(Aquila;54231)
Here's the deal...John's baptism was a mikvah. It was a Jewish conversion practice done as part of Judaism. This was only a preparatory practice preparing the masses, it's known as the "baptism of repentance". There's a distinction between John’s Baptism of Repentance and Christian Baptism. In John’s Baptism of Repentance the convert took upon themselves repentance and was still identified with Judaism. However, Christian Baptism identifies the convert with Christ. Notice the name that water baptism was originally performed in
Acts 2:38-41 KJV)(38) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (39) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. (40) And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (41) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.(Acts 8:14-17 KJV)(14) Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: (15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (16) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized
in the name of the Lord Jesus.) (17) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.(Acts 10:44-48 KJV) (44) While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. (45) And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. (46) For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, (47) Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (48) And he commanded them to be baptized
in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.(Acts 19:1-6 KJV)(1) And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, (2) He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. (3) And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. (4) Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. (5) When they heard this, they were baptized
in the name of the Lord Jesus. (6) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.Water baptism was originally performed in the singular name of Jesus Christ, thereby identifying the believer with Jesus. This separated and distinguished them from Judaism…including the baptism of John. Notice in Acts 19 the disciples in Ephesus had already been water baptized by John…BUT Paul re-baptizes them in the name of Jesus to identify them with Christ…(Acts 19:1-6 KJV)(1) And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, (2) He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. (3)
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. (4) Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. (5) When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (6) And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.The baptism of John (John’s Baptism unto Repentance) is very different from Christian Baptism…if they were the same these Ephesian believers would not have needed to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. The two are different. Many don’t realize this and confuse the two thinking baptism is baptism. Wrong. John’s baptism and Christian baptism are very different. Only Christian baptism identifies one with Christ and his death, burial, and resurrection. Now…the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is the spiritual side of baptism. John’s Baptism only baptized the outer man, the physical man. Christian Baptism (the one baptism of Christianity) is composed of both Water and Spirit, baptizing the ENTIRE person (physical nature and spirit nature). Therefore New Testament Christian baptism is complete whereas all other practices were just outward acts. Here’s one major problem with us in Christianity…too many of us have yet to enter into the one baptism completely. Some have only been water baptized, baptizing the physical man…but haven’t received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Some have received the baptism of the Holy Ghost…but have not obeyed and been water baptized. The water and blood flow together…as seen when Christ’s side was pierced; John puts it this way:1 John 5:8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.What agrees and testifies to our salvation? It is the Spirit (in the Holy Ghost baptism) the water (in water baptism) and the blood (wherewith we are sanctified) that testify to our salvation and part in the New Covenant. Here’s something to consider, water baptism is as important to Christians in the New Covenant as Circumcision was to the Jew in the Old Covenant….Colossians 2:10-12 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12Buried 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.So we don’t need to be circumcised per the Old Covenant…but we are circumcised with the “circumcision made without hands” when buried with Jesus in water baptism. Paul was essentially arguing that through baptism they were already circumcised… with the “circumcision made without hands”. If you didn’t believe in the significance of water baptism and it’s identification with Christ and as a key part of the New Covenant much like circumcision was for the Jews…you’d not get along well with Paul. LOL You have to take the ENTIRE teaching of Scripture not just a few isolated verses and apply it to a subject or you’ll get the wrong idea. You see many take verses Paul wrote in the Epistles and stand on them…but they fail to realize that each letter wasn’t written to sinners…it was written to an already established church! A church that had already obeyed the gospel; meaning they had believed on the Lord, repented of sin, been water baptized in his name, and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Before one can claim any promise of the Epistles…one has to obey the very same Gospel as the churches to whom the Epistles were written! Praise God! I feel the Holy Ghost. LOL Paul wrote:1 Corinthians 4:16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.1 Corinthians 11:1Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.When I was in college I was always told, “When you hear something twice in a lecture or from a professor…it’s going to be on the test.” LOL Twice Paul admonishes the Corinthian church to be immulators of himself. Now…let’s look at Paul’s testimony….Acts 9:1-18 1And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. 8And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 10And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 17And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose,
and was baptized.Acts 22:10-16 10And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus;
and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. 11And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. 12And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. So we are to be followers of Paul…PAUL OBEYED THE GOSPEL and was baptized in the name of the Lord! The “greasy grace” and “sloppy agape” doctrine of easy believism will always appeal to the flesh because it’s ooey, gooey, and easy. It’s primarily designed to gather as many converts as possible without asking anything of them so that they can begin tithing and bringing in money. Don’t give me easy believism. Give me the full, complete, whole, gospel truth of Scripture! Praise God. Luv ya'll but the truth is the truth. I know many today want to hear smooth things....but the truth is the truth.The message has never changed...(Acts 2:38 KJV)(38) Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and
be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and
ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
So how can you fit the thief (malefactors) that died on a cross, who wasn't water baptized, yet Christ say He promised to save him?Luke 23:42 -
And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.Luke 23:43 -
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Praise the Lord
