Water baptism is not essential to salvation. It is an obedient act by Christians signifying acceptance of Christ as our God and Savior. It signifies our willingness to sacrifice our own will to the love of God and his son. We signify death to our own egos.
Water baptism never represents regeneration; it represents death. John’s baptism of Jesus by water signified his coming emersion in sin and death on the cross as the blood atonement of the Lamb of God for the sin of the world. We follow this example to signify that we lay down (die to) our egos in submission to God the creator.
Baptism of a Christian by water signifies death to the old nature. Water baptism has nothing to do with being born again, receiving eternal life, or being baptized with the Holy Ghost.
John baptized the Jews with water as a sign of their death to the legal system, but he made it clear only a person baptized of the Holy Ghost by Christ attained salvation. John said, I baptize with water, but he that cometh after me baptizes with the Holy Ghost. That, which is born of the spirit, is of God and produces eternal life.
Luke 7:29-30 29All the people that heard John, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. 30But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him.
Many received the water baptism of John in preparation for the new king and kingdom. Since the Jews had been awaiting “Messiah” to set up an earthly kingdom, they were eager to shed the strict laws of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The common people were in habitual bondage to the Jewish leaders. The common folk gladly received the baptism of John. The Jewish leaders had control of the laws and traditions; they refused to be baptized by John. The Pharisees and Sadducees refused to renounce their old Jewish customs in favor of maintaining their own selfish desire to protect their big egos.
Mark 1:4-5 4John did baptize in the wilderness, and preached baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. 5There went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.
Acts 13:23-25 23This man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Savior, Jesus: 24When John had first preached before his arrival the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25As John fulfilled his course, he said, whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.
John made it clear his baptism was preparing the way for Jesus. Jesus would provide the new way with a free gift of salvation from God. John was merely the ambassador for the Savior as death to the old ways of the law, and to present Christ as the new way to salvation. John’s mission was to prepare the hearts of men for the coming Messiah. Jesus would be the ultimate sacrifice for the sin of man, and the new way to salvation.
The Jews thought the Messiah was coming to set up an earthly kingdom, make the Jews heir to this kingdom, and rulers of the world. They did not realize he came to die for the sin of mankind, and set up a spiritual kingdom at this time.
Matthew 3:11, 13-17 11I baptize you with water unto repentance: he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.
13Jesus came from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee; why come thou to me? 15Jesus said unto him, suffer it to be so now: it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17Lo a voice from heaven, saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
John knew baptism of the Holy Ghost was the only way a man could be born again. John’s water baptism did not bring salvation. Why would Jesus want John to baptize him with water when the Holy Ghost baptism by Jesus was the source of eternal life? Jesus said it was necessary for Jesus to fulfill all righteousness.
Jesus had no sin and needed no baptism for remission of sins. His baptism by John signified his purpose on earth. Water baptism signified his soon coming death on the cross. We have no part in salvation; we receive it as a free gift. We receive the free gift of Christ by faith, not by our works of water baptism. When Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Ghost, we are born again of God and become a new creature in Christ.
This water baptism of Jesus signified his death and the spirit descending on him signified his resurrection. This picture of his impending death and resurrection was verified by the voice of God from heaven, John the Baptist, and the mass of witnesses in attendance at the baptism. God ordained the forthcoming death and resurrection from heaven when he said, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”.
When Jesus died on the cross, only the perfect son of man died, but not the Word of God incarnate in Jesus. As the Son of man died on the cross, he said, “my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” God, a spirit cannot die, so the Word of God left the Son of man (Son of God) to die alone for the sin of the world.
Jesus laid down his life, but took it up again as the Word of God returned to his body three days later as prophesied by Jesus. Why was the signification of the spirit in the form of a dove? It may have represented the resurrection and victory over death which brings peace to the born again believer. “Oh death, where is thy sting, Oh grave, where is thy victory”?
Water baptism of the Christian does not save. It is the grace of God and man’s faith in this grace that is the salvation of man. “The Word of God” from Jesus, quickens the individual and he is born again of the Holy Ghost. The believer accepts the free gift of eternal life and Jesus applies this free gift to his soul.
John 4:1-2 1When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, 2(though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples).
Jesus did not baptize anyone with water only with the Holy Ghost. Men baptize other men with water in symbolism. Since salvation is 100% from a righteous God, and Jesus baptized no one, it is obvious water baptism of man is not part of salvation.
Luke 3:12-15 12Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? 13He said unto them, exact no more than that which is appointed you. 14The soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, and what shall we do? He said unto them, do violence to no man, do not accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
These came to be baptized, but asked John the requirements of salvation. John did not tell them water baptism would bring salvation. John gave a different answer for each person. It is obvious; it takes a new heart, they must be born again. Man can only be changed by the salvation from Jesus, and not John’s baptism of water.
Matthew 3:7 When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?
They understood John’s baptism, but did not want to disassociate themselves from the traditional teachings of the Jews, so they rejected John’s baptism.
Mark 11:30-32 30The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? Answer me. 31They reasoned with them-selves, if we shall say, from heaven; Jesus will say, “Why did ye not believe John?” 32If we shall say, of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John that he was a prophet indeed.
The baptism of John was from heaven. He was filled with the Holy Ghost in his mother’s womb. His baptism was of God, or Jesus would not have let John baptize him. Why did his baptism fail to save anyone” It is obvious, water baptism of men has no part in salvation.
The 12 disciples at Ephesus, baptized by John, did not receive salvation until they received the preaching of Paul and were baptized by the Holy Ghost. Once they heard the gospel, they accepted it and were saved.
John’s water baptism was of heaven, yet only those, who had the gospel preached to them and accepted the Word of God by faith, were born again. It is God’s spirit that quickens the soul and man is born of a new spirit from God, not water.
When man is born again by the preaching of the gospel, the Holy Ghost comes to live with him, and seals him with the gift of eternal life. It is not man or water baptism; it is the ingested Word of God, the Holy Ghost, that does the quickening and saving.
Luke 12:50 I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened (pained, sorrowful) till it be accomplished!
This baptism of sin and death on the cross is that which was signified by John’s baptism of Jesus to fulfill all righteousness. Our water baptism is similar; we signify that we have already died to ourselves when we submit our will to the Lordship of Christ. Since water baptism represents death of the ego, it does not produce salvation.
Jesus is the only person that completed salvation with his baptism of death on the cross combined with his subsequent resurrection from the dead. Our salvation rests in the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus in turn resurrects or quickens our souls to eternal life by the application of the Holy Ghost to indwell us.
It is important for a Christian to identify with the church and Christ through the ritual of water baptism. It is a statement of action already taken and symbolizes that action of death (submission) of our egos to Christ (not my will, but thy will be done).
Matthew 20:18-19 18Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, 19And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, to scourge, to crucify him (Jesus to be baptized with death and the sin of the world): and the third day he shall rise again. [Our new birth comes from the resurrection, not water baptism.
Matthew 20:22-23 22Jesus answered and said, ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, we are able. 23He said unto them, ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Baptism, in this passage, refers to the death and humiliation Jesus will encounter. This is not water baptism. Jesus had just stated the things would happen to him in verses 18-19 above. James was indeed martyred for his faith and John lived the martyr’s life. Jesus stated both would share his baptism of death and humiliation.
Hebrews 6:1-2 1Leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2of the doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
This is an exhortation for Christians to mature from the baby stage. We have been saved by grace through faith (baptism of the Holy Ghost), free from penalty of the law, and baptized of water as our sign to the church and world. We advance beyond these things to study and exercise our faith in God and his Son, so we can bring forth fruit as a mature branch of the vine.
Luke 16:14-20 14Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 15He said unto them, Go you into the entire world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17These signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them; he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. 20They went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.
It has already been proven water baptism has no part in salvation, but signifies death of the old nature. Only baptism of the Holy Ghost brings salvation and the new birth to the Christian. John the Baptist stated Jesus would baptize with Holy Ghost when he saves a person. In verse 16, it is the believing and subsequent Holy Ghost baptism by Christ that saves. The last phrase of verse 16 states a person is condemned because he does not believe and does not receive the Holy Ghost baptism.
Acts 18:8 Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with his entire house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
They were saved by belief and baptized. When man accepts Christ as his Lord and Savior through faith, he is baptized with the Holy Ghost of Jesus unto eternal life. There may have been two baptisms above, but the water baptism does not save.
Acts 8:36-38 36As they went on their way, they came unto certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37Philip said, if thou believe with all thy heart, thou may. He answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38He commanded the chariot to stand still: they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Phillip stressed, “If thou believe with all thy heart, thou may be baptized”. The eunuch said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God”. The eunuch was saved by faith and God’s grace and was already born again by the spirit of God. Phillip would only baptize him with water after he was assured the man had already received the spirit of God. One the eunuch had received the spirit of God; he was already sealed for eternity. The water baptism was only to attest to Phillip and mankind that he belonged to the church.
Galatians 3:27 As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
This is referring to the Holy Ghost Baptism as opposed to water baptism. The entire chapter of Galatians repeatedly states a person is saved by faith and God’s grace, not water baptism. It is most appropriate that this reference is to faith and the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 2:37-41 37When they heard this, they were pricked in their heart and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Peter 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. 39For 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. 40With many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41They that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
“They were pricked in their heart”. They were convinced this was truth, but did not know what to do next. If you read all these verses instead of focusing on verse 38, it becomes clearer. They repented of their self reliance and called upon the name of Jesus to forgive them, and they gladly received Christ in verse 41 and received the Holy Ghost as shown in verse38. Since they received the Holy Ghost (free gift of Christ), they were born again and sealed into God’s family. Baptism of water does not save, but signifies a person is saved and belongs to the church.
I assume the 3000 were later baptized with water signifying they were part of the local church and church body. As mentioned above they were all probably baptized later on with water into the local church bodies they joined. It would have taken quite some time and effort to baptize 3000 persons with water.
It is totally within reason, that everything was explained to them about faith, believing, the promises of Jesus, and baptism of the Holy Ghost. We can be sure those who truly believed and placed their life in the care of Jesus through faith received the quickening of the spirit from Jesus (baptism by the Holy Ghost).
To those, who were afar off in verse 39 above, it means the free gift (Holy Ghost/salvation) is not only for the Jews, also the Gentiles, and the entire world. The Gospel of Christ is to everyone who will accept by faith. No person is excluded.
Misguided individuals and denominations stress water baptism as essential to salvation. There are 150 verses in the New Testament teaching salvation is attained by faith alone. The Bible does not contradict itself.
The thief on the cross was saved by faith, no water baptism; Jesus never baptized anyone with water; Paul thanked God he only baptized 3 individuals by water; and many others received the Holy Ghost prior to water baptism.
Jesus paid the sin debt for all mankind, but not all of mankind will be saved. It is faith and God’s grace that saves. When we accept his free gift of salvation through faith, we are quickened with the spirit of Christ, born again into eternal life, and become children of God.
Acts 8:12-17 12When they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Then Simon (the sorcerer) believed also: When he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14When the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15When 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.) 17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
Simon, the sorcerer, made money through magic. He was awed by the power and miracles of Phillip, Peter and John. He professed to be a Christian and was baptized with water. Simon thought this power was a way to increase his magic and money. He was not baptized with the Holy Ghost or Peter later told Simon had no part in Christ’s work. Water baptism did not save Simon.
The Gentiles had believed, but the Jewish apostles had to authenticate this movement. When the Jewish apostles laid hands on the believing Samaritans, they received the Holy Ghost and were born again. We have the scriptures to authenticate the gospel and the power of the Holy Ghost, and laying on of hands is not required.
Acts 10:44-48 44While Peter spoke these words; the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45They 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. 46They 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? 48He commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. They then prayed for him to tarry certain days.
The preaching of the gospel pierced the hearts of many and they believed in Jesus, were quickened with the Holy Ghost, and born again into eternal life. Some of the Gentiles began to speak in foreign languages. Peter knew from this sign that the Holy Ghost had indwelt all Gentiles who accepted the gospel by faith. This is the first time the apostles had witnessed to the Gentiles and had not realized the gospel was to all men.
Since Peter knew for certain the Gentiles had also received the Holy Ghost, he knew they had received salvation. It was then okay for them to be baptized by water into the local churches and to signify to the world they had become Christians. It is obvious they were born again by the baptism of the Holy Ghost prior to water baptism.
Acts 18:24-26 24Acertain Jew named Apollos, who was born at Alexandria, an eloquent man mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26He began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
Apollos was learned in the scriptures of the OT and had received water baptism of John. Aquila and Priscilla taught him the way of God more perfectly through the gospel of Christ. He knew only of John’s teaching of repentance and water baptism, but had not heard of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. After Aquila and Priscilla expounded to him the gospel of Christ, they sent him to Corinth to preach there.
Verse 25 indicates he already had the Holy Ghost by faith (fervent in spirit). Since he was already saved, and it is known that John’s water baptism does not save, they did nothing (no indication they re-baptized him with water) other than teach him about the life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus and sent him on his way to preach to others.
Acts 9:17-18 17Ananias 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 came, hath sent me, that thou might receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18Immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Saul had met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Ananias was told by God to meet Saul (Paul) in Damascus. Paul readily accepted the Words of Jesus and obeyed his command to go to Damascus and receive further instructions from Ananias.
It is pertinent at this point to note 2 Corinthians 12:2-4. When Paul saw Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul was caught up to the third heaven. Paul was temporarily in Paradise and heard unspeakable words which were not lawful for man to utter. There is no doubt that Paul accepted Christ at that very moment and was told by Jesus the mission he had for Paul.
Since Saul was previously persecuting Christians, it was essential that all the apostles know that Saul (Paul) had been born again of the Holy Ghost and was now a Christian himself. All apostles recognized Ananias as a Godly and Holy man. Even though Paul had accepted Christ and was chosen by him to do a specific job, he did not baptize Paul with the Holy Ghost until Ananias laid hands on him.
This was done to authenticate through Ananias to all the apostles and disciples that Ananias could attest to the fact that Paul was now a Christian and one with them in spirit. Also, it is relevant that Paul was born again of the Holy Ghost prior to being baptized with water in verse 17-18 above.
Acts 22:14-16 14Ananias said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou should know his will, see that Just One, and should hear the voice of his mouth. 15For thou shall be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16And now why tarry thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Acts 9:17-18 has already shown that Paul received the Holy Ghost prior to water baptism. In verse 16 of this passage, Paul is merely retelling his earlier experience of Acts (9:17-18).
Paul’s conversion was the same as other conversions, acceptance of Christ for salvation. It was an unusual set of circumstances due to his being chosen the apostle to the Gentiles.
Acts 19:1-7 1It came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2he said unto them, have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? They said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there is any Holy Ghost. 3He said unto them, unto what then was ye baptized? And they said, unto John’s baptism.
4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, they should believe on him who should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues, and prophesied. 7All the men were about 12.
Ephesus is a port city where foreigners were plentiful. The 12 were eager to hear the gospel, but knew very little of it. Most scholars believe they were baptized a disciple of John. John always told his disciples Jesus would come after him and baptize with the Holy Ghost. These men knew nothing of the Holy Ghost.
They were water baptized under a religious act of death to legalism. After Paul explained the gospel, they readily accepted Christ by faith. Paul laid hands on them; they received the Holy Ghost, and life eternal. They were ordained to become part of the Great Commission, as they were given the ability to speak in other languages. They were baptized with the Holy Ghost in the name of Jesus.
They were already baptized by water under John, but it did not produce the new birth. It takes the baptism by Christ of the Holy Ghost for the new birth.
Again, a group received the baptism of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands from the Jewish apostles. In the early stages of establishing the church we see the reception of the Holy Ghost was accomplished by the laying on of hands when required to authenticate an event as being of God.
Since these 12 were probably chosen to set up churches in this area, reception of the Holy Ghost through the blessing of the apostles authenticated the work of the 12 after the apostles left. We reiterate that salvation begins at Jerusalem with Christ, and he used apostles as his help meet in the ministry.
Romans 6:3-7, 22-23 3Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4Therefore 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. 5If we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7He that is dead is freed from sin. 23But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Water baptism is always linked with death. Jesus said, “I have a baptism to be baptized with, and will be in anguish until it is accomplished”.
Salvation is linked with the gospel of Christ and faith. Those, hearing the gospel of Christ and accepting his salvation through faith, are quickened and resurrected from spiritual death by the Holy Ghost, not by water baptism.
The only water baptism where Jesus was active was by John the Baptist, and it was a signification of his death on the cross. The subsequent spirit lighting on Jesus like a dove signified his resurrection to a new life by the Holy Ghost.
I Corinthians 1:13-17 13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 14I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
Jesus baptized no person with water only the Holy Ghost. If water baptism of man was part of salvation, both Jesus and Paul would have baptized all converts with water. The preaching and believing of the gospel brings salvation through faith in Jesus. Paul made it clear he was sent to present salvation to man by the preaching of the gospel of Christ.
Colossians 2:12 We are buried with him in baptism, wherein also we are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. (Water baptism represents death. Faith and God’s grace provides spiritual resurrection.)
1 Corinthians 10:1-5 1Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them: and that rock was Christ. 5With many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Moses had all the burdens of the Israelites on his shoulders. The Israelites were baptized (dead) to escape Egyptian enslavement. This entire burden of their Egyptian bondage (death) was placed on Moses. Moses was a foreshadowing of Jesus. They wanted to take this affliction of death and place it on Moses. Moses willingly took their bondage of death on his shoulders (he was baptized with this burden and responsibility).
Moses was obedient to his own death to bring the Israelites out of the shackles of death. The Israelites passed through the sea on dry ground while Moses through God released the waters of the sea and it drowned the sin that had shackled Israel in bondage and death. We see the water baptism meant death to the sin that held sway over Israel.
The water baptism did not save the Israelites. He led them into the wilderness of their own future decision. We see that this water baptism did not get Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua (another type of Christ) led all the believers into the Promised Land that would enter it by faith. In between the baptism of death on the old shackles of sin and entering the Promised Land, many died in the wilderness of life without faith. Only those in the wilderness who had faith reached the Promised Land through Joshua.
Those who accepted the promise by faith received the Holy Ghost by faith in Jesus, the Rock which secured them for eternity (v4). Those who relied on the water baptism and not regeneration by faith were overthrown in the wilderness of life (v5).
Verse 3 & 4 states God has provided through Jesus to all men spiritual meat and spiritual drink while in the wilderness of life. Jesus gave his body on the cross and he sent the Holy Ghost to testify of him. All men have the chance to enter the Promised Land (eternal life), if they accept by faith the promises of God in Jesus. Those that refuse will die in the wilderness of sin. Jesus has already paid the penalty for those sins, but a man can still refuse to accept the Promise Land by faith in Christ.
Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
I Corinthians 12:12-13 12As the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13By 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 3:4-7 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
This same Holy Ghost from Christ indwells all who are saved to make us one body and one spirit in Christ. We are quickened (baptized) of this spirit. This passage is not talking about water baptism. There is only one baptism that is effective, and it is a spiritual baptism of the Holy Ghost accessed by our faith. Water baptism does not do this as many are baptized with water and are still lost and unrighteous.
There must be some preliminary background before pursuing explanation of the next posted scripture. Adam was perfect, had no sin, and was created with free will. Adam distrusted God’s promise when he believed he would fare better being his own god to know both good and evil. Adam fell from grace when he misplaced his faith in God and placed it upon his own abilities.
God is righteousness and had breathed this breath of righteousness into Adam. Adam’s spiritual soul died, and he fell from righteousness into unrighteousness. Until this time, there was no unrighteousness, but Adam now brought mistrust and unrighteousness into the world of mankind. Man is in the spiral of sin (distrust of God) that leads to eternal damnation unless he gets help. God has provided a way for each man to escape this path of destruction. Jesus was “baptized with death” on the cross and bore the sin of the world in his body. The penalty for sin of man in the world has been paid in full by Jesus.
Jesus was quickened (resurrected) by God while he was dead from the sins of the world. Psalms 16:10 Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thy Holy One to see corruption. The Word of God raised the Son of man from the death into a new immortal and perfect body fit for eternity with his Father.
We, too, are spiritually dead and must be quickened back to life. Jesus has the power of resurrection to baptize with the breath of Christ (Holy Ghost) those who will accept the promise of Jesus by faith.
This action must be reversed. Adam lost his spiritual soul by losing his faith in God. The Christian gains a spiritual soul by establishing his faith in the promise of the Son of God. Adam’s free will choice condemned man to an eternity of terror in unrighteousness in outer darkness from God. Each man now has his own free will to make the same choice to accept Christ as God and Savior or rejecting him as God and Savior by faith.
Man must realize he needs something greater than himself and this must be God. Man’s reliance on himself leads to his own destruction.
I Peter 3:18-22 18Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
21The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Verse 18 sets the stage for verse 21. Jesus was baptized with death to take away the penalty for the Adamic sin (Luke 12:50). The words in parentheses in verse 21 shows, it is not water baptism, but it is the baptism of the Holy Ghost. It says “not the putting away of the flesh (water baptism/death)”, but “the answer of a good conscience toward God (baptism of the Holy Ghost) that saves us.
Also, removing the words in the parenthesis, it says, “baptism doth save us by the resurrection of Jesus. No matter if we take the words in the parenthesis or outside of it in verse 21, both say it is the spirit of a good conscience or resurrection by Jesus that saves us. The filth of the flesh (death is represented by water baptism) definitely does not save us.
The eight souls saved at the flood (v20) were in the Ark of Safety, while all outside the Ark of Safety drowned. The eight souls saved by the water were due to the water providing death to the sins that would have infected those in the ark. Those in the Ark were separated from the death of the waters. Water baptism always means death of sins or burying of sins, it does not mean resurrection or eternal life. Baptism of the Holy Ghost is the only thing that produces eternal life in a man.
The whole process of salvation was by Jesus. Our sin died with him on the cross, and when we accept him as savior, his spirit quickens us to a new eternal life. The physical baptism by water is only a sign of the events that took place on the cross and not the resurrection.
There is a baptism which frees us from the Adamic sin; it took place at Calvary 2000 years ago. Christ’s death was a baptism. He said, “I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished!” His Holy Ghost baptism regenerates from death.
(1 Peter 3:18-22) Water baptism cannot bring salvation because:
01. Water would be the savior, instead of Jesus.
02. Jesus would have died in vain.
03. Faith plus water baptism means salvation is not of God, but man’s actions.
04. Many baptized by water will not make it into the kingdom.
05. The 12 at Ephesus had been baptized and were not saved.
06. John baptized many who were not saved.
07. When Jesus said, “it is finished”, he had not died for all sins.
08. Jesus did not baptize anyone with water.
09. Paul thanked God; he had baptized only three people with water.
10. The thief on the cross was not baptized with water.
11. Everyone is saved by faith and God’s grace, even OT believers.
12. Saved at Caesarea believed, baptized with the Holy Ghost, then baptized with water.
13. In the NT, baptism is always connected with death and not spiritual birth.
14. There are 150 passages in the NT teaching salvation by faith alone
Father Time
