The Wonderful Plan of God: Part 1

The Holy Bible is an amazingly unified text that encompasses the whole plan of God to bring salvation to man 
through Jesus Christ and complete all of history in our Savior (Ephesians 1:10). Knowing the plan of God helps us realize the meticulous detail by which He brought us eternal life through His wisdom, knowledge and love, for his good pleasure and praise (Ephesians 1:4-8).

 

Key to this plan is:

• The structural elements to bring salvation.
• The teaching elements to allow us to recognize the Savior.

 

Both are detailed below in order of the scriptures. The following is an overview and not an exhaustive study.

 

Progression of the plan of God

 

Adam and Eve (Genesis 2-3) – The sin in the Garden of Eden completely corrupted the mind and physical being of man and separated him from God (Romans 5:12-14). God punished Adam and Eve for their disobedience (Genesis 3:16-19).

·      Adam is a type of Christ in that, as one man, brought death and disobedience into the world while through one man, Jesus Christ brought grace and salvation to the world (Rom. 5:15-21)

·      Key Messianic prophecy (Genesis 3:15) – God first promised a solution to the sin problem created by Adam’s fall by indicating that Eve’s seed would defeat the serpent (Satan) who caused the transgression in the garden.

 

Cain and Abel (Genesis 4) – Eve hoped the birth of her son, Cain (Genesis 4:1) would provide the holy man God promised in Genesis 3:15. Cain, unfortunately, proved to be a man of sin, andkilled his brother Abel because he offered a more acceptable sacrifice. Therefore, God banished Cain. From this time onwards begin the threads of two separate societies, one from Cain that hates God and embraces sin versus the people of God’s choosing who love and obey Him. Over time, the sons of God were overtaken by wicked men and the world was filled with sin (Genesis 6:1-6).

 

Noah (Genesis 6-9) – Because of so much sin in the world, God sent His wrath to destroyed mankind in the great flood, except for righteous Noah and his immediate family whom he graciously saved in the ark. Noah typed (foreshadowed) Christ in that:

·      He was chosen by God.

·      He built the ark out of obedience in faith.

·      The end (the beginning of the flood) came suddenly at an unknown time.

·      The chosen were saved from God’s wrath.

 

After Noah God gave man a third opportunity to be obedient to God.

·      Key Messianic prophecy (Genesis 9:25-27) – This verse states that the Messiah would come from the line of Shem, indicating the land of Palestine.

·      Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) – After Noah, over time people divided into 70 countries. However, in the land of Babylon the Tower of Babel was created to replace and resist God. Babylon came to represent in scripture a system of government that is anti-God and will ultimately be destroyed in the tribulation (Revelation 17 - 18). God punished man for his sin by confusing the languages to inhibit their ability to work together to resist Him.

 

Abraham (Genesis 11:30 through Genesis 25:11), a new plan by means of Israel – Abraham is a central figure in scripture. God chose Abraham to leave Ur of the Chaldees, which he did by faith, coming to Palestine at God’s direction. Abraham received the first major covenant from God (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-5). 

 

The Abrahamic Covenant consists of three promises which are:

·      Isaac, Abraham’s son – He was significant because Abraham and his wife Sarah were too old to bear children and so believing God’s promise of a son was a test of faith which Abraham passed (Genesis 15:1-6). The provision of a son was a sign to Abraham of God’s faithfulness to complete the remaining two promises which would not be fulfilled in his lifetime.

·      A blessing to all nations – This is a promise of Messiah coming from Abraham’s seed (Galatians 3:16) through Isaac (Genesis 21:12; Romans 9:7; Galatians 4:28: Hebrews 11:18). Isaac was a type of Christ whom God ordered Abraham to sacrifice as his only begotten son. God saved Isaac from sacrifice by providing a ram in his place (Genesis 22:1-18). It is through Isaac that the spiritual blessings of Messiah come (Genesis 21:12; Romans 9:7; Hebrews 11:18).

·      A founder of a great nation – This is Israel, and the promise comes through Abraham’s grandson Jacob to the ‘seed after you’ (generations following Jacob). It was confirmed by the sign of circumcision in (Genesis 17:7-14; Psalm 105:6).

·      Key Messianic prophecy (Genesis 49:10) – When Jacob gave blessings to his sons he further identified the coming Messiah as a king from Judah.

 

The Abrahamic covenant represents in essence the cornerstone of scripture which lays out the purpose of the Bible to the Book of Revelation consisting of:

·      The plan of God to salvation through Jesus Christ and to conclude the history of the whole world in Him at His second coming.

·      The provision of Israel to provide Messiah and the fulfillment of God's promises to them at Christ’s return and the establishment of His kingdom.

 

We have a great God who has given us a wonderful plan for salvation and to sum up all things on the earth and in heaven for eternity in Christ (Ephesians 1:10)!

 

Thank you for reading my blog. Join the next time as we continue this journey on the plan of God and events following Abraham. 

 

Join us again next time and share this important blog with your friends and family!

 

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

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Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

 

Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice

 

Welcome back to my blog and thank you for visiting. Today's exciting topic is communion.

Communion is a common sacrament of the church. The number and the form of the sacraments in the church are quite controversial and are in part what define church denominations. Sacraments generally are meant to convey a blessing on the believer or allow them to show their dedication to Christ. Unfortunately, a full discussion of individual denominational beliefs is beyond the scope of this blog. 

 

Communion, however, is perhaps the best attested sacrament in the Bible and importantly commemorates the precious sacrifice of Christ on the cross.Nonetheless, communion can be a very controversial subject and people's beliefs can often be based on feelings or tradition. However, as Bible based Christians, we consider 1st the scriptures to differentiate what the epistles say to the church about communion without relying on opinion or tradition. Further reading is referenced below (Ryrie CC. Basic theology: A popular systematic guide to understanding biblical truth).

 

·      Communion in the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 11:24-27; Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:15-20; John 6:48-58) – Communion, along with water baptism, appear to be the most common sacraments celebrated by the local church. How it is celebrated,who serves it, its frequency, its location, setting and the precise elements served, vary widely across denominations. 

 

Importantly, scripture allows great freedom in how churches or individuals celebrate communion. The scriptures do not even indicate that communion must be limited to a church service although that is now tradition. The apostle Paul only comments specifically on a unworthy communion celebration in the Corinthianschurch (1 Corinthians 11:17-34).

 

·      Significance of communion - The rite is based on the last supper of Christ, when after the Passover meal, He broke the bread and poured wine to remember His upcoming sacrifice upon the cross for sins and our salvation at His coming again. Christ further explains in the Gospel of John that we must eat His flesh and drink is blood to be saved (John 6:48-58).This passage also appears reflected in the communion meal.

 

·      Meaning of the elements - These two elements are typed in the Old Testament, the wine by the sprinkling of blood on the mercy seat at the Day of Atonement for the coverage of sins (Leviticus 23:7-8). The bread is typed by the manna given daily by God that sustained the Israelites in the desert (Exodus 16; John 6:48-58).

o   The wine – The wine represents Christ’s blood spilt on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. By drinking the wine, we remember that He is a fully sufficient sacrifice for our sins as a pure and perfect savior.

o  The bread – This represents His broken body on the cross by which took the punishment for our sins. By eating the bread, we remember His substitutionary death for us and His glorious resurrection and our accompanying regeneration to new life, access to God and salvation (John 6:48-58; Hebrews 10:19-20). Indeed, Christ recognized the resurrection during the communion meal by saying to celebrate the bread and the wine until He comes again, indicatingthere must be a resurrection! 

 

Although some denominations believe (i.e., Catholic, transubstantiation) that our Savior is actually Himself present in the elements of the communion meal there is no evidence in scripture to indicate this claim.

 

God graciously has given us a beautiful remembrance of His gracious death upon the cross and life-giving resurrection for our salvation in the rite of communion. We should remember His death and resurrection frequently in gratitude and corresponding service (Philippians 2:12; Romans 12:1).

 

Next time we will discuss vital topics of the Christian life!

 

Join us again next time and share this important blog with your friends and family!

 

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email                        info@teleiosresearch.com

Website                  http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook               https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram              https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

Youtube                 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

 

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

 

Hermeneutics - How to Interpret Scripture: Part 2

 

Bible content intended for the church

 

Bible interpretation can be challenging. For example, the Old Testament law and the gospels contain difficult commands for us to obey today, such as animal sacrifices and following the rules of the Pharisees (Matthew 23:3)! Obviously, in our Christian-based society we do not practice these things nor does the church command them.

 

Consequently, on what basis of interpretation can we ignore some commands and follow others? This is a vital question to answer to avoid confusion, believing lies about God and guilt!

 

Importantly, the Old Testament and the gospels must be interpreted carefully within the cultural and historical context in which God intended to communicate to His people and administrative them. Please read my last blog below to find clues on how to do this.

 

Today let's look at the portion of scripture intended towards the church specifically, the apostolic epistles in the New Testament, from Romans to Revelation 3. These letters explain what Christ wants us to do as church-based Christians following his glorious resurrection and ascension. 

 

·      The apostle Paul specifically was chosen to explain to the church the meaning of Christ’s coming (Colossians 1:25; Ephesians 3:1-6). In several instances, commands from the Old Testament law, such as nine of the Ten Commandments, and ‘love one another’ from the Gospels, are repeated in the epistles. However, it is from the Epistles that we derive our instructions as Christians in this time when God manages people through the church.

 

·      Proper technique in understanding the Bible is vital. Misinterpreting scripture based on an improper view of scriptural interpretation will cause us to believe lies about God which can have a negative psychological or physical impact on us and others. In the extreme, it can cause disunity in the church, formation of Christian cults, leading others astray, and causing wasted livesand resourcesin service to God. 

 

·      Basic interpretation rules for the Christian in the church (please also see my last blog).

 

• Guidance for the Christian is in the New Testament epistles. 
• Do not believe information about God, Christ or the Spirit that is not in scripture.
• As bad as it is to not believe Bible, it is also dangerous to add to the scripture (Revelation 22:18-19). Both removing and adding to scripture teaches lies about the character, actions, desires, and requirements of our holy God. Unfortunately, adding to scripture is quite common, often from well-intentioned teachers and leaders. Adding to scripture is most commonly done by:

Ø  Using philosophic arguments that are not in the Bible to assign their own beliefs to God.

Ø  Over-interpreting a verse according to one’s prejudice.

Ø  Interpreting a verse in isolation and not understanding the historical, cultural, or textual context.

Ø  Poor hermeneutics (basis of interpretation, please see my prior blog).

o  Scripture is progressive in revealing more information about God and His great plan of salvation as you proceed reading through the Bible; and should be interpreted in a normal, literal fashion. Otherwise, interpret is as it would have been understood at the time of writing and by the type of literature it represents (e.g. historical narrative, poetry, etc.)

 

·      For scriptural study techniques, see the Teleios guide on Bible study methods.

 

Make a strong habit, as people tell you what to believe about God, to check the veracity in scripture itself (yes, even the Teleios website) especially if it will strongly affect your or others’ lives and beliefs. You may need to ask the person who first made the statement where it is supported in the Bible. By this method, over time, you will learn what is actually in scripture and what God really desires from Christians. Knowing what is in scripture, and what is not, is quite freeing and helpful to your life.
 
Please join us next time which we discussed the plan of God in scripture. What a great and encouraging topic! I look forward to seeing you then.
 
Join us again next time and share this important blog with your friends and family!
 
William C. Stewart, MD
 
For questions or to view more of our research…
Email                        info@teleiosresearch.com
Website                  http://teleiosresearch.com/
Facebook               https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch
Instagram              https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch
Youtube                 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q
 
Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

 

Baptism: Part 2 - What to believe?

Welcome back to my blog! Today's exciting topic is baptism. Last time we covered the definition of the word and young people’s experience with baptism.

As a reminder of my admonition stated in the last blog, baptism is a very controversial subject and people's beliefs can often be based on feelings or tradition. However, as Bible based Christians, we first consider the scriptures to differentiate what the epistles say to the church about baptism from opinion and tradition. Further reading is referenced below (1,2).

Types of baptism

In the New Testament, baptism use can be divided generally from two sections: the historical books and the epistles.

• Historical books (the gospels and the book of Acts)
  • Historical precedent – Baptism as a rite was known among the Greeks and Jews.
  • The Greek mystery religions practiced baptism in the entry of new members into their societies (3).
  • Jews practiced baptism with water under undescribed conditions (4).
    • Accordingly, it appears that baptism as a rite was performed in the gospels and Acts in several instances among the Jews (please also see just below).

• Specific types of baptism are mentioned in the gospels and Acts:
• John the Baptist – He administered the baptism of repentance preparing the way of Christ (Matthew 3:7). This baptism was specific to John the Baptist.
• Christ’s baptism (Matthew 3) – This was specific to Jesus and his commission to be our Savior and the associated testimony of the Holy Spirit and God.
• Baptizing by the disciples – This was done apparently under the direction of Christ (John 3:26; 4:2). Its purpose is not described. It may reflect a baptism of repentance associated with the offer of the Kingdom. However, it would differ from John’s in that Christ had come.
• Baptism of fire (Matthew 3:11) – This meaning is controversial. It may be part of the presentation of Christ and specific to his commission to be our Savior. It may also be associated with the testimony of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Further, it might be to the purifying nature of Christ’s teaching (5). In contrast, it might reflect future punishment for sinners who do not repent.
• Christ baptism for which he was baptized (Matthew 20:22-23) - This appears to reflect his role, not a rite, as Savior leading to the cross by His obedience. His upcoming suffering is implied in the passage. His disciples wanted to sit with Him in heaven. Christ asked if they could tolerate the suffering on the cross (baptism) with which He was commissioned.
• Baptism in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:20) – This refers to baptism most likely in the time of the church. It might refer to the rite of baptism or to the regeneration associated with preaching the gospel as described in the epistles. Spiritual baptism, almost exclusively, is the type mentioned in the epistles.
• Water baptism in the early church (Acts) – The rite of water baptism appears to have been practiced in the early church. This baptism used water at least in one case (Acts 8:36) but the precise method of baptism is not described in any scriptural instance.

Water baptism in the early church period appears to occur when the church was primarily Jewish, based in Jerusalem. It may have been performed because of Jewish traditions and to show the association of the new formed church to Christ.

Later mentions of baptism are fewer as the church expanded and matured throughout the Roman Empire, but again almost always included Jews or appear Jewish focused (instances up to Acts 19 and 1 Corinthians 1). Events in Acts described after chapter 19 do not specifically mention the rite of baptism again.

Nonetheless, the church after the Bible times did perform water baptism (2^nd century and beyond). The practice of this rite after the Bible times is at a minimum evidence for our great freedom in how we structure the church in time and place (6).

• Therefore, scripture by either what it says or does not say about water baptism provides several key messages:
  • We are not commanded in the epistles, which contain the direction of Christ to the church, to be water baptized. A believer and a church are free to implement the rite out of faith in the manner they believe is correct.
  • Water baptism, when performed by any method, might be understood as a public statement of a person’s commitment to Christ by faith to salvation or a symbol of the regenerative work of the Spirit in the person’s life (7).

Baptism In the epistles - The epistles are the letters in the New Testament, generally written from the apostles, and provide to the church specifically the manner by which we should live our lives for God. Baptism in the letters is spiritual baptism in every instance except one passage (1 Corinthians 1). Spiritual baptism also is discussed in Security of Salvation in Know the Bible.

• Spiritual baptism – This is an important biblical truth which is vital in understanding who we are as Christians. Our knowledge about baptism can transform the way we think!
• When we become a Christian, we are identified with Christ’s gracious death and His resurrection. Otherwise, at salvation our old self died and was buried with Christ. We are raised now to new life with Him and we sit with Him on the right hand of God the Father (Romans 6:2-12; Ephesians 2:4-7; Colossians 2:12-13). Similar concepts in scripture that also appear to speak to spiritual baptism are: regeneration (Titus 3:5), born again (John 3: 5) and a new man (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10). The importance of spiritual baptism is at least the following:
  • Power over sin – Although every believer sins, we can say ‘no’ to sin because as a new person in Christ we have the power to live a victorious life.
  • End of depravity - When Adam fell into sin in the garden it became depraved, in body and mind that was by nature sinful, so he could not Say no to sin (Ephesians 2:1-3). Our identification with Christ resurrection provides us a new life with a new spiritual body that can approach God that holiness (Hebrews 10:19-22; Romans 6:2-11).
  • Ability to serve - Being identified with Christ’s resurrection provides for us a new mindset that allows us the capacity to serve God in the way in which he wishes (Romans 6:12-16; Ephesians 2:10).
  • New life – the reason for the resurrection – Baptism teaches us the importance of the resurrection because we are raised with Christ to new life without which we would still be dead in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:17).
  • Eternal security – Baptism helps prove we cannot lose our salvation. because scripture does not indicate that if we commit sin that our new self can be killed and the old dead self re-resurrected like some bad re-make of the ‘Night of the Living Dead’!
    • In other words, you are transformed permanently to a new life, resurrected with Christ and sitting with Him in heaven. These changes cannot be reversed. What a great comfort we have in truth of scripture.
    • Therefore, as a new person, we are liberated from sin and are free to serve Christ. We cannot be defeated by the misdeeds of our old self.

• Baptism of the dead – This is a difficult and controversial verse (1 Corinthians 15:29). In context, this wonderful chapter deals with the importance of the resurrection and the rapture. The Apostle Paul indicates in verse 30 and 31 how he suffers on behalf of those unbelievers to bring them the gospel. These two verses may integrate with Matthew 20: 22-23 with Christ’s question to the apostles if they can tolerate the ‘baptism with which he is baptized’, which was to suffer on the cross for all men’s sins.
  • Therefore, Paul possibly was saying that he was baptized, as an apostle, with a similar mission as Christ to take the gospel to unbelievers, with the accompanying suffering, as a part of his own mission (Colossians 1:24). The verse reflects Paul’s commitment to God’s purpose for his life (Romans 15:15-19).

In summary, so we've seen that baptism, although it has a variety of meanings in the New Testament, in the epistles intended for the church, it signifies spiritual baptism - our identification with the death and resurrection of Christ.

Thanks for joining me today. Next time we will discuss communion, remembering the death and resurrection of our precious savior.

William C. Stewart

1. Ryrie CC. Basic theology: A popular systematic guide to understanding biblical truth. Moody Publishers, 1999.
2. Chafer LS. Systematic Theology. Abridged Volume II. Kregel Publications, 1947.
3. https://www.britannica.com/topic/mystery-religion/Beliefs-and-practices
4. https://www.oneforisrael.org/bible-based-teaching-from-israel/was-baptism-originally-jewish/
5. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb.html
6. http://www.equip.org/article/new-testament-baptism/
7. http://www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/101-reasons-baptism-not-necessary-for-salvation

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email                info@teleiosresearch.com

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Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

Baptism: What does Scripture Teach?

Welcome back to my blog and thank you for visiting. Today's exciting topic is baptism. Prepare yourself for a wild ride!

Water baptism is a sacrament in most churches. In general, the number and form of the sacraments in the church are quite controversial and in part define church denominations. Sacraments generally are meant to convey a blessing on the believer or allow them to show their dedication to Christ. Unfortunately, a full discussion of individual denominational beliefs is beyond the scope of this blog.

The concept of baptism, however, is vitally important. Unfortunately, baptism can be a very emotional and divisive topic between individuals and denominations. Importantly, as biblically based believers we need to consider 1st the scriptures themselves to differentiate what the Bible states about baptism, or does not say, from opinion and tradition. Further reading is referenced below (1,2).

Let us look today at the meaning of the word and how young Christian millennials celebrate baptism.

What baptism means

First, let’s consider the word itself. The word is βαπτιζω (baptizoo) in the Greek (the language in which the New Testament originally was written), and was an old term borrowed from the dye trade. It meant that a piece of cloth immersed in the dye became identified with the new color (3).

In the epistles, the portion of scripture intended for the church, Christian baptism indicates that spiritually we are identified with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6:1-11; Ephesians 2:4-7; Colossians 2:11-13). Otherwise, at salvation we were regenerated to a new person. We will discuss the nuances of the different meanings of baptism in scripture in the next blog.

Water baptism is mentioned in the epistles in 1 Corinthians 1 as a criticism by Paul regarding the method the people in this church are handling the practice.

How do Christian millennials celebrate baptism?

Millennials’ view of baptism

Teleios recently completed a survey 189 mostly evangelical adolescents and young adults. We asked them if they had been baptized and by which method. We also inquired about the significance of baptism. Here are the top 4 answers regarding the method of baptism and some associated meanings:

• Immersed as a young person or adult (32%) – Marked differences in the rite of baptism exist across denominations. Immersion baptism, which perhaps most closely represents the regenerative work of the Holy Spirit, is preferred strongly by Baptists. Baptists typically believe the rite should be performed after salvation when the convert is old enough to make a responsible decision (4). However. Christians often consider that baptism symbolizes primarily a commitment to God by the new believer which was true also in our survey (20%).
• Sprinkled as a child (23%) – This form of baptism is preferred by several traditional denominations and is generally believed to convey either:
  • Forgiveness of the sin nature, and prior sins, allowing for a fresh start and working towards salvation, combined with grace (generally a Catholic viewpoint) (5).
  • Salvation in infants too young to make a decision for Christ. This protection lasts to the time of “the age of responsibility” (generally a Presbyterian viewpoint) (6).
  • Commitment by parents to raise a child in a godly manner leaving the responsibility to the child to be saved and baptized as an adult (often non-denominational Bible believing churches) (7).
• Never been baptized (19%) – Although this group might be seen as disobedient by some Christians; the New Testament epistles, which contain the injunctions to the church, specifically do not command water baptism. For example, the Quaker church does not perform the rite of baptism (8). Of course, salvation itself is by grace alone with no added works required (Ephesians 2:8-9).
• Spiritually baptized by the Holy Spirit at salvation (15%). This choice is closest to the meaning of baptism in the New Testament epistles (the letters to the churches). Although controversial, in the epistles when baptism is mentioned it speaks of spiritual baptism (except 1 Corinthians 1). The apostle Paul explained that spiritual baptism ‘identified’ us in the death and life of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Baptism represents the regeneration by the Spirit to a new person who can serve our Lord. This regeneration appears to occur at salvation accompanied by the sealing of the Holy Spirit (Romans 6: 2-9, Colossians 2: 11-13, Ephesians 2:4-7).

We will speak more about this in our next blog and this topic is also covered in the salvation portion of Know the Bible. Indeed, 68% of the participants in our survey believed baptism represents the regeneration of the Holy Spirit in their lives (Titus 3:5).

In summary, we've seen today that water baptism, though a usual part of church life, is not attested well in the portions of scripture intended for the church (the epistles). Churches are free to administer baptism as long as they do not go against the word of God. Baptism in the epistles is spiritual baptism which identifies us with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Next time we will discuss more deeply the different types of baptism identified in scripture. You will be amazed! Join us then!

William C. Stewart

1. Ryrie CC. Basic theology: A popular systematic guide to understanding biblical truth. Moody Publishers, 1999.
2. Chafer LS. Systematic Theology. Abridged Volume II. Kregel Publications, 1947.
3. https://www.westernseminary.edu/transformedblog/2014/02/25/baptisim-meaning-and-mode/
4. https://www.baptistdistinctives.org/resources/articles/believers-baptism/
5. https://www.catholic.com/tract/the-forgiveness-of-sins
6. https://www.presbyterianmission.org/story/what-presbyterians-believe-the-sacrament-of-baptism/
7. https://howtoadult.com/conditions-must-parents-fulfill-order-children-baptized-7763.html
8. http://www.religionresourcesonline.org/different-types-of-religion/compare/baptism.php

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