Posted on 10/23/2013 11:37:33 AM PDT by pastorbillrandles
And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? (Acts 8:30-34)
Philip had been told by an Angel to “join a chariot” on the desert road . This meant that he ran alongside the chariot of the high Ethiopian official, as the man was reading his recently purchased scroll of the prophet Isaiah.
The Ethiopian just happened to have come to the fourth Servant song in Isaiah, chapter 52:13-53:12
Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.
Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
…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.
…He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth…
“Do you understand what you are reading”? ,asked Philip.
“How can I unless someone teaches me?”, answered the Ethiopian, who then invited Philip to come up into the chariot to teach Him.
Philip preached the crucified Christ, from the text of Isaiah, who lived 700 years before Jesus came, yet described in detail the cross and it’s meaning. We can learn something from this story as to how to witness to those God puts in our path.
*Philip preached from Prophecy – An amazing sign of the veracity of the Bible is the fact that Jesus came in fulfillment of the prophets of scripture. God himself points to prophecy as being among His credentials ,
…I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:(Isaiah 46:9-10)
* Philip preached Christ crucified in the light of scripture- He proclaimed that Jesus was the man spoken of by Isaiah, the vicarious sufferer, despised and rejected by men, bearing the transgression of us all, unto God’s judgment.
* Philip preached the fall of man and the guilt of sin - 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.(vs 6)
One couldn’t expound on this theme without the mention of the fact that man is lost, gone astray, guilty of sin, transgression and iniquity, liable to wrath, estranged from God.
* He preached Jesus as the substitute for us in Divine judgment – As the chapter makes clear, It was the Lord Himself who laid upon Him the iniquity of us all, the chastisement that bought us peace (with God) fell upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.
* He proclaimed the vindication and glory of Jesus – Philip proclaimed from Isaiah the glorious outcome of the mysterious suffering servant,
Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.(Is 52:12)
…when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.(Isaiah 53:10-11)
By this Divine report, the Ethiopian was brought into repentance and saving faith, peace with God, forgiveness of sins, and the “gift of righteousness” with God! Making a simple confession of faith in Jesus, he received the gift of eternal life.
We know he believed , because He requested baptism, to which Phillip only required sincere belief,
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. 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, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.(Acts 8:37-39)
How does this chapter of the Bible end? The way the whole story will end, with a Rapture.It is like a microcosm of the future of the whole church history.
It begins with a persecution and scattering of the newly founded church, it proceeds onto the mission field, where “signs wonders and gifts of the spirit” confirm the preaching of the gospel.
Yet the word of the Lord is resisted by false wonder workers, false converts,”great men” who seduce and transfix the people, and who seek to make merchandise of God’s people, such as Simon Magnus. But always the truth of God prevails.
Spirit led conversions will occur which affect whole people groups, there has been an African church ever since the Ethiopian received the Word of the Lord.
Finally it all ends the way we expect it to end, Philip went up in a rapture!
You can believe as you will. You can read INTO Scripture all that you want it to say. God says what He means and means what He says. And He doesn't give coded meanings. One Baptism in the dispensation means what it says: ONE baptism. Not water AND the Holy Spirit. That's two.
Jesus Christ saves, one must be “in Christ” to be saved.
The Bible states we are baptized into Christ. The Bible is quite clear baptism is for:
1. remission of sins
2. receiving the Holy Spirit
3. being placed into Christ.
False teachers have arisen and have tried to separate faith from baptism. False teachers have arisen that teach if you call on the name of Jesus you will be saved. What does the Bible say about “calling on the name of Jesus”?
Acts 22:16 Ananias is addressing Paul, “and now why do you wait? rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, CALLING ON HIS NAME”
Please note this is the same Paul that false teachers claim did not preach baptismal regeneration since he wrote Jesus did not send him to baptize. Clearly Paul was saying anyone can baptize, and everyone who accepted Paul’s message was baptized. Paul was one of the few in world at that time that was qualified to preach the Gospel.
The devil does hate baptismal regeneration.
You need to read up on Paul and his commission. Paul did indeed baptize some. He also circumcised some. Does that mean you are circumcised today? He also states that he’s glad he baptized so few. If he was preaching the same Kingdom Gospel as Peter and the 11, he was out of the will of God. For Mark 16 states EMPHATICALLY that baptism is for the remission of sins. That is the CORE of the kingdom gospel. If Paul states he was not sent to baptize, but to preach the gospel, and he does NOT perform the central core of that gospel on everyone he preaches to, then he isn’t preaching the Kingdom Gospel, is he? BTW: WHY do you think Paul circumcised some? Ever thought of that??
Just wanted to point out that in verse 21 Peter said, "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Also, the assembly Peter was speaking to, professed their belief in Messiah by asking what they should do next:
Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
see Acts 22:16 to see what “calling on the name of the Lord” means.
for 1,500 years after Jesus left this earth, the Church taught baptismal regeneration because this was the faith it received from the Apostles. beginning in the 16th century, false teachers arose and taught a new gospel.
As has just been mentioned....
Acts 22:16
New International Version (NIV)
16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’
So. While you call upon the name of the Lord - Do not neglect to be baptized and wash your sins away.
>>>>>>>>Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” <<<<<<<<<<
I think you know - clearly - what Peter told them to do. (v38) And if Christ commanded Peter to baptize and Peter commands repentence and baptism - then you know without a shadow of a doubt - that water baptism is no option.
maybe someone would be so kind to tell me what baptism is for?
i have heard some say it’s a first act of obedience. i asked for chapter and verse - none are ever provided.
i have heard other say it’s a picture of the salvation which has already happened. i asked for chapter and verse - none are ever provided.
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
As any devout man would suggest...
i won’t waste my time listening to someone who believes we must keep the 7th day sabbath and rejects the Trinity.
thanks anyway.
Well, you can ignore that which you disagree with and still learn all you wish to know about the Mikveh.
Corrected it for you...
Sure, but for some who call upon the Lord during the final moments of life and etc., it isn't possible. In every instance in scripture, acceptance/belief comes before baptism - not the other way around - No?
"Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matt. 3:2). This message was first proclaimed to ISRAEL by John the Baptist and was later taken up by Jesus Christ(Matt. 4:17) and His twelve apostles(Matt.10:5-7). The proclamation of this message and its results are what the "Four Gospels" record.
The fact that this kingdom was now proclaimed "at hand" indicates that it had been predicted and expected. Under the Old Covenant God had promised:
"Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: And ye shall be unto Me A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS, AND AN HOLY NATION. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL(Ex. 19:5,6).
Until they DID obey God's voice, only CERTAIN people in ISRAEL were set apart as PRIESTS, but in connection with the coming of Messiah and the CONVERSION OF ALL ISRAEL, God later promised that they would indeed become a WHOLE NATION OF PRIESTS THROUGH WHOM THE GENTILES SHOULD APPROACH GOD:
"But Ye shall be named the PRIESTS OF THE LORD: Men shall call you the MINISTERS OF OUR GOD..."(Isa. 61:6).
The FIRST RITE to be performed at the INDUCTION OF THE PRIEST into his office was his WASHING WITH WATER(Ex. 29:4). This spoke of his NEED OF CLEANSING BEFORE APPROACHING THE PRESENCE OF GOD. Hence, as John proclaimed the kingdom at hand, in which ALL ISRAEL SHOULD STAND BEFORE GOD AS PRIESTS, he demanded repentance and water baptism for the remission of sins(Mark 1:4). Under the MOSIAC LAW, the priests and those ceremonially "unclean" were both washed, or baptized. Thus under the KINGDOM PROGRAM the Jews and the "unclean" Gentiles alike had to be baptized(Matt. 28:19).
John's baptism was associated with the manifestation of Christ to Israel."And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water"(John 1:31). John baptized the people "for the remission of sins". This was not changed after the resurrection of Christ, for at Pentecost Peter offered Christ's return and the times of refreshing to ISRAEL, again calling upon them to "repent and be baptized...for the remission of sins"(Acts2:38). This was in strict obedience to the COMMISSION given to him BY THE RISEN LORD, in which it was expressly stated that "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved"(Mark 16:16).
The departure from this Kingdom program came with Israel's REJECTION of her risen Messiah and the raising up of Paul to proclaim THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD. But it was NOT discontinued all at once. Even after the raising up of Paul God STILL continued for SOME TIME to stretch forth His hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people(Rom.10:21). This departure, however, did NOT begin until AFTER Saul's conversion. Then Peter was sent to the first Gentile family only to have his sermon interrupted while, to the astonishment of His companions, these Gentiles were saved and received the Holy Spirit APART from water baptism(Acts10:44-46). True, Peter THEN baptized them(Acts10:47) to keep the record straight, but the departure from the program of the "great commission" is clear. The practice of water baptism continued for some time after this, WHILE CHRIST WAS STILL BEING MADE MANIFEST TO ISRAEL.
But, in the ministry of Paul, with which the REST OF ACTS IS CONCERNED, water baptism IS NEVER REQUIRED FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS. Obviously then, another commission was replacing that given to Peter and the 11 before Christ's ascension.
It is significant that Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles and minister of the body of Christ NEVER ONCE, IN ANY OF HIS LETTERS, COMMANDS OR EVEN EXHORTS US TO BE BAPTIZED WITH WATER.
You would think that if it were still the mechanism for the remission of sins, Paul SURELY would have demanded it. Otherwise, all who heard him would have walked away unsaved, having not been baptized.
Here. Here are some truths to counter your erroneous ideas.
[In this lesson, we will examine what Paul taught in his epistles
regarding baptism. Let's start with by noticing what he said about
baptism...]
I. IN HIS EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS
A. BAPTISM IS A BURIAL AND RESURRECTION WITH CHRIST...
1. It is a baptism into the death of Christ - Ro 6:3
2. It is a burial with Christ into death (His death, we are
crucified with Him!) - Ro 6:4
3. It is done in order that we might walk in newness of life
- Ro 6:4-5
4. It involves crucifying the old man, that the body of sin may
be destroyed - Ro 6:6
6. It thereby frees us from sin as we die to sin, that we might
live with Christ - Ro 6:7-11
B. NOTE CAREFULLY...
1. Paul does not say that baptism "symbolizes things which had
already occurred"
a. Many say this is the purpose or design of baptism, often
quoting this passage
b. But read the passage carefully; Paul says no such thing!
2. But rather, Paul describes baptism into Christ as WHEN such
things occur
a. We were buried with Him "through baptism into death" -
Ro 6:4
b. It is in baptism we are buried with Christ into death (His
death); we thereby die to sin in baptism
c. We were buried with Him, why? "That just as Christ was
raised...even so we also should walk in newness of life"
- Ro 6:4
d. We are baptized in order to rise to walk in newness of life
just as Christ did!
3. Note also Paul's preface to these remarks: "as many as were
baptized into Christ Jesus were..."
a. What blessings he describes pertain only to those who had
been baptized!
b. What of those not baptized? The blessings described would
not apply!
II. IN HIS EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS
A. BAPTISM IS HOW WE PUT ON CHRIST...
1. From Ga 3:26-27 we learn that baptism is involved in the
process of becoming sons of God by faith in Christ Jesus
2. The "for" beginning verse 27 begins an explanation as to HOW
we become sons of God through faith
3. Baptism is therefore the means by which we "put on Christ",
and become sons of God!
B. NOTE CAREFULLY...
1. Paul wrote: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ
have put on..."
a. "For as many" means no more or no less
b. Only those who have been baptized into Christ have really
received Christ into their lives!
2. Many teach "receive Jesus Christ by saying the sinner's
prayer..."
a. But the Bible nowhere teaches that this is how one
"receives Christ"
b. Rather, one "puts on" (or receives) Christ when they are
baptized into Christ!
III. IN HIS EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS
A. BAPTISM IS A WORK OF GOD...
1. A "spiritual circumcision" in which sins are "cut away"
- Col 2:11
2. A burial with Christ, and also a resurrection with Him
- Col 2:12
3. Made effective "through faith in the working of God" - Col 2:12
4. In which GOD makes us "alive together with Him, having
forgiven you all trespasses" - Col 2:13
B. NOTE CAREFULLY...
1. Here we learn that baptism is a work of God, not man
a. Just as it was God who raised Jesus, so it is He who makes
us alive, having forgiven our sins! - Col 2:13
b. Our part is "faith in the working of God" as we are buried
with Christ in baptism - Col 2:12
2. God is the "Great Physician", who is cutting away our sins
(through the blood of Christ)
a. We are simply the patient, who humbly submits in faith to
the surgeon's scalpel
b. He is the One who makes us alive, that we might rise to
walk in newness of life
IV. IN HIS EPISTLE TO TITUS
A. BAPTISM IS A "WASHING" AND "REGENERATION"...
1. Is Paul talking about baptism in Tit 3:5?
a. The figure "washing" certainly alludes to the baptismal
waters
b. We have already seen where in baptism we are:
1) Raised to walk in newness of life - Ro 6:4
2) Made alive by God - Col 2:12-13
-- Does this not suggest a "washing of regeneration..."?
c. Martin Luther and many others understood this verse to
refer to baptism
2. Thus God saves us in baptism:
a. It is a "washing of regeneration" - a washing in we are
reborn
b. It is a "renewing of the Holy Spirit" - a renewal in which
the Spirit is at work
-- Just as Jesus said: "...unless one is born of water and
the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." - Jn 3:5
CONCLUSION
1. Paul taught that baptism is...
a. A burial into the death of Christ
b. How we die to sin as we are crucified with Him
c. A resurrection with Christ so we can rise to walk in newness of
life
d. A putting on Christ, thereby becoming a child of God
e. A spiritual circumcision in which sins are cut away
f. The working of God, whereby we are buried with Christ, made alive
as our sins are forgiven, and then raised with Him
g. An act of God's grace and mercy, in which we experience a washing
of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit
-- If all these things when one is baptized, how can anyone say that
it is not necessary?
2. Sadly, many who say it is NOT necessary...
a. Misunderstand those who say it is necessary
1) Thinking that they believe in salvation by works
2) When they truly believe in salvation by grace through faith!
b. Misunderstand Martin Luther
1) Whose coined phrased "saved by faith only" they themselves use
so often
2) When he differs with them on the necessity of baptism
c. Misunderstand the apostle Paul
1) Having him say things about the purpose of baptism he does not
say
2) Failing to appreciate what he clearly teaches about baptism
-- All this, in their zeal to oppose what they mistakenly view as
works-salvation!
Really? Then what was that commission? And why were Peter and the other Apostles NOT following that commission? Why was (according to you) only Paul disregarding the Great Commission of Mt. 28:16?
And finally - Please provide Book Chapter Verse for that commission.
Apprarently many have taken on Paul’s messages and have twisted them to suit there own mand made doctrines.
Here is another comment many make:
Wasn’t Paul Sent To Preach, Not Baptize?
And here is a simple explanation that - once again - SUPPOPRTS the necessity of Baptism.
http://executableoutlines.com/ba/ba_07.htm
I’ll not post the entire lesson - but just the conclusion. You may feel free to click the link and study and learn more salient points about Paul’s message to the church at Corinth.
CONCLUSION
1. When one considers all the evidence we have about the situation at
Corinth, we learn...
a. That many were baptized as a result of Paul’s preaching - Ac 18:8
b. Paul was glad that he did not personally baptize many of them,
because of the problem that later arose in Corinth - 1Co 1:14-15
2. In the passage so many use to say that baptism is not important...
a. Paul was simply emphasizing his role as an apostle - 1Co 1:17
b. Paul used reasoning which implies the necessity of baptism (to be
called after Christ, one must be baptized into the name of
Christ) - 1Co 1:13
maybe someone would be so kind to tell me what baptism is for?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you’ve been paying attention to the links I’ve been posting, you’ll see they come from http://executableoutlines.com/home.htm
Mark A. Copeland is a Minister of the Gospel and has over 1700 sermons and lessonns on - well EVERYTHING related to Scripture. I encourage you - as does he - to use his outlines in your personal studies and in teaching others.
Anyway - THIS. This is the one of the best study guides out there on the subject of Baptism. 45 pages. Covers all the bases.
Baptism - A Very Special Study.
http://executableoutlines.com/pdf/ba_so.pdf
"NOW I say that Jesus Christ WAS a minister of the CIRCUMCISION(the HEBREW NATION) for the TRUTH of God, to CONFIRM THE PROMISES MADE UNTO THE FATHERS: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy; as it is written..."(Rom. 15:8,9).
The gospel of the grace of God, AKA the gospel of the UNcircumcision (Gal.chapter 2) is DIFFERENT than the gospel of the circumcision. Meaning, they are NOT THE SAME. This was given to Paul, by direct revelationS from the risen Christ. And so, superceded that of the 12. The gospel of the UNcircumcision is based on GRACE ALONE, NOT on COVENANTS OR PROMISES. THESE messages were previously KEPT SECRET, NOT foretold. They had NO relation to ordinances or signs. They were first committed to the apostle Paul. He refers to his message as MY GOSPEL(Rom. 2:16;16:25;2 Tim. 2:8).
The gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of the circumcision were given to Peter and the 11, for the nation Israel FIRST. BOth were based on COVENANTS. Both were related to PROPHECY. Both were bound up with ORDINANCES AND SIGNS. CIRCUMCISION was the SIGN OF THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT(Gen. 17:11). WATER BAPTISM WAS THE SIGN OF THE DAVIDIC COVENANT(Ex. 29:4, cf. Ex. 19:5,6; Isa. 61:6, Matt. 3:1-6).
Still can't see the DIFFERENCES?
Uh, so where's Paul's throne? If he was preaching the same gospel and had the same commission(Mark 16) as the twelve, why isn't a throne provided for him?
Hey, you can knock yourself out getting baptized daily for remission of your sins, whatever you think is right. But know this: if you believe that water baptism is FOR the remission of sins, and water baptism is part of the Law, then you are putting yourself UNDER THE LAW. If so, you are "a debtor to do the whole law" (Gal. 5:3). And since "by the WORKS OF THE LAW SHALL NO FLESH BE JUSTIFIED"(Gal. 2:16b), you are lost or deceived. Wet, but deceived.
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