John the Baptist and His Baptism
A Series of Bible Lessons on the Doctrine of Baptism
John the Baptist and His Baptism – Part 1
Mark 1:4
I. Introduction
A. We have just started working through the Gospel of Mark
B. The Shortest Gospel, but packed with the Gospel
1. 41st Book of the Bible, right after Matthew
2. 16 chapters, 678 verses
3. Half the size of the Gospel of Luke. It would take you /should take you less than 2 hours to read through in one sitting
4. Written for a wide audience. Not mainly for Jewish readers, but for everyone.
5. An action-book. The text flows quickly from scene to scene.
6. A brief synopsis of the life of Jesus. could have been meant for reading in one sitting—or aloud to an audience. It’s an exciting account of the Son of God that could speak to the Jews and the non-Jews of Mark’s day.
7. Focuses on Jesus’ role as the suffering servant and son of God. The main purpose of the writing of this Gospel was to simply and powerfully present the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for sinners.
8. A great introduction to the Christian faith.
II. Meet John the Baptist (Mark 1:4-8)
A. John the Forerunner of the Messiah
1. Someone special who would announce the arrival of the Messiah
2. Prophesied/predicted throughout history
3. Someone who would turn the nation of Israel to God
4. The greatest prophet of all time (Mat 11:7-14)
a) Mat 11:7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?
b) Mat 11:8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.
c) Mat 11:9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.
d) Mat 11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
e) Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
f) Mat 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
g) Mat 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.
h) Mat 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
B. John the Preacher
1. Loud and strong voice – could be heard throughout the desert
2. Preaching prophecy, and repentance
a) That the long awaited kingdom of heaven was here (Mat 3:1,2) In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
b) That all men must repent to enter into it
3. John Demanded…
a) Repentance – a change of heart about your own sin
1) A Sorrow about your wrong doing – being very sorry about how you ARE
2) A Brokenness about being unable to change and not sin
3) A desire to change and live the right way
4) Repentance does not change anything – it allows you to BE changed
b) Public Baptism to Show Repentance
1) Could not just SAY “I am sorry” but demanded public humiliation
2) Mar 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
3) Luk 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
c) People to prepare for the remission of sins – NOT to receive the remission of sins FROM John
1) It was and is NOT possible for water to remove sin. Full stop!
2) Only the Messiah could do that
3) Isaiah 53:3-6
(a) Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
(b) Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, [HE WAS] smitten of God, and afflicted.
(c) Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
(d) Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
4) John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
5) Mt 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
6) Act 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
7) Acts 13:38,39 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
8) Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
9) Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
10) Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
d) Public Confession of sin
1) Not sitting back and hoping anything is uncovered
2) But instead admitting to sins
(a) Not like a catholic confessional booth
(b) But a public admittance of sin against God
e) Believe on the Messiah
1) Everyone to look for the arrival of the Messiah
2) John 1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
3) John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
4) John 1:36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
5) Which is exactly what they did!
C. John was the Baptizer
1. The first person to baptize in history
a) There was no baptism of believers in the Old Testament
b) But there was a picture of baptism at the Red Sea (1Cor 10:1-4)
1) 1Co 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2) 1Co 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3) 1Co 10:3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4) 1Co 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5) The baptism was symbolic only – not effective – did not do anything except show they were committed to following MOSES (like Baptism shows we are committed to following Jesus CHRIST)
c) But Baptism was something brand new with John
2. Meaning of Baptism
a) Baptism means Immersion, Submersion, Soaking, Covering - not dipping, or sprinkling
b) Matt 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him
c) Act 8:38,39 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water...
3. Three Baptisms:
a) John’s Water Baptism was First
1) Pointed to the Remission of Sins that would come from the Messiah
2) It was only for the Jews
3) Act 2:36 -38 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when 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? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you [JEWS] in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
4) Act 13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
5) Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized [JEWS] with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the [JEWISH] people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
b) The Baptism by the Holy Spirit of a Believer into Christ the Messiah
1) 1Co 12:12,13 For as 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. 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. [NOT INTO ONE RIVER]
2) Gal 3:26-28 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
3) Rom 6:3,4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore 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.
4) A spiritual baptism – not literal baptism into water!
5) This baptism Happens at salvation – the new birth
6) Happens to every believer, Jew or Gentile
7) This baptism is the work of God in response to our faith in Christ as our Saviour!
8) Placing us marvelously into the Messiah!
9) 2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
c) Third: Water Baptism pictures the Remissions of sins
1) Only for believers
2) A ceremony marking the public confession of FAITH and decision to FOLLOW the life of Christ
3) Act 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
4) Act 19:4,5 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
D. Water Baptism is NOT part of the Gospel
1. The Cross is the Gospel – full stop!
2. 1Co 1:17,18 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. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
3. Tell me, WHO was sent to baptize?
a) It was JOHN THE BAPTIST!
b) Not PAUL. Not Apollos. Not Timothy.
c) And even though we do baptizer believers, we were never SENT to baptize! That would reduce the pre-emince of Christ and the cross.
4. 1Pet 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
5. More about this next week!
III. Conclusion
A. John was someone special who would announce the arrival of the Messiah
B. Someone who would turn the nation of Israel to God – not for Gentiles
C. John Demanded…
1. Repentance – a change of heart about your own sin
2. Public Baptism to Show Repentance
3. People to prepare for the remission of sins – NOT to receive the remission of sins FROM John
4. Public Confession of sin
5. Believe on the Messiah
D. Three Baptisms:
1. John’s Water Baptism was First – Repentance for the Jews
2. The Baptism by the Holy Spirit of a Believer into Christ the Messiah - salvation
3. Water Baptism pictures the Remissions of sins – Just a ceremony of Obedience
E. Water Baptism is NOT part of the Gospel
F. We will continue this and more next week
John the Baptist and His Baptism – Part 2
Mark 1:4-8
I. Introduction
A. We have just started studying through the Gospel of Mark
B. The Shortest Gospel, but packed with the Gospel
1. Half the size of the Gospel of Luke. Just 16 chapters
2. Written for a wide audience. Not mainly for Jewish readers, but for everyone.
3. An action-book. The text flows quickly from scene to scene.
4. A brief synopsis of the life of Jesus. could have been meant for reading in one sitting—or aloud to an audience. It’s an exciting account of the Son of God that could speak to the Jews and the non-Jews of Mark’s day.
5. Focuses on Jesus’ role as the suffering servant and son of God. The main purpose of the writing of this Gospel was to simply and powerfully present the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for sinners.
6. A great introduction to the Christian faith.
II. Last Week - Meet John the Baptist (Mark 1:4-8)
A. John was the Forerunner of the Messiah
B. John was a Preacher. John Demanded…
1. Repentance – a change of heart about your own sin
2. Public Baptism to Show Repentance
3. People to prepare for the remission of sins – NOT to receive the remission of sins FROM John
4. Public Confession of sin
5. Believe on the Messiah
C. John was the First Baptizer
D. Water Baptism is NOT part of the Gospel
1. I am going to pick up with this truth tonight and expand on it
E. There are THREE Baptisms
1. John’s Water Baptism was First
a) Pointed to the Remission of Sins that would come from the Messiah
b) It was only for the Jews
c) Act 13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
2. The Baptism by the Holy Spirit of a Believer into Christ the Messiah
a) 1Co 12:12,13 For as 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. 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. [NOT INTO ONE RIVER]
b) Gal 3:26-28 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
c) A spiritual baptism – not literal baptism into water!
d) Applies the remission of Sins to the believer!
e) This baptism Happens at salvation – the new birth
f) Placing us marvelously into the Messiah!
g) Happens to every believer, Jew or Gentile
h) This baptism is the work of God in response to our faith in Christ as our Saviour!
3. Believer’s Water Baptism pictures the Remissions of sins that had happened to them
a) Only for believers
b) A ceremony marking the public confession of FAITH and decision to FOLLOW the life of Christ
c) Act 19:4,5 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
d) Just like the Lord’s Remembrance Supper is a PICTURE (it is NOT literal, even though it SOUNDS literal), so also is believer’s baptism. Neither Baptism or Communion does anything for the soul of the believer!
III. Message
A. John’s Baptism was ONLY Water Baptism (Mark 1:7,8; Acts 1:5)
1. Mar 1:7,8 And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
2. Act 1:5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
3. So, Baptism of the Holy Ghost [SALVATION] was infinitely more important than baptism in water!
4. Water baptism was/is almost worthless (Matt 3:11) I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but 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:
5. It is valuable mainly as a step of obedience AS a believer – not to become a believer! PONDER AND REMEMBER THIS!
B. Jesus NEVER Baptized with Water (John 4:1,2)
1. John 4:1,2 When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
2. Jesus ONLY baptizes using two things:
a) With the Holy Spirit – placing a believer into Himself – the new birth, salvation, redemption
b) And with FIRE – placing unbelievers into hell
c) NEVER with water
3. Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but 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:
4. Because Jesus’ baptism was BETTER than John’s and was spiritual/eternal!
C. The Cross is the Gospel – full stop!
1. 1Co 1:17,18 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. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
2. What IS the Gospel?
a) It is GOOD NEWS – that when we were headed for hell, someone paid the full debt payment to God for our sins, and secured our eternal salvation before God! (Luke 2:10,11) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
b) HOW God saves sinners is described in 1Cor 15:1-4
1) 1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2) 1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3) 1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4) 1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
c) Five Undeniable truths about the Gospel
1) Christ (no one else, not even John the Baptist) was qualified to save by His perfect life, lived according to all the expectations of the Law – that’s why He was called the Christ
2) Christ was condemned, NOT as a sinner, but as sin itself, when He was crucified. All of us are already condemned for our own sins
(a) 2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
(b) Joh 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
3) Christ experienced death for every person (Heb 2:9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
4) Christ was completely buried with both wicked people and rich people – no difference in His death than any other death and burial (Isa 53:9) And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
5) And Christ came back to life again three days later, as prophesied in the Scriptures in Jonah, and in Hosea 6:2
d) THAT is it!
D. Answer These Questions:
1. Where is water baptism in any of that?
a) Nowhere except as a PICTURE of all that happened
b) Baptism ONLY pictures what Christ did. End of story!
c) None of MY actions when I get baptized do anything for me except illustrate what Jesus did for me when HE died, and was buried and rose again!
2. Where are any good works at all done to receive the benefit of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection?
3. What does anyone have to “DO” to enjoy the benefits of the Gospel? (1Cor 15:1,2)
a) Hear it
b) Receive it – accept it as true – don’t argue and fight it
c) Remember receiving it – if it is not in your memory, then maybe it never happened
d) Believe it completely – not empty or vainly
e) And THAT is when what Christ DID works for you!
4. It’s so simple and laid out clearly in Romans 10:8-16
a) Rom 10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
b) Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
c) Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
d) Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
e) Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
f) Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
g) Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
h) Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
i) Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel...
E. So, Our Salvation is based ONLY upon what Jesus Christ did – full stop!
1. 1Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. [NOT BY OUR OBEDIENCE OR OUR BAPTISM]
2. Anything else is a false, and damning gospel
IV.Conclusion
A. John’s Baptism was ONLY WHAT KIND of baptism? Water Baptism
B. True or False? Jesus NEVER Baptized with Water. TRUE
C. What IS the Gospel?
1. Good news about getting SAVED
2. And it is encapsulated in the cross!
D. How God saves sinners is described WHERE? in 1Cor 15:1-4
E. Does anyone remember the Five Undeniable Truths of the Gospel?
1. Christ (no one else, not even John the Baptist) was qualified to save by His perfect life, lived according to all the expectations of the Law – that’s why He was called the Christ
2. Christ was condemned, NOT as a sinner, but as sin itself, when He was crucified. All of us are already condemned for our own sins
3. Christ experienced death for every person.
4. Christ was completely buried with both wicked people and rich people – no difference in His death than any other death and burial
5. And Christ came back to life again three days later, as prophesied in the Scriptures in Jonah,
F. Where is baptism in any of that?
G. So, Salvation is based upon what?
1. What “I” do?
2. Or what Jesus Christ did?
John the Baptist and His Baptism – Part 3
Was Noah “saved by water”?
Mark 1:4
I. Introduction
A. We are studying through the Gospel of Mark
B. The Shortest Gospel, but packed with truths about who Jesus is and what He can do
II. Last Week - Meet John the Baptist (Mark 1:4-8)
A. So far we have met John the Baptist
1. Preparing the entire nation of Israel for their Messiah
2. By baptizing the entire nation of Israel in WATER (Mark 1:7,8; Acts 1:5)
B. And we cleared some of the confusion some people have about baptism
1. John only baptized with WATER
2. Jesus NEVER Baptized with Water
3. Jesus baptizes ONLY using two other things
a) The Holy Ghost
b) And FIRE
4. John’s baptism was ONLY for the Jews
a) IF, being baptized by John’s baptism in WATER was enough to remit sins (like so many cults say), then the Messiah was not needed! Remember this truth!
b) Because the Gospel is all about what Jesus accomplished on the Cross!
5. Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit occurs at salvation
6. And John’s baptism was replaced by believer’s baptism AFTER Christ’s resurrection
C. What IS the Gospel?
1. It is GOOD NEWS – that when we were headed for hell, someone paid the full debt payment to God for our sins, and secured our eternal salvation before God!
2. Five Undeniable truths about the Gospel… as described in 1Cor 15:1-4
a) Christ (no one else, not even John the Baptist) was qualified to save by His perfect life, lived according to all the expectations of the Law – that’s why He was called the Christ
b) Christ was condemned, NOT as a sinner, but as sin itself, when He was crucified. All of us are already condemned for our own sins
c) Christ experienced death for every person (Heb 2:9) But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
d) Christ was completely buried with both wicked people and rich people – no difference in His death than any other death and burial (Isa 53:9) And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
e) And Christ came back to life again three days later, as prophesied in the Scriptures in Jonah
f) THAT is it!
3. So, our salvation is based ONLY upon what Jesus Christ did – full stop!
III. Message – FINAL THOUGHTS ON JOHN’S BAPTISM
A. Let’s prove it one more time… Our salvation is based ONLY upon what Jesus Christ did! Not anything that we can do
1. Not received by any work we may do
a) Ephesians 2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
1) We are saved by FAITH. Period. Not by ANY work, effort at all!
2) Gal 3:2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? [WHERE IS BAPTISM IN THIS?]
3) Gal 5:1-4 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
4) The yoke of bondage is RELIGIOUS GOOD WORKS AND EXPECTATIONS
(a) Like Circumcision – because it is a good work
(b) So also is baptism – a good work, but not a saving work
(c) Only Jesus did saving works!
5) And if you are trying to DO either circumcision or baptism, you are entangled and in bondage to those things, instead of free in Christ!
6) And if you REALLY believe in either, then you probably are not saved!
2. Jesus alone suffered for sins in the place of sinful people
a) 1Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
1) Christ’s stripes are His crucifixion beatings
2) NOT BY OUR OBEDIENCE OR OUR BAPTISM like Campbellites say
b) 1Peter 3:18 For Christ 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:
c) Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
3. According to Hebrews 10:4-10, we are sanctified, cleansed, purified by the offering of the BODY of Christ, ONCE, for all people
a) Heb 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
b) Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he [THE MESSIAH] cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a [PHYSICAL] body hast thou prepared me:
c) Heb 10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
d) Heb 10:7 Then said I [Jesus TALKING], Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
e) Heb 10:8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
f) Heb 10:9 Then said he [JESUS], Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He [JESUS] taketh away the first [COVENANT], that he may establish the second.
g) Heb 10:10 By the which will [GOD’S WILL] we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
h) End of story!
4. In other words, you CANNOT have remission of sins by anything other than by believing the blood of Christ is enough. Adding to that ruins the Gospel!
B. Was Noah “saved by water”? 1Peter 3:18-22
1. This is a standard Campbellite “proof text” of salvation by
water
There is only about FIVE Scriptures that they can scrounge up to use
2. Let’s patiently take a good look at this one
3. The MESSIAH suffered for sins (1Peter 3:18) – for all sins
a) 1Peter 3:18 For Christ [WHO?] also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he [AND HE ALONE] might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh (DEATH), but quickened by the Spirit (RESURRECTED):
b) Notice what Peter wrote…
1) Christ the Messiah suffered and physically DIED to bring us to God
2) HE was put to DEATH, and HE ROSE AGAIN from the dead
3) By the power of the Spirit of God
4. While dead, the Messiah preached to people in hell (1Peter 3:19)
a) 1Peter 3:19 By which [THE SPIRIT] also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
b) Remember, Jesus said when He died, was going to be in paradise, but from there He preached across to those in the prison of hell like you see the rich man crying out in Luke 16
c) Listen to Eph 4:7-10 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity [CAPTIVE PEOPLE] captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
d) So, Who were these ‘spirits in prison’?
e) They were the souls of dead people in PRISON – hell is a holding place until the time of God’s final judgment
f) Look at the next verse…
5. Those in prison that Jesus preached to, were: (1Peter 3:20)
a) 1Peter 3:20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing…
1) Disobedient to God – ungodly, not even willing to get into the ark
2) At a time that God was patient with the world (God was 100 years waiting)
3) These prisoners were souls that had been judged by Noah’s flood – all the people who had been alive when the rain began to fall
b) WHY Jesus preached to them, I don’t know
c) But we will leave it as Jesus preaching from paradise to those in hell
6. “Eight souls were saved by water” (1Peter 3:20)
a) There it is. What every Campbellite has prayed for – a proof text!
b) 1Peter 3:20 Which 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.
c) STRANGE PHRASE
d) Were they SAVED by WATER?
e) Or by an ARK that endured the judgment of the WATER?
1) Gen 6:17 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die.
2) Gen 7:7 And Noah went in, and his sons, and his wife, and his sons' wives with him, into the ark, because of the waters of the flood.
3) Gen 7:17-22 And the flood was forty days upon the earth; and the waters increased, and bare up the ark, and it was lift up above the earth. And the waters prevailed, and were increased greatly upon the earth; and the ark went upon the face of the waters. And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered. And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man: All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died.
f) All I know is, the 8 souls (Noah, his wife, his 3 sons and their wives) were saved by being IN THE ARK, not by getting wet!
g) So, the question is, HOW were those 8 “saved by water” like Peter seems to say?
C. Explanation! (1Peter 3:21,22)
1. It is a figure of speech – not a command, or a doctrine! But an explanation of what Baptism pictures, not what it DOES!
a) 1Peter 3:21 The like figure [THE WHAT?] 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: [WHAT’S THAT DOING IN THERE?]
b) 1Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
c) Principle: Just because something LOOKS like it says such and such, does not mean that you just accept whatever you first think – test it.
1) Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
2) 2Pe 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
2. Baptism does NOT cleanse anyone of any sin
a) It is NOT a means of grace
b) Baptism is NOT the putting away of the sin and filth of the flesh, my old nature
c) Listen to what Campbellites believe
1) They believe Baptism in water is one of God's conditions of pardon from sin.
2) That baptism is essential for salvation
3) That it is IN BAPTISM that the blood of Christ remits (forgives/removes) sin.
4) Believe that water plays a part in salvation.
5) They then claim water is part of how salvation gets received by the believer.
6) Baptism is how God imparts grace to us - just like in Catholicism!!!
3. But instead shows a new believer’s good conscience towards God, to the world and especially to other Christians!
4. Baptism is a three step process
a) Going INTO the water
b) Getting UNDER the water
c) And then coming up out of the water
5. It simply symbolizes salvation – the saving of US. It is a visual representation of what Jesus did to save us
a) Of Christ’s death
b) Of Christ’s burial
c) And of Christ’s resurrection
|
In John’s Baptism |
In Noah’s Baptism |
Believer’s water baptism NOW only pictures… |
|
Jews were placed into water People only repented And only got wet No one was born again, and no one got saved yet Everyone had to look for, and then fully believe on the Messiah to save them |
The flood water DESTROYED LIFE – picture of dying under the wrath of God. The water of Noah’s flood saved NO ONE! It only KILLED. It was DEATH. It was the ARK that protected the 8 souls from the WATER. When the water finally subsided a year later, those 8 people on the Ark came out and started all over again, looking like a RESURRECTION |
Pictures Judgment and DEATH of Pictures the Judgment and DEATH of Jesus in my place on the cross. Jesus was MY Ark, hiding ME from the wrath of God! The ARK pictured Christ, the Messiah saving us from God’s judgment! Christ’s resurrection is pictured by me in baptism coming up out of the water, symbolizing ‘my’ RESURRECTION to new life. |
IV.Concluding Thoughts
A. Believer’s Baptism therefore
1. Is NOT John’s baptism – not one single person was a believer in Jesus as their Messiah when they got baptized by John the Baptist! NO ONE!
a) Jesus had not died
b) All the people had done was repent of their sins
c) But they had no Saviour yet, so no salvation
2. Is a FIGURE, A CEREMONY – symbolic. Representing what?
a) Of our salvation
b) By the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ
3. Is a PUBLIC answer of a good conscience before God of FAITH in the living resurrected Saviour, and not our own works!
4. Is a good work of a believer, but not of a sinner!
B. Do NOT Mix Baptism with Receiving Christ (John 1:10-12)
C. Beware of OTHER Gospels
1. 2Corinthians 11:3-6 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
2. Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
V. Questions
Final Thoughts About John and His Baptism
Mark 1:4-11
I. Do NOT Mix Baptism with Receiving Christ (John 1:10-12)
A. Listen to what Campbellites believe
1. They believe that Baptism in water is one of God's conditions of pardon from sin.
2. That baptism is essential for salvation
3. That it is in baptism that the blood of Christ remits (forgives and removes) sin.
4. Believe that water plays a part in salvation.
5. They then claim that water is part of how salvation gets received by the believer.
6. Baptism is how God imparts grace to us - just like in Catholicism!!!
7. Believe they can command baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 10:48), and still say, "We are saved by grace and redeemed by the blood of Christ."
B. Did you know that everyone who believes baptism is a necessary part of salvation firmly believes they must keep God’s commandments to actually STAY saved?
C. Facts:
1. You do NOT believe the Gospel AND get baptized to experience the promise of remitted sins!
2. You just believe and receive without any work or water at all
3. After you Believe the Gospel, you THEN get Baptized – not simultaneously
a) Remission does NOT happen at the same time because BAPTISM is not part of salvation from sin.
b) It is always a person HEARS the Gospel, understands it, begins to fear God, repents, believes the good news of forgiveness at Christ’s expense, receives the messiah into their heart, and THEN gets baptized AFTER their sins have been remitted!
c) Every Campbellite loves Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized”
1) Read the context (Mark 16:15-18)
(a) Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
(b) Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is [THEN] baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
(c) Mar 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
(d) Mar 16:18 They 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.
2) No Campbellite believes in believing verses 17 and 18!!!
(a) casting out devils
(b) Speaking with new tongues
(c) taking up serpents and not being hurt
(d) drinking ANY deadly thing and not dying
(e) And miraculously laying hands on the sick and healing them
3) Why don’t they accept the whole package???
4. Acts 8:36-38
a) Act 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
b) Act 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
c) Act 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
5. Acts 18:8 “and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”
6. Even Acts 2:38
D. Some ask, Why WAIT to baptism someone?
1. Good question
2. But we Bible believers have seen enough abuse of ‘baptism’ that we make sure people UNDERSTAND that baptism, communion, church membership is NOT part of salvation – so we are kind of slow to baptize until we make sure they have actually believed the Gospel, and are ready to commit to following Christ!
3. But NO ONE should be slow to WANT to be baptized!
II. Warnings about OTHER Gospels
A. The individual is responsible directly to God for his beliefs (Rom 14:12) So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
B. You had better know the meaning and scope of the Gospel!
C. God will hold him responsible only to believe what is taught in Scripture (Isa 8:20)
D. 1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1. Spirits affect your thinking
2. TEST what you are thinking and believing by the Scriptures – and let other men help you test what you are thinking – peer review!
E. 2Peter 1:20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
F. Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
1. NOTICE it is THE Gospel
2. ONE Gospel
G. 2Corinthians 11:3-6 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
1. Simplicity in CHRIST – in the Messiah
2. People preach ANOTHER Jesus
3. Another SPIRIT
4. And another Gospel
5. Either as individual or all three can be perverted
H. Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
1. There are an infinite number of man-made doctrines an even Gospels of how to be saved
2. Infant Baptism
3. Sprinkling baptism – inadequate picture of CHRIST’S work (Rom 6:4)
4. “Being baptized is GOD's designated means of a person accepting the free gift of salvation that is offered to them”
I. Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
1. The Gospel is the GRACE of God – a GIFT to sinners
2. Any other Gospel is
a) NOT another Gospel – there are not “other” Gospels
b) A Perversion of the Gospel – just as wicked as the perversion of sex and marriage
c) Anything that was not already established by Paul and the Apostles – NOT by John the Baptist
d) Reason to call anyone who preaches another gospel as accursed - damned