This study was first taught on February 5, 2017

Topic: The Doctrine of Baptisms_1: Is John’s Baptism Still Relevant Today?

(use the audio to study)

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Background
When we last met, we looked at the “Fundamentals for Waiting for The Second Coming” in which we noted that the admonition, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall”, in application, is a warning to us—those who believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Saviour; and it is akin to the warning by the Lord, “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” (Matthew 25:13).

An entire generation of Israel of old, save two (Caleb and Joshua), failed to enter the Promised Land because they had erroneously thought that entering therein was a matter of course. However, 1 Corinthians 10:1-12 tells us that although they were delivered from the bondage of Egypt (God’s deliverance); crossed the Red Sea on dry ground (God’s way of escape and judgment of Egypt); experienced the miracle of manna six days a week, for forty years (God’s provision); drank water brought forth from the rock (which was Christ); were led by a pillar of cloud by day, and surrounded by fire at night (God’s leading, presence and protection); and so on, yet many of them died off in the wilderness, never entering the Promised Land, to which God was leading them, because they engaged in all manner of fleshly and sinful conduct, and, they did not seek to know God intimately. Today, we see a similar trend with many so-called believers in Christ taking for granted the grace of God, and presuming that regardless of how they live here on earth, they will enter heaven. But in making it clear that not all who came out of Egypt entered the Promised Land; God is making it clear to us that not all who have tasted of His goodness will enter heaven—if they take His grace for granted and treat it with levity they will not benefit from the blessing of the Second Coming, which is, entering heaven, and living eternally with God!

Indeed, as qualification for being caught up at the Second Coming and entering heaven, many people are trusting in their church attendance; their preaching and serving in church; their having worked miracles and casting out demons; and, even their relationship with their pastors and General Overseers. Nothing can be further from the truth! The reality is that heaven’s gate will be shut against many Christians, going by the way they are living now.

If your waiting for the Second Coming of the Lord is to be productive, therefore, certain fundamentals must be present in your own life: (a) you must not love yourself or your life; (b) you must not love the world or the things of the world; and, (c) you must be careful not to become spiritually lethargic and complacent. For instance, Peter, denied the Lord, because he was not prepared to die—he loved his life! Similarly, Demas loved this world so much, he deserted his post and went to Thessalonica for personal carnal benefits. In the same vein, Aaron, and Israel’s leaders/elders in the wilderness, were so spiritually insensitive and complacent that they got a whole nation to engage in idolatry, revelries, and wantonness (corruption, debauchery, decadence, depravity, evil, immorality, lewdness, licentiousness, shamelessness), and the like. Unless we are in a serious and intimate relationship with God, the Father, and Jesus Christ, the Son, we shall likewise end up as did Israel of old, and be shut out of heaven! We must therefore, wake up from our slumber; shun fleshly and worldly lusts which war against our souls; and, turn to God in faith, and do His Will!

Scripture Text(s)
Acts 1:4-5; Hebrews 5:12-14; 6:1-2
The fifth verse of our first scripture text, mentions two baptisms, and the third text, implies that there is more than one baptism. This matter of baptisms will form our discussion over the next few weeks, as the Lord helps us.
In Hebrews 6:2, “the doctrine of baptisms” expresses the understanding of the Hebrews at the time, but speaks of a spiritual truth, which is beyond what they called ‘baptism’—washing. Simply, “The Doctrine of Baptisms” as per our discussion, refers to the precepts or God’s instructions regarding baptisms, which is more than ‘washings’. In engaging in this subject matter today, we shall discuss baptism broadly, and, we will see that John’s baptism is no longer relevant as practiced then, today!
Mark 7:1-9; 1 Peter 3:17-21; 1 Corinthians 10:2; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-4; Luke 1:35; Acts 19:1-6 (LB); Matthew 3:5-11; Luke 3:7-18, 21-22; John 1:19-28, 29-34.

Conclusion
The understanding of the Jews in the Early Church was that baptism could be likened to what they were doing in their ceremonial washings before eating, after a day’s work, and even before prayers. But far from just being a ceremonial practice of washings, baptism is much more. For one, it is not in all instances that baptism has water as a medium of baptism. Secondly, baptism is a matter of faith, for the medium of baptism is not usually water, or visible. Thirdly, even where water is the medium of baptism, the water is nothing more than a means, and does not bring about salvation!

In general, there are certain parameters that make a baptism, a baptism, and these are: the baptizer—the one who dips the person to be baptized into the medium of baptism—who is divinely chosen; the baptized—the person to be baptized—who must be prepared a priori; the medium of baptism—not necessarily water; the purpose of the baptism—generally, it has to do with Christ; the pre-condition of baptism—you must first be born again; and, the confession for the baptism—simply put, the declaration being made at the baptism. In following these parameters, John’s baptism, which was really a preparation for the baptized to receive Christ, and all that He brings, is not one of the baptisms that Christians engage in today; though its significance for Christianity is unchallengeable—the confession of sins, leading to repentance! John’s baptism also, served a major purpose—it was the means for John the Baptist to be able to identify and reveal to Israel, at the time, Who the coming Messiah is!

Today, we must understand that baptisms—for there are more than one—play a major role in bringing the believer in Christ to the place of confessing Christ, not just for the sake of making a confession or declaration, but rather for identifying oneself with Christ—in character, experience, and devotion and consecration to God! If the baptisms you have engaged in have not achieved these, and you are still living in sin, or living for yourself, or living for this world, then, you my friend, are still a sinner, and not of Christ—for, baptisms are about Christ and the Church!

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