Identifying The New Testament Church, Part 12
Whose Baptism, Gods Or Yours
A. Last week we discussed the necessity of seeking and finding
Gods will when it comes to
finding and preserving doctrinal purity. Its the idea of
obeying Covenant Law. We saw the
scriptures that foretold how men would violate Gods Covenant
Law by rejecting and
departing from doctrinal purity and would begin to replace Gods
word with man-made religious
substitutes. We also learned why denominationalism with its
division in the body of Christ is
not desirable. Under the banner of denominationalism men teach
and practice a
multitude of different doctrines, In the name of Christianity.
They set before themselves and
the world a pattern of division and disunity between themselves.
In every case it hinders unity
and fellowship that feeds bickering, partisanship and a divided
Christendom.
One of the most obvious and blatant departures from New testament
Covenant Law is in the area of baptism. Mention baptism, in the
religious world today and people embrace several different concepts.
To some Baptism is being Sprinkling with water; For others Baptism
is being Immersed in water; For some its being baptized
with the Holy Spirit; To some it is being baptized into a Church
or Denomination; And others believe you dont have to be
baptized at all. And what is so puzzling and inconsistent is that
most accept what ever definition you prefer. In the midst of all
this confusion and spiritual anarchy, Gods will is ignored
all together.
One thing for sure, Paul was right when he said, 1 Cor 14:33,
God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all
the churches of the saints. God does not leave us in doubt
when it comes to understanding how and when and where we are to
worship Him. God commands us to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth
and has given us specific instructions how to do that. The original
New Testament Christians practiced immersion in water for the
forgiveness of sins so that they could receive the Holy Spirit.
Today, we do it by pouring water, sprinkling water on people and
call it baptizing in water.
(A) The original language allows neither of these. It was an immersing,
dipping under water and that practice prevailed for over a thousand
years after Christianity came into being. It did not change until
1300BC. To understand the meaning, intent, purpose of
this command of Jesus and the Apostles, lets do what weve
done before. Look at
the Biblical practice by looking at the Testimony of Church Leaders
and founders of
the denominations, The Original Language, Historical Abuses, Translation
Errors.
TESTIMONY OF CHURCH LEADERS AND FOUNDERS(a) Testimony of catholic
Authorities.
Cardinal James Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore and Chancellor
of the
Catholic University of America, Makes the following statement:
"For
several centuries after the establishment of Christianity, baptism
was
conferred by IMMERSION; but since the twelfth century the practice
of
baptizing by infusion (sprinkling) has prevailed in the Catholic
church, as this
manner is attended with less inconvenience than baptism by immersion."
The New American Catholic Edition Bible (New Confraternity Version)
in a
footnote under Romans 6:3, states: "St. Paul alludes to the
manner in which
baptism was ordinarily conferred in the primitive church, by immersion.
The
descent into the water is suggestive of the descent of the body
into the grave."
Both Cardinal Gibbons and the Catholic Bible reveal the fact that
the Catholic church departed from the original command and practice
of Jesus and His apostles. The Catholic church is the group who
first departed from THE FAITH. From the day of Pentecost in, Acts
2:1 ?2:38, until A.D. 1311, all who became a Christian were baptized
by IMMERSION in water. To baptize someone by sprinkling with water
instead of IMMERSING in water is a man?made tradition begun by
the Catholic church in the 12th century.
Testimony of Protestant Denominational Founders.
(1) Martin Luther, founder of the Lutheran church: "Baptism
is BAPTISMOS in Greek and MERSIO in Latin, and means to plunge
something completely into the water, so that the water covers
it. It would be proper, according to the meaning of the word that
whoever is to be baptized, should be put in and sunk completely
into the water and then drawn out again." "The term
baptism is a Greek word ...when we immerse anything into water,
that it may be entirely covered with water. That custom has been
abolished among the generality, (for neither do they entirely
dip, but only sprinkle with a little water). Nevertheless they
ought to be wholly IMMERSED, for the etymology of the word requires
it. And truly, if you consider what baptism signifies, you shall
see the same thing required."
(2) John Wesley, founder of the Methodist church: "We are
buried with Him???Alluding to the ancient manner of baptizing
by IMMERSION."
(3) Methodist scholars John McClintock and James Strong: "Sprinkling
as a form of baptism took the place of IMMERSION after a few centuries
in the early church. Not from any established rule, but by common
consent."
(4) John Calvin, founder of the Presbyterian church: "It
is evident that the term baptize means to IMMERSE, and that this
was the form used by the primitive church." "Wherefore
the church (Catholic church) did grant liberty to herself since
the beginning to change the rite somewhat."
(2) Thus far weve seen the admission of the Catholic Church
that they took the liberty of changing the mode of baptism from,
Immersion in water, to sprinkling with a little water. They did
what Jesus condemned in Matt. 15:6-9, Made void the commands
of God by substituting their own man-made traditions for the Word
of God. They did exactly what Paul said they would do when
he warned about apostacy that would take place in the future,
Acts 20:28-29; 1 Tim. 4:1-3; 2 Tim. 4:1-4.
(1) We also saw that the founders and leaders of todays
major denominations, all with one voice, state that God ordained
baptism is by immersion only. Let me, once more, ask that important
question. Does the church to which you belong follow Gods
word when they practice baptism. Is it Gods baptism or mans
baptism?
(2) Acts 20:32.
Spur - 07/14/2002 am
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