Baptize () bap-tee-zo: To wash, pour, to make wet, immerse.
Mark 7:4…washed the pots
Acts 22:16…Arise and be baptized. They were in a city, not a river.
Matthew 3:11…Baptized with the Holy Spirit
Why Baptize? God commanded it.
Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Who is to be baptized? ...Everyone
Matthew 28:18-20…All nations
Mark 10:15
I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God
Received (dexhtai, dek-a-tai, root dek-o-mai,) middle= I receive myself
Child (paidia, pedia = specifically “infant”) An infant, according to Jesus, is able to receive unto himself the kingdom of God
Acts 2:41
Those who received his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Why didn’t Jesus baptize the child? It was because Baptism is uniting a person with Christ’s death and resurrection, and Jesus had not done either yet.
Romans 6:1-5
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.
Refutation of the reformed theology of Baptism:
Hebrews 6:1-2 (NIV)
1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Instruction: A Greek Genitive/singular meaning” instruction of” or “doctrine of.” It is not “teaching” but closely related.
Baptims: It is a Greek plural/Genitive meaning to wash, pour, to make wet, immerse. The plural means many or more than one. There was John’s baptism and the Baptism into the trinity. There were some incomplete baptisms (Acts 8:16) and therefore reasonable to think that the author had to deal with more than one baptism. This in no way validates more than one creditable baptism, it just leaves the door open, which Paul closes (Eph 4:5).
Elementary teachings: The Greek reveals the phrase as “Beginning of Christ Word or discourse (Logus not raima), on to full growth let us be borne not again a foundation…” Baptism is a foundational concept, has a doctrine and is separate from faith. If baptism is an “outward sign of an inward faith” as the reforms say, then why was it listed in such company? It can’t be a symbol of faith if it is listed as a doctrine, nor can it be a symbol of one of the other attributes listed.
Ephesians 4:3-6 (NIV)
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 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.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 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.
One: This is the number one ie. Only one baptism. Now some has said that it is one type of baptism and other try to make one to mean best (#1), but only one works because of the way it is used with the other aspects of the sentence. Note once again the company of the word. Paul puts baptism in an order with the Lord, faith, God and the Father. Why would he stick a “symbol” in the middle of this highest of characters that could be mentioned? In my opinion, if baptism is symbolic then Paul has a very strange pattern of speech. Paul has obviously shown us here the importance of baptism, which if it is a “salvation” issue, makes much more sense of being clumped together with faith and various titles of God!
Examples of what the reforms called “Spirit Baptism:”
The idea that there is a “spirit” baptism is in complete agreement with Lutheran Theology. At Baptisms we are united with Christ death and resurrection and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. To imply because different attributes are discussed at different times that there is more than one baptism goes against the totality of scripture as I have already proven. Eph. Cannot be ignored and must work with the rest of scripture. Based on Eph. We must adhere to one baptism, although there was John’s Baptism which is really no baptism at all. This principle has been clearly shown in scripture. There is only one Baptism and tat is the Baptism into the Trinity. If you have 1/3 a baptism, you receive 1/3 the gift.
Acts 8:15-18 (NIV)
15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money
15 When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money
This is not an example of “Spirit Baptism.” It clearly says that it is the reception of the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands (Note 18). So what is the issue here? Note the comparison of Acts 2 to Acts 8, remembering the order of scripture.
Acts 2:38-39 (NIV)
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."
38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."
So why in Acts 8 did they not receive the Holy Spirit? One of the attributes of Lutheran Theology is to place equal emphasis on the historical grammatical as well as various other forms. This is a case in point! In Acts 2 it says they were suppose to be baptized into “Jesus Christ.” You will note that in Acts 8 that they Baptized into Lord Jesus. In Nazareth
Acts 10:44-48 (NIV)
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
Once again this is a grammatical issue. This is the reverse of Acts 2 & 8. They were not baptized in the name of “Jesus Christ” as the NIV suggests but rather baptized into the Lord. There was no need to baptized into Jesus Christ because the Spirit had already come on them. Water Baptism is not the only way Christ can bring His Spirit on us. Baptism is our assurance as all these passage in Acts prove.
Acts 19:1-7 (NIV)
1 While Apollos was atCorinth , Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus
1 While Apollos was at
This is an excellent verse to prove Lutheran Theology. They asked, did you receive the Holy spirit when you believed and they said no. Then the next question is the assumption of how they came to faith and received the Hoy Spirit. This also clarifies that there was more than one Baptism as discussed earlier (John’s and Jesus). The assumption that faith comes through baptism from Holy Spirit is clearly reflected here.
Symbolic: The premise that scripture is symbolic is the easy way to say we don’t have to adhere to scripture and therefore can make it say anything we want. There are things that are symbolic and things that are literal. Scripture is literal, grammatical, historical, metaphorical, prophetic and revelation. To say that it is one or the other must be taught. That is not a natural reasoning. Further more parables and metaphors have a truth not just a symbol.
1 Peter 3:18-21 (NIV)
18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19 through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Scripture is clearly stating that it is through baptism that we are saved. If Christ meant something else, he should have told us. Further more to assume that Baptism means the spirit would be to take the phrase out of context and it’s natural flow. He already spoke about the spirit and was in no need of changing things for confusion. God is not a God of confusion but of truth. If he meant Spirit it would have been natural to say Spirit. He had no reason to say anything else. This wasn’t a word play or challenge against the Pharisees, it was a simple straight forward statement.
1 Peter says exactly what it says and needs no application of metaphoric jostling!!!
Colossians 2:9-12 (NIV)
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.
How can anyone ignore or trivialize this passage. It aligns perfectly with Romans 6. Who unites us? The power of the Holy Spirit which we receive at our baptism. Is it the only method upon which God can bring faith? NO, but it is his preferred and commanded method.
Romans 6:1-14 (NIV)
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
How can anyone igonore, trivialize or even want to add metaphoric impactions to this text. It stands on it’s own and tells us exactly what Baptism is.
FAITH
Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
It is God who gives us this grace through faith. He plants it in our heart as prophesied through Jeremiah 31:31-34, not in us! Christ also supports this in 1 Cor. 12 below. Scripture says what it says no matter how much “our itching ears” wants to hear we do something.
1 Corinthians 12:3 (NIV)
3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
James 1:21 (NIV)
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Note that we accept the word “planted” in us. God places his word in us and we let it be. We accept it, stop fighting in disbelief. Let God’s faith to blossom. Now I’ve put a lot of weight on this passage that is not there to embellish this great gift and how beautiful it is to be Lutheran. We can speak about our faith and God’s work in us, without boasting or pride. The reforms can’t and never do. It is all about when “they” accepted jesus Christ. I thin m more importantly to live for the day Jesus accepted me!
John 15:16 (NIV)
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
AGE OF REASONING
Now turning the tables to the ridiculous and the cruelty of the reformed theology. The age of reasoning suggests that a child is in God’s grace until the age of reasoning. This silly notion leaves the believer in limbo for years and ignores scripture.
Romans 3:22-24 (NIV)
22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Genesis 8:21 (NIV)
21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.
21 The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.
Psalms 51:5 (NIV)
5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
John 3:6 (NIV)
6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
Ephesians 2:1-5 (NIV)
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.
1 John 1:8-10 (NIV)
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.
John 5:41 (NIV)
41 "I do not accept praise from men,
41 "I do not accept praise from men,
From a human perspective, what child by age 6 months is not already manipulating their parents, crying to get what they want. By five almost every child knows right from wrong. But the real sham is what about 9-12+? By age 9 a child can reason, but they don’t go to a rock concert, stadium event or church to make an altar call and they die at age 10. What hope do they have? Or even worse, statistics tell us that adults way into their 30’s are still concrete operational. Are they “really” able to “choose” Jesus? To accept something, or have faith is to believe which in Greek means to trust…have faith. Who can have faith in something they don’t know or understand? Our feeble attempts at believing is not true faith, and if it is not true faith, then we are not “born again.” If we are not born again then we are not saved. Therefore, according to the non-denominational theology/Baptist theology, most of them are not saved because of their own definition of salvation! This is a lie and abomination of scripture in which our society now resonates because everyone tries not to be Catholic. Our society does not want to be in the staunch old church body, so when someone perks their hearing with rebellion, the nation flocks. They create a religion around the pharisaic law. If you do, you will get. As one person put it, “It’s dog crap in Christmas wrapping paper.” It leaves us without certainty or hope and obligates us to the law and our owns works. Not works that bear fruit for others, but fruits for ourselves. Consider the reformed movement and how many times you hear or works for others and how often do you hear, “I ACCEPTED JESUS ON…” Who cares?
I find it ironic that a church can believe that I can lay my hands on you, call on the name of Christ and you will be healed, which is a display of power, but I can’t place water that is not of me and use words that are not of me and be united with Christ’s death and resurrection. Which is easier to say, “get up you are healed or today Christ has united you to himself?”
HISTORY & CATHOLICISM
It is never our intent to hang doctrine on history. Even in the Apostolic age the church had problems and heresies, so when we look at theology further out, it should be questioned even more. The point of referencing the past, is if history has no reference point of a certain doctrine it should call us into question. It’s not a fact or dogma, but a “Red Flag” or an “affirmation.” Infant Baptism’s have been going on since Christ. We have a bulletin with an infant baptism. Nowhere in the history of the world are there multiple baptisms in the Trinity until Ulrich Zwingli. Why fan into flames such nonsense? History does speak of it. Did God allow billions of people to be damned from 33A.D. until 1580 and beyond seeing how that doctrine did not do well until the enlightenment?
The Catholic church has had it’s time of corruption and its time of reliability. Every church body has it’s sinners that the media exploits, but to ignore history is to ignore how those closest to the day believed. Again, NOT as fact but as indicators to the truth. To have absolutely no record of the Baptist theology is not a hidden truth, it is a false doctrine much like the Da Vinci Code. We learn from history and respect history. We see it for what it is and by the power of the Spirit we try to discern the truth. Remember, the spirit is to be tested, the Bible is trusted.
The word, history and common sense all scream Gods wants us to basptize children. The problem is that no one is asking the right questions of those who say otherwise and they ar getting away with herecy.
Only Jesus! Only Scripture! Only Faith!
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