a holy purpose. This washing became the practice of baptism in the New Testament as Israel drew nearer their Kingdom purpose and to their calling as a nation of priests. So, it is all about Israel. Washing, baptism, anointing, the gift of the Holy Spirit, --it is all for Israel under the Kingdom dispensation. For us, the Body of Christ, under the grace dispensation, these ordinances have no meaning. We are never called to be priests and to serve God as a mediator between Him and the nations. We do not need to be anointed and be separated unto God as priests. Don't get me wrong, we are set apart, we are separated unto the gospel (Rom.1:1) and unto a holy purpose (2 Cor.6:17), to hear the call of our Head and do works according to His will (Phil.2:13). However, the ordinance of baptism is not designed for us, and it is not a requirement in our purpose as the Body of Christ.
In our grace dispensation, no water baptism is needed! We are baptized by the Holy Spirit,
1 Cor.12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (See also Gal.3:27)
1 Cor.1:17 For Christ did not send me [Paul] to baptize, but to preach the gospel,
Since we do not have a role of being priests, there is no need for water to be used to cleanse us from sin in order to perform a duty. We are cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus blood, not water washes away our sin. Eph.1:7,Col.1:14.
In order to remove confusion and stop disputes about baptism, we need to recognize what the Bible really says about it and stop following after the traditions of men and advice which has been handed down from others who have a contextually wrong view of the topic (see Mk.7:1-10; Col.2:8). We need to recognize what water baptism is not. First, it isn't an external demonstration of an internal conviction. That is nowhere to be found in the Bible. I'm not disputing the liberty we have in demonstrating our commitment to spiritual things, but ask yourself why you want to demonstrate something that is not biblically in context with our doctrine. Second, water baptism isn't a picture of a burial and resurrection. That, also, is nowhere in the Bible. Water baptism is a cleansing process practiced in Israel's law program and there is no mention of it as a symbol of burial in the bible. Although Rom.6:4 and Col.2:12 speak of baptism, it is not in context with water baptism. It is a spiritual baptism (or an immersion) into Christs death. Lastly, baptism is absolutely not required for salvation as one's faith is placed utterly and solely in the knowing that Christ's cross-work is the only works that is necessary for your salvation, Gal.5:3-4, Rom.11:6.
In Addition
In Israel’s program, water baptism is not limited to Jews —Gentiles in
Israel’s program also needed water baptism. Jesus Christ commissioned His 12
apostles, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). God
told Israel, “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be
clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you”
(Ezekiel 36:25). Matthew 28:19 refers to believing Gentiles in Christ’s
millennial kingdom (verse 20), and based on Ezekiel 36:25 that water baptism
is necessary for believing Gentiles in Israel’s program because they also need
to be cleansed from their pagan idolatry (and thus they will embrace the
triune Godhead, the only true God).
(Quoted
from: https://forwhatsaiththescriptures.org/2013/12/10/why-is-water-baptism-necessary-in-israels-program/)
Grace and peace to you.
See the video of this lesson here.
Click here to go to Part 6.2 in this study...
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