The hand-off is one of the most important exchanges between a quarterback and a running back. It is often fraught with fumbles and perilous miscues. Because of the critical nature of the hand-off and the numerous things that can go wrong, top athletes practice this over and over and over again. As Christian athletes the exchange of truth from one person to another; one generation to another is far more important and fraught with many more obstacles. Correctly handling the word of God is essential to being a profitable teacher of God’s word (2 Tim. 2:1-2).
One such truth, under constant bombardment from the denominational world is the biblical topic of baptism. Satan’s swarming defense makes this exchange difficult at times. Baptism is the rejected command in the plan of salvation. Jesus commanded (Mark 16:16) and men reject it, either because of ignorance, prejudice or dishonesty. Pride often moves people from ignorance and prejudice to dishonesty once the truth of God’s word has been clearly handed off.
The importance of baptism cannot be biblical denied due to the fact that is has several significant attachments. Baptism is attached to...
· The blood of Jesus (Rom. 6:3; Jho. 19:34).
· The body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 5:25; cf. 1:22-23).
· All spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3; Gal. 3:27).
· The resurrection of Christ (1 Pet. 3:21; Col. 2:12).
· The forgiveness of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38).
· Heirs of God (Gal. 3:26-29; 1 Jho. 3:1).
So, what the Bible says about baptism - no matter how controversial - no matter how contrary to what we have been taught - we must be willing to accept biblical truth - the whole truth and nothing but the truth (Jho. 8:32).
Rick
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KNOWING ONLY THE BAPTISMS OF DENOMINATIONS! BY STEVE FINNELL
If men have been baptized knowing only the baptisms of denominations, are their baptisms valid. Do men, who are baptized for the wrong reason or baptize using the incorrect method, need to be baptized with Christian baptism in order for their sins to be forgiven, in order to be baptized into Christ, or in order to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?
Apollos, a man who knew the Scriptures very well was teaching incorrect doctrine about New Covenant baptism. He needed to be taught the truth. (Acts 18:24-26...25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.)
John's baptism was invalid after the Day of Pentecost.
Apollos had been preaching in Ephesus. The apostle Paul evidently came in contact with some of the disciples that were incorrectly taught by Apollos. (Acts 19:1-5 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2 he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said,"Into John's baptism." 4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who to come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
The Ephesian disciples were re-baptized.
John's baptism was not a valid baptism after the Day of Pentecost. Those who were baptized with John's baptism after the day of Pentecost had to be re-baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and so that they might receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (that is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit).
KNOWING ONLY THE BAPTISMS OF DENOMINATIONS!
If men today are baptized knowing only the baptisms of denominations should they be re-baptized? If the disciples in Ephesus needed to be re-baptized, why then, would not those, today, who have been baptized for the wrong reason or by the incorrect method not need to be baptized in accordance with the teaching of Jesus and that commanded by the apostles?
1. Baptized as simple act of obedience is for the wrong reason.
2. Baptized as testimony of faith is for the wrong reason.
3. Being baptized, believing your sins have already been forgiven is for the wrong reason.
4. Being baptized so you can become a member of a denominational church is for the wrong reason.
5. Being baptized so original sin can be forgiven is for the wrong reason.
6. Being sprinkled or having water poured on you is the wrong method.
7. Baptizing infants is unnecessary. It is for the wrong reason.Sprinkling is also the wrong method.
8. Denying that baptism is essential for the forgiveness of sins is intellectually rejecting baptism. Denying the purpose of baptism, is baptism for the wrong reason.
Jesus said he who is baptized shall be saved. (Mark 16:16)
The apostle Peter said be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.(Acts 2:38)
The apostle Paul said we are baptized into Christ. (Galatians 3:27)
Peter said baptism saves us. (1 Peter 3:21)
Apollos believed the truth when taught by Aquila and Priscilla.
The Ephesus disciples believed the truth when taught by the apostle Paul.
Why do denominations not believe the truth when taught by Jesus and the apostles?
BAPTISMS THAT ARE CONTRARY TO SCRIPTURE ARE NOT VALID BAPTISMS.
(Scripture from: NKJV)
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