Water Baptism is a Symbol....Of Ignorance!!!!

If that doesn't get your attention, then I don't know what will. How many times have you heard or even said it yourself..."water baptism is a symbol or picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ". How about this one..."we are commanded to follow Jesus in believers baptism"? ...or "it is an outward expression of an inward change". That all sounds good doesn't it? The only problem with any of that is...It's not Bible! Now before you get all bent out of shape ready to blast me saying water baptism is indeed Biblical and I can give you the verses proving it, let me remind you , there is more than one baptism in the Bible. Not only is there more than one baptism in the Bible, there are many baptisms which do NOT have included in them the need or mention of water.

When people hear the word baptism, they automatically associate that with a water ceremony rather than allowing the Bible to define the terms.For those that declare water baptism is the picture of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, please consider this, The disciples in the Old Testament books Mathew, Mark, Luke and John were baptizing people left and right for 3 years before Christ began to tell them he would suffer many things , be put to death, and raise again the 3rd day. The disciples reaction is telling of their ability to see the picture in water baptism. It must have been a pretty lousy picture because none of the disciples could see it.

Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

The best definition you will ever get for the word baptism is right here...."to be immersed for the sake of identification".Have you ever been told that Jesus was baptized in water to be our example? showing us how it is done. Where do folks get that because that isn't what the Bible has to say. Let's take a look.

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.

John 1:30 This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me.

John 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

There it is...John baptized Jesus in water....function....to make Christ manifest to Israel. In other words...to Identify Jesus Christ with unbelieving Israel. Immersed for the sake of identification! Also note, the verse indicates the use of water, that is important as we will see later.In this next verse we see not one, but 3 different baptisms mentioned but only one involves water.

Matthew 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:

Baptise WITH water, baptize WITH the Holy Ghost, baptize WITH fire. 3 uniquely different baptisms with 3 unique functions and 3 unique results. One wet, three dry. If it's dry, let's believe the Bible it keep it dry, ok?

I say this without fear of contradiction, most church going people who claim to be saved have no idea that Jesus Christ was baptized twice. Christ speaks of His second baptism in Mark 10 and Mathew 20, but let's see it in Luke 12.

Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

Jesus was speaking concerning His death as a baptism. And I know you know, Jesus did not drown in a river or tank of water, He died on Calvary's cross. Immersed into death for the sake of identification !

This is in no way will be an exhaustive study on baptisms being there are 12 different baptisms having different functions and results, so let's move on to where we live, in the dispensation of the Grace of God. In Ephesians chapter 4, Paul tells us in THIS present dispensing of information to the church, the body of Christ, there is but ONE baptism that has any function and result.

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

Obviously, there are many baptisms in the Bible using different means, different functions and different results. The point Paul is making is there is only one baptism that we have association with in this present dispensation of the Grace of God. What is this ONE baptism Paul speaks of?,,,could it be WITH water?..how about WITH fire?..or WITH the Holy Ghost?? or could it be BY the Holy Ghost into the body of Christ as Paul declares in 1st Corinthians chapter 12?

1 Corinthians 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.

This is the same baptism Paul speaks of in Romans 6 declaring we are baptized into Christ's death.

Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Romans 6:4 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.

Only once a person is baptized into Christ BY the Holy Spirit can he say what Paul says in Galatians chapter 2.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

The Holy Spirit baptizes us that trust the Gospel of the Grace of God into the Lord's body identifying us with that death, hence, we are cruciufied with Christ!! No water necessary! Let's see it again.

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Now if you think water baptism is putting on Christ....do not towel off Christ when you come out. Ok, I wrote that with my tongue in my cheek, but hopefully you get what I'm trying to communicate here. To wrap this up, let's look at what Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians chapter 1.

1 Corinthians 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.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

The efficacy of the cross and the making of none effect through water baptism. Christ sent Paul NOT to baptize for it would cause confusion as is it has so obviously done in the so called church machinery for so long. When asking folks that attend church every weekend , "how do you know you are saved?", many of the responses involve "I was baptized". This is more than just a sad state of affairs, it is disgusting! Shame on pastors and preachers who demand people to be water baptized in order to join the church, sing in the choir, teach Sunday school...they make the cross of Christ of none effect. Isn't it funny though, those same preachers and pastors will allow you to "tithe" if you aren't water baptized???