Scripture of the Day
Acts 11:16 (NKJV)
“Divided By Water”
Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
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Two men are talking on the subway, and the conversation about our Great GOD began! They had a wonderful time talking about HIS goodness and blessings. They shared their testimonies of what GOD had done for them and their families. They spoke on spiritual, theological and practical aspects of the relationship with CHRIST! Even after the subway ride came to an end, they realized that they were getting off at the same stop, and both agreed that it had to be the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit that brought them together! Then the discussion took a sharp turn when the subject of baptism came up! One did not believe the bible said we had to be completely submerged in the water. In fact, he pointed out this verse and said that it states John baptized “with” water, not “in” water!
Wow! How many of us are divided by the water? Now as the other man continued to say he had not given that much thought, the arguing man continued on with stating his case that we did not need to be completely submerged in the water. As the new friend continued to listen, he finally asked this question, “How much does it matter?” The other man shouted, “What do you mean how much does it matter!” His friend responded with, “JESUS died, JESUS rose, JESUS lives . . . and we are saved! How much does the water matter?”
John 3:16 tells us why we are given salvation. Romans 10:9-10 tells us how we are saved. And JESUS demonstrated that baptism is important, for HE HIMSELF was baptized (Matthew 3:16). Although this topic does develop some interesting conversations, I don’t think it should divide our love for GOD and each other! Many friendships have been dissolved over this topic and many like it! Keep the main thing the main thing! If we all agree that GOD so loved the world, and that if we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart, then we are saved . . . why would we let anything divide us! For we are all baptized in the Holy Spirit!
Let us all wade in the water together and live by the Holy Spirit as one! Amen!
8 comments:
WOW.....Now, that SOD was truly a great sermon! "Divided By Water"
As many preachers will say, I don't want to preach on top of the sermon but.....this subject is another one of those that cause us to divide: Some churches today believe a person does not have to be baptized, while others believe it is required for salvation. Some baptize by total immersion, and others believe this is not necessary. Some baptize infants while others believe this is wrong. There are even some that speak against water baptism. There are some that speak against being baptized a second time, yet they themselves, if they would travel to Israel and have the chance to be baptized in the Jordan River, may run to be baptized a second or even a third time....this subject clearly has caused us much division!
Why do we Christians "major" in the "minors?" Most of us want to have our way, which sadly, often leads to divisions amongst us (i.e. denominational doctrines that divide)?
James 4:1-10 Ask, What Causes Fights Among You?
(Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not)
When we Christians find ourselves embroiled in fights with each other, we should examine what we are doing in the light of this question. James's point in 4:2 is, quite simply, that our desires lead to fighting because of our immorality in trying to grasp what we want.
My first question about baptism is: Was the thief on the cross baptized by water or by the Spirit?
While the act of water baptism is largely symbolic, it is however essential that you have your sins remitted? The remission of sins comes through faith, not the washing of water. Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
The act of being born again is an instantaneous act. You cannot be saved without the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Water baptism does not save us in and of itself. Water baptism is a physical act that testifies to a spiritual event.
Let's take a look at Luke 3:22: The Holy Ghost baptism is the baptism that Jesus spoke about to James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Mark 10:38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask; can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? And be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? 39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized...
I believe Jesus was saying that they could not possibly partake of the same physical water baptism (nor can we be baptized in that same physical body of water that Jesus partook of--that event is past tense, everyone would have to be there simultaneously to partake) but we can all partake of the Holy Ghost baptism that Jesus received. The Word of God tells us that there is only one Spirit. (Ephesians 4:4: There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.)
People too often pick and choose specific verses as weapons to fight about, rather than seeking to first understand the "Big picture," the essential intent from the "hold of Scripture," i.e., letting the "hold Bible" interpret itself; not using isolated verses to make a personal point! You can't see the picture a jigsaw puzzle with only one piece in place! No, I am not saying that the Bible is a jigsaw puzzle, but I am sure you get my point.
Baptism verses:
Luke 23:43 The thief on the cross next to Jesus never had occasion to partake of water baptism, yet Jesus said he would be in paradise.
Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Acts 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
The point is should we be baptized by water (I say yes)? Are we also Baptized by the Holy Spirit (no doubt)? So why should we be divided about how we are to go about water baptism? It's at least clear to me that most Bible verses speak of "immersion" in water; never does it say "sprinkling" nor does it say "do not" "sprinkle" for that matter.
Acts chapter 2, verse 41 (Acts 2:41) - On the first day of the Christian church 3,000 people were baptized after believing; clearly this demonstrates that after believing we are to be baptized (note the clear order of things--the 3,000 people were already saved before the "outward sign" of their baptism!)
I do apologize for preaching on top of an already great SOD, so what's the Bottom line?
Yes, the Bible tells us to water baptize, but more importantly, we are first baptized by the Holy Spirit, and just as important is that we walk in the Spirit. We must be empowered by love the Love of God, so that we are able to love one another; which is then our hearts desire to continually seek unity in the fellowship of Christ's Church!
"Let us all wade in the water together and live by the Holy Spirit as one!"
Let us MAJOR on the MAJOR things -- Loving God & Loving One Another!
LET THE CHURCH SAY AMEN
To Our God Be All The Glory!
PREACH My Brother! This was awesome. I had to stop about halfway and give GOD some praise! This was powerful. You don't have to apologize for preaching on the top of a sermon . . . JESUS preached on top of a mountain! And we are to lift each other up as well in our deliverance of HIS Word! Many days I have been able to lean on the mountain of your shoulders and today it is humbling to be the shoulders that have lifted a word from you!
I at times fine that everything is always a clear as we may think they are...and requires us to study the Scriptures closer and closer... The problem is not with what God said, but rather with man's perception and ability to properly interpret the text....because we fall short...and we still see darkly.... This means that God's word does not contradict itself and that all God says is always consistent with everything else He has said. Scriptures such as Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:5, and many other passages clearly teach that salvation is not acquired through ritual or any religious work. Baptism is a religious rite (work) and therefore has no saving properties and is not necessary for salvation.
You asked, "Where does it state in the bible that the Apostles were immerged in water?" Well, I did a little more research:
Untold numbers of Christians have been confused concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Every person who has been saved has been baptized with the Holy Spirit into Christ. It is a spiritual baptism--Water baptism does not save!
Many years after Pentecost the apostle Paul wrote, "There is one body and one Spirit...one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Eph. 4:4-5). Yet, one of the most divisive issues among Christian brothers has been that of water baptism. One of the most divisive issues among Christian brothers has been that of water baptism. Not only regarding who qualifies for the rite (infants, believers only, or anyone), but also the mode (immersion, pouring, or sprinkling).
The New Testament does not specifically say if any of the original apostles were baptized with water. The earthly ministry of Jesus was to prepare the Jews/Gentiles for the transition from Judaism to the New Covenant.
When John came baptizing the repentant Jews with water they knew exactly what it signified---a ceremonial cleansing of the sinner. John's baptism was a baptism of repentance.
The Bible does say that the Apostles conducted baptism(s) in the NT, the only apostles recorded being baptized after Pentecost was Paul (Acts 9:18) "18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized," But was Paul baptized in water? 1Corinthians 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." Ephesians 4:5. "There can be only one baptism and it is by God the Holy Spirit." Paul was called for the Gentiles... 1 Corinthians 1:17-2:8 "17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel-not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."
Even when Jesus called the apostles out in the gospels, it does not say He personally baptised them or told them to be baptised...but He did tell them to do so (Mark 16:16).
Luke 5:1-39 THE CALLING OF SIMON PETER, ANDREW, JAMES AND JOHN (also Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20) Then in John 1:40 " Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus." It might be possible (however, not stated specifically) that two Apostles were baptized by John the Baptist (prior to following Jesus).
In the Luke account it says that TWO of John's disciples followed Jesus and that ONE of them was Andrew, so it would be a little presumptuous to assume ALL the apostles were baptized by John when we only know for sure that only one MAYBE two was even a disciple of John.
Even though one is truly converted by the Holy Spirit one does not overnight change one's thought regarding rituals that have been ingrained from infancy (the Jews and even the Apostles). The Jews were slow to comprehend the spiritual nature of the Kingdom of God. (For example, some of the Jewish Christians remained in the sect of the Pharisees as late as the council in Jerusalem twenty years after Pentecost) (Acts 15:5). Of course Jesus knew this, and so did the apostle Paul. After the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost many of the Jews still practiced some customs of Judaism, but they agreed not to require, for example, circumcision of the Gentile converts (Acts 15:19-29) (the transition the New Covenant took time).
John the Baptizer baptized Jews or Jewish proselytes, not Gentiles. He said why he came baptizing with water---"That he [Jesus] should be manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water" (Jn. 1:31).
Because baptism was a Jewish custom Peter was uncertain about baptizing the newly converted Gentiles. He said, "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" --note that they had already received the Holy Spirit before water baptism --not afterwards as Pentecostals believe) (Acts 10:47). It is recorded of Peter that he "commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48). Peter had much of the Old Dispensation mentality several years after Pentecost. When he went to Antioch, Paul rebuked him for his hypocrisy.
Later, Peter came very close to seeing the truth concerning water baptism that was revealed to the apostle Paul. When the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-45; 11:15), Peter remembered what Jesus had said---"John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 11:16).
Jesus did not personally baptize with water (Jn. 4:2). However, during the transition His disciples baptized with water. John the Baptizer in the Gospel of John said, "I baptize with water...I come baptizing with water...but He [God the Father] that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he [Jesus] which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost" (Jn. 1:26, 31, 33).
This makes it very clear that the Father sent John to baptize with water, but not Jesus.
Not only was water baptism allowed for Christ's Jewish followers, but circumcision also. However, circumcision was unnecessary; in fact, Paul later said that it was "nothing." The council at Jerusalem several years after Pentecost agreed to "not trouble" the new Gentile converts with circumcision. Neither was the custom of water baptism required of them, but only to abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood" (Acts 15:20).
When the apostle Paul was saved in Judas 'house in the city of Damascus Ananias said to him, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16)--it does not say by water. Paul clearly wrote, "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" (1 Cor. 12:13).
The Apostle Paul only baptized a few. "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel -- not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power" (1 Corinthians 1:13-17).
In the end, we have to ask ourselves why John the Baptizer was sent to baptize with water; Jesus was not sent to baptize with water; and Paul was not sent to baptize with water?
If the context is considered in the Gospel of John when Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about being born again, one can see that He is speaking of an unborn infant in the water of the mother's womb and not water baptism when Nicodemus asked, "How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water [of the mother's womb] and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh [of the mother's womb] is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (Jn. 3:4-6).
According to Scripture was the woman at the well water-baptized after she was saved? No.
According to Scripture was the thief on the cross water-baptized after he was saved? No.
Did Jesus water-baptize or tell anyone else to water-baptize any of the people whom He saved, as recorded in the Gospels? No.
In all of Scripture, how many times is it recorded that someone was baptized with WATER in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost? None.
Is there now two baptisms, water and Spirit? No. "There is...one baptism" (Eph. 4:5).
We are not saved by ritual or works but by "grace through faith." "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
What you have said, is what I have been teaching for years, yet I still encounter people that are stumbling over this. We just asked the question in bible study, "In accordance with GOD's Word, does it take a baptism to complete the work of salvation?" My oldest son explained it like this:
Salvation is complete all by itself! By faith, and nothing else is needed. The baptism is like a wedding ceremony to marriage! If two people go to the court house to get married, it is not incomplete if they never have a wedding ceremony! They are married because of the acceptance of one another and the marriage is complete. The ceremony is to outwardly demonstrate that both are in agreement of the marriage. When we accept JESUS . . . salvation is complete. The baptism is an outwardly demonstration that you and JESUS are in agreement to the new covenant.
It isn't a matter of immersion, pouring, or sprinkle to make salvation complete. All of those ways are simply a demonstration (outwardly) of saying, "JESUS I have accepted YOU into my life as Lord and Savior" At the point of baptism, we do not say I will accept . . . we say I have accepted! Why, because the salvation is already completed by our faith . . . not the water!
You surely have a way of making it plain. I am working to get there...(:>))) I generally get there after a lot of push ups...then, I can say--oh yeah...now I get the big picture...I am a little slow sometimes....(;>))))
I have been receiving several thumbs up comments from folks you've added to the SODs...they're going to the webpage.
Have a great weekend,
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