Correcting a common misunderstanding of water baptism

Correcting a common misunderstanding of water baptism

I'd just like to clarify that when I post these sorts of posts, it's because I believe they can be a good source of instruction and correction. Paul tells us that the Word of God, rightly divided (2Tim.2:15), is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works, 2Tim.3:16-17. So, in this regard, when someone posts something that does not agree with a rightly divided context, I take the opportunity presented and use it for teaching purposes. God bless.

Social Media Response:

Nobody has ever explained the difference between old Covenant and New Covenant teaching. The things that were required under the old Covenant include tithing and obeying the law and making sacrifices for your sins. Under the New Covenant all is required to be saved is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2: 8-9, Titus 3:5 - once you have been redeemed and believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you need to walk in the spirit, in order to understand what that means read Galatians 5:19 - 25. Baptism in water is included because of the Great commission when Jesus commanded his disciples to go into all the world and proclaim the good news of the Gospel, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. If you have not been baptized, you are still saved and still a believer but, because Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize, then we need to be also to follow the Lord's example, BUT JUST REMEMBER THAT BAPTISM DOES NOT SAVE YOU. Read also: Romans 10:9–10.

My Reply:

I am in agreement until the word "baptism". Let me clarify that baptism is also part of the Jewish covenant program which (like tithing) is not to be carried over into our current grace program. Baptism originated under the Mosaic instructions concerning the washings of the Levitical priesthood. Since all of Israel is a kingdom of priests (Ex.19:6;1 Pet.2:9), the purpose of baptism (priestly washing) is applicable to all Jews under their covenant program if they are to enter the Kingdom.

As for the grace program of the Body of Christ, we have only one baptism, and it has nothing to do with water. It is the Holy Spirit who baptises us into the Body of Christ in the instant that a person believes the grace gospel and is saved, Eph.4:5.

It is important to rightly divide the Word of truth and not mix, blend together, the covenant program of the Kingdom with the Grace program of the Body of Christ. Mixing together these programs produces a confusing and contradictory doctrine.

False notions on how to follow Jesus

False notions on how to follow Jesus

COMMENT:

To follow the Lord there is more to it than just faith. It takes action to prove our compliance - to become a disciple it’s a requirement to be baptised, fully immersed with water. Think of how Jesus was baptised. Afterwards he set the standard - he said pick up your cross and follow me, meaning surrender your life to Jehovah. He spent his last 3 and a half years preaching and teaching.

He warned his disciples that false Prophets would emerges and teach false doctrine and said that we should avoid them. So, we need to be on the watch because Satan does use contaminated doctrine to delude us.

ANSWER to correct these false notions:

If you read James 1:1, you will see that James addresses his epistle to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad. This is in reference to the 12-tribes of Israel who were scattered, some years earlier due to the persecution initiated by Saul (Paul). Thus, the doctrine of this epistle, and that of all the other epistles from Hebrews onwards, is NOT addressed to, or for application by the Body of Christ. The Body of Christ has its own apostle, Paul, Rom 11:13, and its own doctrine, the 13-epistles of Paul.

Why were the baptisms required for Israel?

Why were the baptisms required for Israel?

Exodus 19:5 Now, therefore, if you will obey my voice indeed and keep my Covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all the people, for all the Earth is mine. And you shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Exodus 19 is when Moses begins to give the Old Testament law to Israel, and he tells them right up front, God's intention with Israel is to make them a kingdom of priests.

Lev 21:16-21 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, (17) Speak unto Aaron, saying, Whosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that hath any blemish, let him not approach to offer the bread of his God. (18) For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath a flat nose, or any thing superfluous, (19) Or a man that is brokenfooted, or brokenhanded, (20) Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken; (21) No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God.

According to Leviticus 21, there were some obvious requirements placed upon the priests who were to approach to offer the offerings of the Lord. They had to be a perfect physical specimen.

OBS: God's Word is a Progressive Plan (Part.6.1)

This is Part 6 of the Series

Click here for the previous lesson: Part 5.2 (Point #2)

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.