Quote:
Originally Posted by Brother Tim
George, I'm not interested in getting into a fuss with Tony or seeing anyone else do so over this question. I would like to see Tony's explanation of his view so that I can better deal with the question should it arise by some seeker of truth. I know that Tony is settled in his belief as I am in mine, so fussing won't help. But there are those who are unsure. Should we not provide for them some evidence of what is right and wrong? It is not a minor "take-it-or-leave-it" decision.
I would like to know if Tony considers believer's baptism as practiced in the average Baptist church to be a sin.
|
1Jo 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Water baptism as practiced by the average Baptist church is not a sin.
Water baptism as practiced today is a misapplication of a Jewish ordinance, part of the Law of Moses.
It is a dead work and is the
first step in consecrating a Levite:
Ex 19:5 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:
6 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.
Note Jesus Christ preached this Scripture in Luke 4, to announce this eminent "kingdom of priests":
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
6
But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the
Ministers of our God: ye shall
eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Le 8:6 And Moses brought
Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water.
Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;
not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and
of faith toward God,
2
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
Hebrews 9:8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as
the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9
Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10 Which
stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by
a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Please read the Scripture passages above
in context. As I have stated elsewhere, I will explode before I quote Scripture out of context.
The passages in Hebrews deal with the whole workings of the Law as a picture, a like figure, a similitude, of Jesus Christ and His work as Redeemer.
I'm sure I'll be asked to elaborate on that and so I'll stop here for now and wait for Brother TIm's comments and ask him two questions?
1. Was John the Baptist the first Baptist?
2. Why was Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, baptized in water?
Grace and peace friends.
Tony