Part Six Of "Baptism." The Truth Concerning The 12 "Baptisms," In The

[ Lesson - 26 ]. Many Believe That Babies Must Be "Baptized" In Order To Be Placed Under A Christian Covenant . . .

1. { V. 15 } Scripture: "And when she was "Baptized," and her household, she besought us, saying, if you have judged me to be faithful to the LORD, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

2. { V. 33 }: And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was "Baptized," he and all his, straight way, { Acts 16:15, 33 }."

3. The above two verses paraphrased in commentary form . . . { 15 } Scripture: "And when she was "Baptized," and her household, 'she besought [ earnestly entreated ] us,' saying, if you have judged me to be 'faithful to the LORD i.e., if in your opinion I am one really convinced that JESUS is the MESSIAH and the author of salvation, and that I will be faithful to the LORD,' come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us." . . . { V. 33 }: And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed 'their stripes [ i.e., their bloody wounds' ]; and he 'was "Baptized," with water immediately' he and 'all the members of his household,' straight way, { Acts 16:15, 33 }."

9. { V. 9 } Scripture: "Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the 'uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10. The above { V. 9 } paraphrased in commentary form. . . "The question . . . Is this 'blessing - this happiness' then meant only for the circumcised Hebrew ', or also for the 'uncircumcised Gentiles'? We say that faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness."

11. { V. 10 }: How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

12. The above { V. 10 } paraphrased in commentary form . . . "How then was it credited to Abraham? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised."

13. { V. 11 }: And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also, . . .

14. The above { V. 11 } paraphrased in commentary form . . . And "Abraham' received the sign of circumcision, as a token, or an evidence, or as a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that truly believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness 'i.e., right standing with GOD' might be imputed unto them and credited to their account also," . . .

15. { V. 12 }: And [ as well as to make him ] the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised, { Romans 4:9-12 }."

17. It is true that, both Abraham, before the law was given, and David, who was under the law, received righteousness. But, so the Hebrew would argue, both of them were also circumcised. Since circumcision is the sign of the covenant between GOD and His chosen people Israel { Genesis 17:9-14 }, isn't it possible that this was the ground of their justification? "Did this blessedness then come upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also . . . ?" { V. 9 above }.

[ 1 ]: { Genesis 15:6 } records the event of Abraham receiving righteousness from GOD.

[ 2 ]: Sometime after that, Abraham had a son by Hagar when he was 86 years old { Genesis 16:16 }.

[ 4 ]: Ishmael was 13 years old when both he and Abraham were circumcised { Genesis 17:24-26 }.

[ 5 ]: Abraham had righteousness imputed to him at least 14 years before he was circumcised, he also became the first Hebrew, and forefather of all the rest of the Hebrew nation! See { Genesis 14:13, - & - 17:1-11 }.

19. Paul concludes that circumcision had nothing whatever to do with the imputation of righteousness to Abraham. This does not mean that circumcision was unimportant. Abraham received "the SIGN of circumcision, as a seal of the righteousness of the faith." See { 1- Corinthians 1:22; - & - John 4:48 } Circumcision did not bring righteousness, but was one of the visible signs to Abraham's descendants of the righteousness that was imputed to them by faith. Also, circumcision was GOD's seal of righteousness to the Hebrews as a nation.

[ Lesson - 27. ] The Authoritative Creed Statements From Various Denominations:

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[ Lesson - 28. ] What Do The Scriptures Say Concerning Seals? . . .

2. { V. 24 } Scripture: "The Grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you all. Amen.

3. { V. 25 }: Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to "my Gospel," and the preaching of JESUS CHRIST, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.

4. { V. 26 }: But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting GOD, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith, { Romans 16:24-26 }."

6. Under the Gospel of "the Kingdom [ that is, of the circumcision, concerning the Hebrews" ] - { Galatians 2:7 }, much of the time both "Baptism and circumcision" were administered at the same time by CHRIST's disciples. Both "water Baptism and circumcision" was still being administered some 30 or so years after Pentecost, and where does it say that "water Baptism" had taken the place of circumcision? Had the practice of these Hebrew ordinances, under the Kingdom order, ceased to be at that late date?

7. { V. 19 }: Scripture: "And [ Paul ] when he has saluted 'them [ these Hebrews' ], he declared particularly what things GOD had 'wrought [ accomplished' ] among the Gentiles by his ministry.

8. { V. 20 }: And when they heard it, they glorified the LORD, and said to him, You see brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all 'zealous [ enthusiastic upholders' ] of the law, { Acts 21:19-20 }." [ This took place in A.D. 60, approximately 30 years after Pentecost ].

9. Commentary . . . The old division reappears . . . many of the Hebrews taught at that time, that folks must still be circumcised in order to be saved. See { Acts 15:1 }: where the problems were raised by the presence of the Gentiles in the Assemblies had now come to a head. Peter had learned that no man should be called unclean . . . not even saved Proselytes that beforehand had been Gentiles, see { Ch. 10:34-48 }. And, the Jerusalem Assembly had accepted the first Gentile converts on an equal basis with Hebrew converts and without the necessity of being circumcised. However, the ultra-Judaistic party went on the offensive and insisted that Gentile converts be circumcised into the Hebrew order as Proselytes.

10. A parallel question was being raised: Should there be unrestricted social contact between Hebrew, and other ethnic groups that had become Christians? The Judaistic party separated themselves from those who did not follow the dietary laws and would not partake of the common meals. { Chapter 15 } is concerned with these two questions: circumcision and foods [ socializing ]. Had the division over these questions prevailed, the unity of the Body of CHRIST would have been shattered from the start.

11. { V. 21 } Scripture: ". . . they are informed of you, that you teach all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

12. { V. 22 }: What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that you are come.

13. The above { Vs. 21-22 } Paraphrased in commentary form . . . { 21 }: "They said to Paul". . . they are informed of you, 'that you continually' teach all the Jews 'which are living' among the Gentiles 'to turn back from and' forsake Moses, 'saying and advising them' that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after 'the customs laid upon them by the Mosaic law'. { 22 }: "What do you think brother Paul, would be the best way to accomplish these things? There is no doubt that a large multitude will come together, for the people will surely hear that you have arrived."

14. { V. 23 }: Do therefore this that 'we say to you [ to do' ]: We have 'four men [ here with us' ] which have [ taken ] a vow on 'them [ selves' ];

15. { V. 24 }: Them take and purify yourself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning you, are nothing; but that you yourself also walk orderly, and keep the law.

16. Let us paraphrase { V. 24 } in commentary form . . . "Take these men and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses for the temple offering, so that they may have their heads shaved. By doing this, everybody will know that there is no truth in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself walk in observance of the Mosaic law."

17. Commentary . . . Be at charge with them { V. 24 }. Paul was being asked to pay the expenses involved in the offerings required at the completion of the Nazarite vow these four men had taken, see { Numbers 6:13-21 }. He was being urged to take actions that would indicate that he was, after all, a "middle - of - the - road" Hebrew - Christian.

18. { V. 25 }: As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save openly that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

19. The above { V. 25 } Paraphrased in commentary form . . . "But with regards to those who beforehand had been Gentiles and now have become Children of GOD . . . and have now been reborn again by adhering to, trusting in and have relied on CHRIST . . . we have sent them a letter with our decision that they should keep themselves free from anything that has been sacrificed to idols and from tasting blood and the meat of animals which have been strangled and from all impurity and also from sexual immorality."

20. { V. 26 }: Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until an offering should be offered for every one of them, { Acts 21:21-26 }."

22. { V. 16 } Scripture: "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel!

23. { V. 17 }: For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a Dispensation of the Gospel is committed to me.

24. The above { Vs. 16-17 } Paraphrased in commentary form . . . { 16 }: "For though 'I merely' preach the gospel, 'I have nothing - i.e., no reason' 'to glory or boast' of: for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is unto me, if I preach not 'the Gospel of the Mystery of the Grace of GOD'! . . . { 17 }: For if I do this thing 'willingly of my own free will', I have 'a reward in Heaven': 'but if against my will - i.e., or if I teach reluctantly and under compulsion' I am still entrusted with a sacred trusteeship and Commission, therefore, I must teach it because, 'a Dispensation of the Mystery' Gospel 'is still' committed to me."

25. Commentary . . . Willingly or unwillingly, Paul could not escape his responsibility to preach the Gospel, because a 'Dispensation [ time period,' stewardship and responsibility ] had been committed to him and he was under the orders to preach even though he was never paid to do so. See { Luke 17:10 }.

26. { V. 18 }: What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the Gospel, I may make the Gospel of CHRIST without charge, that I abuse not my power in the Gospel.

27. { V. 19 }: "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

28. { V. 20 }: And unto the Jews I become as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

29. The above { Vs. 18-20 } Paraphrased in commentary form . . . { V. 18 }: What is 'my actual reward then?' 'Verily [ just this' ] that, when I preach 'the Gospel the good news of the Mystery' that:, I may 'make - i.e., preach' the 'Gospel of the Mystery of the Grace of CHRIST' without charge - i.e., I will offer this great news absolutely free of expense to anybody, that I abuse not my power or take advantage of my rights and privileges as the true ambassador and minister of CHRIST in the Gospel. See { Romans 1:16-17; - & - 2- Corinthians 5:17-20 }. { V. 19 }: "For though I be free 'from all men in every way from their control', yet have I made myself a bond servant unto 'all humanity', that I might gain the 'more souls for CHRIST.' . . . { V. 20 }: And unto the Jews I become as a Jew, that I might 'gain and win' the Jews; to them that are under the law, I became 'as one under the law, though not myself being under the law', that I might gain them that are under the law.

30. Commentary . . . As under the law. i.e; I became as one under the law. After these words many manuscripts add parenthetically: "not being myself under the law." Though Paul had broken with the law of Moses, he adds [ V. 21 } that he was not lawless, but under the law or rather the dictates of the risen CHRIST.

31. { V. 21 }: To them that are without law, 'as without law, [ being not without law to GOD, but under the law to CHRIST,' ] that I might gain them that are without law.

32. { V. 21 } above paraphrased in commentary form . . . "To those without law I became as one without law, [ not that I am without the law of GOD and lawless toward Him, but that I am especially keeping within and committed to the law of CHRIST, ] that I might win those who 'are without [ outside' ] law."

33. { V. 22 }: To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

34. { V. 23 } And this I do for the Gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you, { 1- Corinthians 9:16-23 }."

35. The above { Vs. 22-23 } Paraphrased in commentary form . . . { 22 }: "To the weak [ wanting in discernment ] 'I have become weak [ wanting in discernment' ] that I might win the weak and over- scrupulous. 'I have in short' become all things to all men, that I might by all means . . . at all costs and in any and every way . . . 'save some by wining them to faith in JESUS CHRIST' ]." . . . { 23 }: And this I do for the Gospel's sake, that 'I might be partaker - i.e., a participator in it and share in its blessings' 'thereof along' with you, { 1- Corinthians 9:16-23 }."

38. Actually, there is no such thing as a Christian Sabbath! Christians are not to worship only on Sunday, but we are to worship 24 hours a day 7 days a week throughout the entire year. We notice also that tongues in { Mark 16:16-17 } was associated with "Baptism," it follows according to several other texts that tongues went along with "water Baptism" throughout the times of transition from Law to Grace.

42. { V. 2 } Scripture: "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.

43. The above { V. 2 } Paraphrased in commentary form . . . "Beware of 'dogs the Judaizers', beware of 'evil mischief workers,' beware of the 'concision i.e., those who mutilate the flesh'. [ Personally, I suspect that those who place tattoos on their bodies are also guilty of being mutilators of the flesh. ]

45. { V. 3 }: For we are the circumcision, which worship GOD in the spirit, and rejoice in CHRIST JESUS, and have no confidence in the flesh, { Philippians 3:2-3 }."

46. The above { V. 3 } paraphrased in commentary form . . . "For 'we Christians' are the type of 'the true circumcision but can never be recognized as Hebrews in any form whatsoever,' which worship GOD in 'the spirit and by the SPIRIT of GOD,' and 'we rejoice and exult, and glory and pride ourselves in CHRIST JESUS, and 'have no confidence or dependence on what we are in the flesh. Or, on outward privileges, physical advantages, and external appearances' ], { Philippians 3:2-3 }." Paul also states . . .

47. { V. 9 } Scripture: "For in Him dwells all the fulness of the GODHEAD bodily."

48. Commentary of the above { V. 9 } "For in Him dwells all the treasures of Divine wisdom, of comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of GOD. . . . And, all the riches of spiritual knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden in the: fulness of the GODHEAD bodily. . . . I.e., the fulness of Deity - the GODHEAD, continues to dwell in bodily form . . . giving complete expression of the Divine Nature. We repeat . . . In CHRIST JESUS, in His deity ( of the divine attributes and nature ) dwelling in His earthly body . . . This is a very strong statement of the Deity and humanity of CHRIST the GOD-MAN.

49. { V. 10 }: And you are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power . . .

50. { V. 10 } above paraphrased in commentary form . . . "And you along with every Child of GOD are perfected in JESUS, made full and have come to fulness of life . . . in CHRIST - you too are filled with the GODHEAD: FATHER SON and HOLY SPIRIT, and have reached full spiritual stature. And, CHRIST is the Head of all rule and authority . . .and of every angelic principality and power."

51. { V. 11 }: 'In [ CHRIST ' ] whom also you are circumcised with the 'circumcision made without hands [ in a spiritual circumcision' ], in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of CHRIST:

53. { V. 12 } Buried with Him in "Baptism," wherein also you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of GOD, Who has raised Him from the dead, { Colossians 2:9-12 }."

54. Commentary . . . { V. 12 }: above has the same meaning as { Romans 6:3-4 } that we have already studied. Eight days after the birth of JESUS He was ritually circumcised according to the Hebrew covenant, { Luke 2:21 }. JESUS was 30 years old when He went to John the Baptist to be "water Baptized " of John, { Luke 3:23; - & - Matthew 3:16 }. He taught 3 1/2 years and then being crucified He was spiritually circumcised when the CHRIST after the flesh was cut off in death, and that was when He received His death "Baptism." We have before stated several times that every Child of GOD has also shared in the LORD's death "Baptism." And, that gives us a picture of the first death of a Christian. Actually there are several ways that death can be explained, but we will mention the three types of death mostly mentioned for mankind today.

55. Of course, there is physical death as every one understands. Plus, the next two deaths are the most important to comprehend that concerns this message, there is, and we will call this particular death "our spiritual death with CHRIST" at His death "Baptism." And then, there is the eternal death of the unsaved person which is called the "second death," which takes place after the death of an unsaved man or woman, see { Revelation 2:11; - 20:6, 14; - & - 21:8. } As we can see, our first death is far - the most important when we died to CHRIST in our - and the LORD's death "Baptism"!

56. As we have previously stated, "Since we shared in His spiritual death 'Baptism,' we also shared in His spiritual circumcision." You notice that this "Baptism" and "circumcision" were performed without the laying on of the hands of men. Even though there is no ordinance for the Christian today to be "water Baptized" or "circumcised" still we have both spiritually! The word "concision" in { Philippians 3:2 }," means "Flesh cutters or mutilators of the flesh." Those who physically circumcise a man, boy or infant is considered as a flesh mutilator. Paul did not add circumcision to the teachings for the Body of CHRIST of this present age, to demand it now for any spiritual reason would be to frustrate the Grace of GOD, Paul stated . . .

This Above Lesson . . .

58. Commentary . . . [ 1 ]: We notice that tongues in { Mark 16:16-17 } were associated with "Baptism," it follows according to several other texts that tongues went along with "water Baptism" throughout the times of transition from law to Grace. Since there were different 'tongues [ languages' ], healings, and other gifts of physical miracles in evidence among the Hebrew Believers at the time Paul was saved, do you think it was unusual that these same things should have been included by Paul for a certain time during his ministry?

59. [ 2 ]: Was there a difference in the tongues spoken before Pentecost and afterwards? See { Mark 16:16-17 }, in contrast to { Acts 2:1-6 }.

66. [ 9 ]: What was the word that the Hebrews used and called the Gentiles? See { Matthew 15:25-26; - & - Philippians 3:2-3 }. . . . Does this refer to you? . . . Are you a Gentile? . . . Are you a Gentile Christian? . . . What is the difference between a Child of God and a Gentile?

67. [ 10 ]: What was it that the Apostle Paul made clear - about the ordinance of circumcision? Please make up your own questions to ask the class concerning the above lesson.

[ Lesson - 29 ]. "Baptism" . . . The Answer Of A Good Conscience Toward God . . .

1. Scripture: "The like figure whereunto even [ this death ] "Baptism" does 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, { 1- Peter 3:21 }."

2. Commentary . . . As we have stated before, Peter was preaching about the LORD's death "Baptism," and not water otherwise known as ritual "Baptism." Concerning the word "answer" in { V. 21 }, Vincent, in His N.T. Word Studies, states, [ Quote ]: "Only here in the New Testament, in classical Greek the word means a question and nothing else. The meaning here is much disputed and can hardly be settled satisfactorily. The rendering "answer" has no warrant, [ End Quote ]."

3. After studying the above part of this message, can you as a Bible student really accept the idea of water "Baptism" having power to save a lost individual? The Scripture proves that rituals have no power to cleanse the conscience or to deliver lost folks from any burden of a guilty conscience. See { Hebrews 10:2-3 }, and that only the blood of JESUS CHRIST can cleanse the conscience from dead works, { Hebrews 9:14 }.

5. Scripture: "For CHRIST also has once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to 'GOD [ the FATHER' ], being put to death in the flesh, but 'quickened [ made alive' ] by the SPIRIT, { 1- Peter 3;18 }."

6. Commentary . . . As we have mentioned before in this message, this is speaking of the LORD's "Baptism" into our death. If we will ignore the parenthesis in { V. 21 } above, notice what it says, ". . . 'Baptism' does also now save us . . . by the resurrection of JESUS CHRIST." How much better can it get?

9. Scripture: { V. 9 }: "That if you shall confess with your mouth the LORD JESUS, and shall 'believe in your 'heart [ mind' ] that GOD raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.

10. { V. 10 }: For with the Heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation, { Romans 10:9-10 }."

11. The above { V. 10 } paraphrased in commentary form . . . "For with the 'Heart [ mind' ] man 'believes trusts in and relies on CHRIST, and so is justified, and declared unto righteousness;' and with the mouth confession 'is made openly, and the newly converted speak out freely concerning their faith' unto salvation, { Romans 10:9-10 }." See { Colossians 1:12-14; - & - Ephesians 1:5-7 }.

13. Israel's eyes are closed to CHRIST as MESSIAH during this Body of CHRIST period, but the Gentiles eyes are open to the understanding about Him through the ministry of many ministers! During the tribulation period and from then on, Israel's eyes will be opened. See { Acts 28:26-27 }. But, many of the Gentile eyes will be closed to Him because most of them have heard about salvation during this Age of Grace but deliberately closed their eyes to ministers who have taught them! Therefore, they will go into the Tribulation Period and remain in a blind condition. Naturally we are only talking about those people who have had a chance to become Christians. There will be many Gentiles and Jews alike during that Tribulation Dispensation who have never heard about the salvation gift, and will accept CHRIST at that time. Concerning those folks during that awful Tribulation Period read these next verses when Paul stated . . .

14. { V. 10 } Scripture: "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received 'NOT' the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

15. The above { V. 10 } paraphrased in commentary form . . . "When we ministers were with you teaching you about being saved, you rejected JESUS CHRIST as your Saviour: And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received 'NOT' the love of the truth, that they might be saved."

16. { V. 11 }: And for this cause GOD shall send them 'strong delusion' that they believe a lie.

17. { V. 12 }: That they "ALL" might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. { 2- Thessalonians 2:10-12 }."

18. Concerning { V. 10 } above: Commentary . . . In that terrible day of judgment, as in Paul's day, there will be followers on both sides; the Antichrist will have his "believers" too. They are called here "them that perish" [ Greek - 'apollymi' ] meaning "the lost" or "those who are perishing." The reason these people are lost is "because they received not" the Gospel of salvation. Observe that the word "received" [ Greek - 'dechomai' ] is a vivid attitude indicator; it means "to welcome" as one welcomes a guest he wishes to entertain. This is an opposite attitude to that of the Thessalonians themselves who received the Gospel message for what it was, 'the Word of GOD.' See { 1- Thessalonians 2:13 }. These people will not be able to blame GOD for being lost; they will refuse to believe the Word of GOD and be saved. A better translation of the verse is "because they refuse to love the truth and be saved."

19. As to verses { 11-12 }: Since these people will not believe the truth, and because of their hard-heartedness GOD allows them to believe the great lie. Although GOD is the sovereign agent behind all that happens, it is clear in this passage that a voluntary, rational choice is made by various people in every age who have "pleasure in unrighteousness." The word used here [ Greek "eudokeo" ] means to "make a decision about what is right." The decision will be theirs; they will chose unrighteousness rather than for righteousness and GOD. Therefore, the result will be when that time comes to fruition, the majority of the population of man will believe the 'big lie [ literally., the great lie' ] as Satan works through his one world ruler: Antichrist! Thus they will be condemned, for all eternity!

30. [ 11 ]: When we read { Romans 4:9-19 } does this text prove that Abraham was saved by water "Baptism?" . . . Does it also prove that "Baptism" took the place of circumcision, what saved him? . . . Was he saved without either "Baptism or circumcision? . . . "Was he saved under the Mosaic Covenant, How, when and where?

31. [ 12 ]: What does the above text prove, are we today saved in the same way that Abraham was saved, what does { Romans 10:9-10 } teach us concerning salvation?

32. [ 13 ]: Circumcision by the Mosaic Law, and Grace through the LORD JESUS CHRIST cannot be mixed together! The Apostle Paul wrote: Scripture: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith CHRIST has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 'Behold [ take notice' ], I Paul say unto you, that if you be circumcised , CHRIST shall profit you nothing, { Galatians 5:1-2 }." Paul was inspired by GOD the HOLY SPIRIT so . . . isn't it wrong to use ritual "water Baptism" as a substitute for ritual circumcision, when neither one of them can profit you anything? . . . Isn't it better to accept the real, and reject the ritual?

33. [ 14 ]: { Philippians 3:3 } makes us really think, and it should wise many teachers up. What does this verse teach us about the flesh? . . . Are we "spiritually speaking," to perform a literal circumcision on all boy children in order to satisfy some religious leader who cannot separate himself from ritualism? . . . Are we really, to take that type of teaching seriously? . . . Should we accept what the Apostle teaches us today or the denominational doctrine of some denominational group? . . . Seriously discuss these questions in your class!

35. [ 16 ]: What does { Hebrews 10:1-2 } teach regarding the power of ceremonial observations in cleansing the conscience? Read again our above statement on this subject.

39. [ 20 ]: When you read { Hebrews 9:14 }, what is the one thing that can give a person a good conscience before GOD?

40. [ 21 ]: Do you believe that there were such things as man made "Baptisms?" For the answer see { Mark 7:1-9 }.

41. [ 22 ]: If one is water "Baptized" does this "Baptism" bestow upon that person a good conscience toward GOD? . . . Could it be that the death of the LORD JESUS plus His resurrection gives one a good conscience toward GOD? . . . What was it that the Apostle wrote about this? . . . Remember that it was Peter and not Paul who wrote the following text . . . { 1- Peter 3:13-22 }. Could this be a question or an answer of a good conscience Peter was talking about?

42. [ 23 ]: According to { Acts 2:38; - & - Mark 16:15-16 }, there were certain requirements for those who were to be "Baptized." Is it possible for babies and other very small children to completely fulfill all those specified requirements?

45. [ 26 ]: { Leviticus 12:2-3 }, states that on the 8th day after birth, the boy child must be circumcised. A question we must ask Covenant Theologians is this: . . . "If water Baptism and circumcision" must be performed today, "why doesn't the 'Baptism' alone for all Christians, take the place of circumcision?

48. Scripture: "Howbeit [ although' ] in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines . . . the commandments of men, { Mark 7:7 }." . . . Read { Vs. 5-8 }.

49. Commentary . . . The fact is, there are many Ministers who know that water "Baptism" cannot save a baby or other small children, but they go right ahead and continue to "Baptize" them because of the tradition carried on by their denominations, why is this? Is it because of the money they receive for their office in the Church, could it be for fame, do you think it is because of ignorance? . . . When a Minister "Baptizes" someone in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT, for something that they know positively that what they are doing was under a previous program and not under the program for the Body of CHRIST, this is using the LORD's name in vain! According to { Deuteronomy 6:13 } it was okay to swear by the LORD's name, but to use His name in vain was forbidden! [ There are many ways to use the LORD's name in vain ]!

50. Scripture: "You shall not take the name of the LORD your GOD in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in Vain, { Exodus 20:7 }. What are your ideas about this?

[ Lesson - 30 ]. The Different Water Baptismal Modes. . . .

1. Commentary . . . We find no mention of any certain mode of water "Baptism" in the N.T. Likewise, we find no reference to anybody being buried or even immersed in water in the N.T. "Water purification rituals" strictly belonged to the Hebrew order under the old Law, and carried over into the N.T. under the Kingdom Gospel, { Hebrews 9:10 }. 73 out of 106 places in the N.T, where "water Baptism or cleaning" is referred to positively refer to a ceremony. Remember, the Hebrews knew all about "water purification rituals" when John the Baptist came on the scene since it was an O.T. ordinance! They just could not figure out why he performed this ritual if he wasn't the promised "CHRIST [ MESSIAH" ], or one of the Old Testament prophets such as Elijah, see { Malachi 4:5 }; neither that prophet," which again was referring to Elijah, { Matthew 11:14 }. . . .

2. JESUS was teaching that if the Hebrews had received Him, they would also have understood that John the Baptist fulfilled the O.T. prediction of the "coming of Elijah BEFORE the day of the LORD," see { Matthew 17:12; - & - John 1:21; 25 }. We have already brought out that practically all the "purification" rituals under the Law Dispensation was performed by sprinkling or by "washing [ Baptismos" ] various articles in water for ceremonies of purification. And these were all called "divers Baptisms." Where these "Baptisms" were to be performed was to be in a place in clean, pure, running water. To prove this, see { Leviticus 11:26; - 14:5-6; - 50-52; - 15:2,13; - 22:4,9; - & - Psalm 51:7 }. A sprig of "hyssop" was used to dip in blood or water and then sprinkle on a person or an article for "purification." A careful student will be sure to read { Hebrews 9-19-23; - & - Numbers 19:17-22 }.

3. C. R. Stam . . . wrote in one of his books the following passage . . . [ Quote ]: "When we read { Matthew 3:5-6; - & - Luke 7:29-30 }, we should point out that from these and other passages it is clear that John had a wide and profoundly effective ministry. Not only the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but those of "all Judaea," save only the "Pharisees and lawyers," came to John to be "Baptized." How could he have immersed all these in the course of his very brief ministry? It would have been impossible! But it would not have been impossible for him to sprinkle them in large groups with a branch of hyssop, as a ceremonial cleansing. This is another evidence that water "Baptism" was effected by sprinkling or pouring, and in this case certainly not by immersion.

4. We should consider also the "Baptism" of the 3,000 at Pentecost. Is it possible that the Apostles immersed 3,000 people at Pentecost? We know that Peter began his Pentecostal address at about nine in the morning { Acts 2:15 }, and it was after his address that 3,000 people were "Baptized the same day" { V. 41 }. But, the situation becomes even "more impossible" as we consider that these men had been "tarrying at Jerusalem," waiting for the HOLY SPIRIT according to our LORD's command. Is it possible, then, that enough receptacles were at hand or could have been brought to the scene, each one large enough to hold the necessary amount of water to immerse a person?

5. Certainly there is no indication that they were near enough to any large body of water to have immersed 3,000 people, and to have had to bring numerous large receptacles to the scene for the purpose would have taken considerably more time from their short 12-hour day, so that even 4+ per minute would have had to be increased to perhaps 7 or 8 or more. As we consider these simple mathematical facts, the whole idea of immersing 3,000 people at Pentecost becomes absurd. And we have not even mentioned, as yet, that { Acts 4:4 } and other passages may well imply that only the men were included in the number mentioned! [ No women or children are even mentioned ]. So perhaps we should do our arithmetic all over again!

7. Commentary . . . { John 3:23 } shows how John "Baptized" in running water. The word "Aenon" which is believed to be in Samaria where many springs existed, means springs of running water. Naturally this has nothing to do with the mode used in the ritual! Again we repeat: we find no mention of anybody in the O.T. being immersed in water. On the other hand, sprinkling for purification reasons are mentioned many times in the O.T, and over 50 times in the N.T.

9. The Scriptural texts which are referred to by the immersionist are primarily { Colossians 2:12; - & - Romans 6:3-5 }. We have already studied these two texts and have found no water in either of these verses. It has been stated that if these verses referred to water then all the various ritual "Baptisms" performed before the LORD's death on the Cross certainly could not have been applied to a burial because JESUS had not as yet been buried. Was John, the Apostles and the other followers of JESUS burying folks in water before His death?

10. How could those burial practices put anybody into CHRIST's death before He had died? And how could one be "Baptized" into the Body of CHRIST before the Body existed? We repeat as we have mentioned over and over, "water Baptism" was an ordinance of ceremonial cleansing, of purification "{ John 3:25 }" for the Hebrew only, and had absolutely nothing to do with the Body of CHRIST in this present age of Grace!

18. But, again, what the Apostle in { V. 3 - & - 4 } calls "Baptism" into CHRIST, and into His death and burial in { V. 5 }, he calls planting in the likeness of CHRIST's death. But what resemblance is there between immersion and CHRIST's death, or between immersion and planting in the likeness of CHRIST's death? Was He put to death by drowning? He was not thirst down in the water, but lifted up upon the Cross. He did not die by being gently sunk into yielding fluid, but by being violently nailed upon an unyielding stake. Neither is immersion in water a representation of the idea of planting.

Write down the answers to the following questions that are associated with this above lesson . . .

42. [ 21 ]: Are you aware of just one text which implies that ritual "Baptism" is referring to washing? . . . If the answer is no, notice what { Acts 22:16; - & - John 3:22-25 } says. How were they purified?

50. [ 29 ]: Was it the water that made folks new men according to { Ephesians 2:15 }, was it the water or something else?