Baptized Into Christ

[Mr. M]

Galatians 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Using Acts 19 as an example, can you identify at what point a believer is baptized into Christ?

Acts 19:1-7 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”  And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all.

Here is another example involving Paul and John in Samaria

Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,  who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Edited September 24, 2024 by Mr. M

[AdHoc]

8 hours ago, Mr. M said:

Galatians 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Using Acts 19 as an example, can you identify at what point a believer is baptized into Christ?

Acts 19:1-7 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”  And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all.

Here is another example involving Paul and John in Samaria

Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,  who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

This is quite an involved matter. Pairing Acts 2, 8 and 19 is logical, but adding Galatians 3 is difficult. But it is nevertheless pertinent. I understand that there are six reasons for water Baptism. It is not my goal to explain them all for that requires a book. But I will name them to get to the difference between Acts and Galatians:
1. Baptism is a command. Even if one does not see any other reason, refusing water immersion in Jesus' Name is being a rebel
2. Baptism guarantees that your old life is buried. All persons that God used had to pass through a flood (Josh:24:2, 14)
3. Baptism guarantees that you will have the same body as Jesus in resurrection (Rom.6:5)
4. Baptism guarantees a clearing of your conscience for serving God (1st Pet.3:21)

The remaining two reasons address the above scriptures - Galatians and Acts:-
5. God made a Covenant with Abraham for the Land, which is later extended to the whole earth (Rom4:13). Man's part of this Covenant is to be circumcised. But while circumcision is enough of the flesh to be cut off for the Land of Canaan, scripture requires a cutting off of the whole flesh. 1st Corinthians 15:50-54 requires anew body either by resurrection or metamorphosis. Jesus thus calls His death a "Baptism" (Matt.20:22-23). And the disciples would partake of this "Baptism". To be part of the Covenant of Promise for Canaan cutting the foreskin was enough, but for Christ's Kingdom cutting off the whole flesh was required. But this would preclude the building of the Church. Our bodies are Christ's members and every Christian who dies causes a loss to the Church.

So God solves this problem by counting us a IN Christ in His death (Jn.12:24). All we must do is a "SIGN" of this cutting off (Rom.4:11) - Baptism. For a Jew, circumcision remains for it is regulated by Law and the Law does not pass. He also does not need anything more because he is refused the Kingdom in any case (Matt.21:43). But the Christian needs two things for the Kingdom. He needs to be seed of Abraham and he needs circumcision of the whole body. Baptism in Jesus' name REPLACES circumcision for being eligible for the kingdom (Col.2:10-12). This is reflected in John 3. To SEE the Kingdom one must be born again. To ENTER the Kingdom one must be born out of the Spirit and born OUT of water. This also solves another big problem. Women cannot inherit the Land of Canaan. The Levirate marriage of the Law only guarantees the continuation of the SON'S inheritance. But women can, and will inherit the Kingdom of God. Water immersion precludes circumcision for women.

6. The last reason I see for Baptism is Acts 2:38. God gave His Spirit TWICE - 1. Once for possessing ETERNAL LIFE inwardly and 2. Once for POWER for ministry. The gospel of John deals with receiving the Holy Spirit for LIFE and this happens in John 20:22 (see also Jn.7;39 & 20:30-31). Then the Lord, having breathed the Holy Spirit INTO His disciples, commanded them to wait in Jerusalem for POWER (Lk.24:49, Act.1:8). The Holy Spirit come UPON a Christian who is Baptized for POWER for ministry. The reason for the events in Acts Chapter 8, 10 and 19 where given because at the house of Cornelius God made an exception. Peter was so hemmed in by the Law, which refuses relations with the Gentiles, that he would never have thought of Baptizing Cornelius and his House. God goes against His rule of Acts 2:38 and gives the Holy Spirit for POWER before water immersion. But to make sure that Christians KNOW that it was an exception, He shows in Acts 8 and 19 that Christians must stick to His order - FAITH; then Water Immersion, the "you will receive the Holy Spirit" (for power).

So, in the above postings,
- Galatians 3:26-29 pertains to point #5
- Acts 8 and 19 (and 10 for that matter) pertain to point #6

[grahampaul]

i disagre.the baptism that john preached  was looking forwards to jesus.now past tense..we are baptised with the Holy Spirit now.

[Cntrysner]

9 hours ago, grahampaul said:

i disagre.the baptism that john preached  was looking forwards to jesus.now past tense..we are baptised with the Holy Spirit now.

Yes, Baptized by the Spirit into Christ...

1Co 12:13  For by 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.

One baptism....

Eph 4:5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

1Co 1:14  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 
1Co 1:15  Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 
1Co 1:16  And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 
1Co 1:17  For Christ 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. 

[AdHoc]

On 9/18/2024 at 2:01 AM, grahampaul said:

i disagre.the baptism that john preached  was looking forwards to jesus.now past tense..we are baptised with the Holy Spirit now.

 

On 9/18/2024 at 11:15 AM, Cntrysner said:

Yes, Baptized by the Spirit into Christ...

1Co 12:13  For by 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.

One baptism....

Eph 4:5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

1Co 1:14  I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 
1Co 1:15  Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 
1Co 1:16  And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. 
1Co 1:17  For Christ 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. 

Gentlemen, Brothers, you create a massive difficulty here despite saying that you agree. The Immersion of John was with WATER. The Immersion into one Body is by the Spirit. Added to this, John's Baptism proved impotent in Acts 19. 

The "One Baptism" in Ephesians 4:5 is water immersion. The "One Spirit" of 1st Corinthians 12:13 Immerses us into "ONE BODY". The Immersion of John was for Israel BEFORE the Kingdom was ripped from them. It served three purposes:
1. It remitted sins. That does not mean the sins were removed. Rather, it means that the guilt is removed
2. It ended God's economy of Law for Israel (Matt.11:13, Lk.16:16). The Law's justification was not enough for the Kingdom of Heaven. The Law, a "schoolmaster", was buried in the death waters of the Jordan**
3. Our Lord Jesus caused John to Immerse Him because a New Company of men with a new birth would administer the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus had no sin and no guilt, but Jesus deemed it "righteous" to be Immersed, not because of any other reason except that He was from Mary - an Israelite of the Old Creation. It was a "sign" of the Old being terminated and Him being the firstborn of the New Creation.

** Of course, if Israel refused the King and the faith needed to become sons of God, which they did, then the Covenant of Law would remain until heaven and earth passed at the White Throne.

@Cntrysner your use of 1st Corinthians 1:14-17 and the implications of your highlights/bold type is out of context. It is an explanation of the fleshly division in Corinth. It refers to the dispute with Apollos, who had the wrong doctrine as is shown in Acts 18. Paul extracts himself from the division it caused by saying that as an Apostle, he only occasionally immersed in water. His true job was to announce Christ (Eph.3:1-9). It is given to the rest of the Church to Immerse in water in the name of Jesus. Your bold and italics in verse 17 gives the impression that if Paul Baptized, the gospel would suffer. But it is men's words of wisdom that causes the gospel to suffer. To put a divine and historical trace on Christianity to the events of Jerusalem, the Apostles MUST Baptize in Samaria and Ephesus (Act.8 & 19).

[Mr. M]

5 minutes ago, AdHoc said:

your use of 1st Corinthians 1:14-17 and the implications of your highlights/bold type is out of context. It is an explanation of the fleshly division in Corinth. It refers to the dispute with Apollos, who had the wrong doctrine as is shown in Acts 18. Paul extracts himself from the division it caused by saying that as an Apostle, he only occasionally immersed in water. His true job was to announce Christ (Eph.3:1-9). It is given to the rest of the Church to Immerse in water in the name of Jesus. Your bold and italics in verse 17 gives the impression that if Paul Baptized, the gospel would suffer. But it is men's words of wisdom that causes the gospel to suffer. To put a divine and historical trace on Christianity to the events of Jerusalem, the Apostles MUST Baptize in Samaria and Ephesus (Act.8 & 19).

Following the example set forth by the Lord.

John 4:1-3 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. 

This in no way diminishes the importance of water baptism, but merely dismisses the notion that the person administering is someone "special". Whether performed by Paul, Apollos, or an elder of the Congregation, the work of the Spirit must be prioritized.

[Mr. M]

On 9/17/2024 at 7:05 AM, Mr. M said:

Galatians 3:26-29 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Using Acts 19 as an example, can you identify at what point a believer is baptized into Christ?

Acts 19:1-7 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”  And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all.

Here is another example involving Paul and John in Samaria

Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,  who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

1 John 5:

6 This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water,

but by water and blood. 

And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 

7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; 

and these three are One. 

8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood;

and these three agree as one.

There appears to remain much disagreement over the significance of water baptism,

and baptism into Christ by the Holy Spirit.

Water baptism is a command and individual mandate. Every believer must be baptized 

in the Name to be saved.

Mark 16:

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 

16 Whosoever believes and is baptized will be saved; 

but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

Upon conversion, all receive the promise of the Father by Faith,

and the presence of the Lord as our Helper, the Holy Spirit of God.

When Paul speaks of being baptized into Christ, he is referencing

the Living Body of Christ, and the corporate Anointing upon those

who gather in His Name. They receive power from above that they may

know the Will of God for them as a part of that Body.

An individual can be saved by believing the Message,

but they must be an active part of His Body to serve as The Elect.

[AdHoc]

1 hour ago, Mr. M said:

Following the example set forth by the Lord.

John 4:1-3 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. 

This in no way diminishes the importance of water baptism, but merely dismisses the notion that the person administering is someone "special". Whether performed by Paul, Apollos, or an elder of the Congregation, the work of the Spirit must be prioritized.

If there is any objection, I have missed it. Otherwise I agree. But Samaria and Ephesus had a set of circumstances over and above mere Baptism. Acts Chapter 10 as well - for that matter. With many false Christ's predicted for the Jews (because they still look for Him), our Lord cleverly established a line from that fateful Passover in Jerusalem, through Judea, Samaria, the Gentiles and the uttermost parts of the earth, so that none of these false Christs can claim that they started the way. Thus, in Samaria Philip, although he did everything right, was not successful. It needed an Apostle - a foundation of the Church.

Cornelius needed an exception because Peter's "Jewishness" would never have allowed relations with Gentiles, and so Ephesus, with number 12 showing ALL God's people, needed a connection to Jerusalem, but with the Apostle to the Gentiles confirming Acts 2:38.

[AdHoc]

1 hour ago, Mr. M said:

1 John 5:

6 This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water,

but by water and blood. 

And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 

7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; 

and these three are One. 

8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood;

and these three agree as one.

There appears to remain much disagreement over the significance of water baptism,

and baptism into Christ by the Holy Spirit.

Water baptism is a command and individual mandate. Every believer must be baptized 

in the Name to be saved.

Mark 16:

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 

16 Whosoever believes and is baptized will be saved; 

but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

Upon conversion, all receive the promise of the Father by Faith,

and the presence of the Lord as our Helper, the Holy Spirit of God.

When Paul speaks of being baptized into Christ, he is referencing

the Living Body of Christ, and the corporate Anointing upon those

who gather in His Name. They receive power from above that they may

know the Will of God for them as a part of that Body.

An individual can be saved by believing the Message,

but they must be an active part of His Body to serve as The Elect.

My first posting on page 1 should answer this fairly. To date, no one has commented or objected except (I think) @grahampaul

[AdHoc]

@Mr. M

"Oh Vey" - a Jiddish exclamation indicating frustration and / or disappointment.

I admire compact and accurate conveyance of thought .