One of the Sevenfold Theological Statements: Baptism (Essay)

Preface: This was written for my Theology Essentials I class when I was a student of Bible & Ministry and submitted March, 13, 2000.

“One of the Sevenfold Theological Statements: Baptism”

“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Eph 4:3-6) This is the sevenfold theological statement of which one of them is to be discussed in the following, Baptism. The one, which I feel, has the biggest debate, even though all different views are still widely accepted in society, yet the correct (meaning Biblically correct) view is so clear to the true Berean. Every one who is a believer was baptized the moment that they accepted Christ as their Savior; the were Baptized by the Spirit “For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body.” (1Cor 12:13) By hearing the word Baptism, most automatically assume that I am speaking of water, which I will address later. Where in fact the Bible proves that ‘water’ baptism is neither necessary nor encouraged for our “Dispensation of Grace.” There are many arguments as to whether or not baptism is something for today’s believer. Then, for those who believe that it should still be in effect today, there are discussions as to whether it is to ‘dip’, ‘pour’, or ‘immerse’. I will not even scratch the surface on that part of the topic, as I do not believe that the Bible supports baptism for this Dispensation, let alone how to do it.

First, one must understand the time frame in relation to the necessity of baptism. By that it must be made clear that we are now under the “Dispensation of Grace” and that “For by grace you are saved through faith; …Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph 2:8-9) A distinction must be made as to what part of the Bible applies to us today. That is where the Mystery Program and the Dispensation of Grace explain everything. For, when the Prophetic Program was in place many things were different that do not apply to us today. For example, the eating of “whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is clovenfooted, and cheweth the cud,.. Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them…he is unclean to you…” (Lev 11:3-4) Where in 1Timothy 4:3 it refers to someone who “shall depart from the faith…and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” This, you would say, is showing contradiction in the Bible, when in fact is proving the point that there are different ‘rules’ now in the Mystery Program under our Dispensation of Grace than then (in Leviticus) in the Prophetic Program. Thus, giving that shadow of a doubt, to the “pro-Baptistmists”, to prove how baptism, in their definition of the word, is not a necessary part for salvation or eternal life today.

Some say that baptism is required to have salvation or to go to Heaven, that it is only applicable towards adults, or even just as simply an outward expression of your belief in God. So many arguments in the world on this topic and so little biblical proof. I am not going to dispute all the arguments, but rather show what the Bible says in reference to the Prophetic and Mystery Programs about baptism. Now, when the word “Baptism” is used, most think of water. Where in actuality the word itself has nothing to do with water directly, even though water can be used to fulfill the definition of the word. “A baptism is anything which produces a complete and permanent change in the object being baptized.” Words used in the Bible in conjunction with baptism are water (Mat 3:11), death (Rom 6:4), fire (Luke 3:16), Moses (1Cor 10:2), and Spirit (1Cor 12:13). Water is not the only one, nor the one pertaining to this dispensation. Now, when speaking of the Prophetic Program it is stated in Acts 2:38, “…Repent, and be baptized every one of you for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Notice the order, baptize and then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Under the current program of the Mystery, the order is reversed, in Acts 10:47-48 “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord…” This verse is when the whole baptism story changed, we no longer had to be baptized to receive the gifts, nor does it have to be a baptism of any other sort other than the Holy Ghost (Spirit). Now, for those who say that they do it as an outward expression of Faith or because Jesus did, I believe, are making a mockery of everything that Jesus did for us. “The Lord Jesus Christ, while on Earth, took his place with sinners at His baptism with water, and took the place of sinners at His baptism into our death.” So, by Jesus doing this he was absorbing the need for all of those to follow to be baptized in any way, other than the initial baptism of the Spirit when you “call on the name of the Lord…” (Acts 2:21), so “that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord…” (Acts 3:19). I believe, that being baptized, or baptizing anyone now, after Jesus did it for us, is like saying that Him doing this was ‘not enough’ for us.

Many people, with many different religions, cover this topic in many books, but we are all basing our viewpoints from ONE Bible, so only one way is the right way. It says in Job 6:25 “How forcible are your right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? Do you imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?” So I do not debate your views, yet I offer this as food for thought; “If water baptism was meant to be a witness to the world, why hold the service in a church building, where only a few can witness it-mostly believers? If it was meant to be a testimony, why perform it just once; why not again and again, publicly, where as many people as possible can witness it? Furthermore, how can men tell that one has been baptized just by looking at him? One’s merely having been baptized can be no “witness to the world,” for those of the world will not know that they have been baptized unless we tell them so. But my life and lips can bear daily testimony to my faith in Christ.” One final thought to understand how it is possible that baptism is not intended for our dispensation is in Galatians 4:20, “I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.”

1 - S. Craig MacDonald, Understanding Your Bible p.127 Emphasis mine.

2 - C.R. Stam, Baptism and the Bible p.34 Emphasis his.
3 - C.R. Stam, Baptism and the Bible p.66 Emphasis his.

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2000 Copyright Shannon Yáñez