Water
Baptism Romans 6:
However, Paul explained that baptism is the form or type of Christ's death which when obeyed makes one free from sin so that we become the servants of righteousness. Water regeneration? No. It simply means "accepting the FREE gift." The FORM of baptism means that we do not have to die on the cross: we can be baptized INSTEAD OF dying on the cross. We do not have to endure the FLOOD we can be baptized INSTEAD OF. How better could God bestow grace:
BAPTISM is not a symbol: NONE of the Greek words meaning SYMBOL are used in connection with Baptism. The FIGURE is:
Antitupon (g499) an-teet'-oo-pon; neut. of a comp. of 473 and 5179; corresponding ["antitype"], i.e. a representative, counterpart: - (like) figure (whereunto).
Liddell-Scott
VII. archetype, pattern, model, capable of exact repetition in numerous instances,
IX. prescribed form, model to be imitated
The word the Bible uses is not a SYMBOL but a PATTERN which must be IMITATED. You can die FOR YOUR OWN SINS like the thief on the cross OR you can INSTEAD OF be baptized. You don't PAY for your own sins UNTIL after you have hung on the cross. You do not have LIFE until you have been buried and resurrected from WATER INSTEAD OF from a tomb..
Anti (g473) an-tee'; a prim. particle; opposite, i.e. INSTEAD or because of (rarely in addition to): - for, in the room of. Often used in composition to denote contrast, requital, SUBSTITUTION, correspondence, etc.
Tupos (g5179) too'-pos; from 5180; a die (as struck), i.e. (by impl.) a stamp or scar; by anal. a shape, i.e. a statue, (fig.) style or resemblance; spec. a sampler ("type"), i.e. a model (for imitation) or instance (for warning): - en- (ex-) ample, fashion, figure, form, manner, PATTERN, print.
Paul will say that we obey that FORM of doctrine and only THEN are we free from sin.
Jesus said that without being born AGAIN of Water and Spirit or Water and the Word you CANNOT, SHALL NOT enter into His kingdom or rule which is the Ekklesia or Christian synagogue or school of the Bible. The seven "spirits" of Isaiah 11:1-4 which would rest on the BRANCH are all related to forms of spiritual knowledge. Jesus said "My Words are Spirit and Life." Therefore, you might join a venue for Rock and Roll peddled as "worship" but Jesus Christ WILL NOT be your free-of-charge Teacher until He washes your spirit or mind. Only then do you have access to the seven spirits represented by the Menorah or Candlestick which gave LIGHT to the Holy Place along with the table of bread and the incense altar. Each Christian "priest" must look into the Most Holy Place with their own prayers. Then, you can enter into the Most Holy Place to meet God. Jesus said that the ONLY new PLACE is the human spirit as it gives heed to the Spirit of Truth through the Word. Don't believe the lie that "musical teams" lead you into the presence of God: that makes them claim to be God standing in the Holy Place. Not in the vilest pagan temple could singers and musicians enter into the holy precincts on the penalty of death. Don't follow people making "Christianity" viler than paganism. If you are part of the 5 out of 13,000 congregations then you have become a laughing stock just like the musical idolatrs at Mount Sinai which forfeited and continues to forfeit the Covenant of Grace.
People who refute this have a "spirit" which intends to hurt you real bad.
The will of God for our lives." Baptism is, like faith and everything else in the world, God's gift of grace. When Paul said that we are saved by grace through faith in the latter half of Ephesians 2, he had identified BAPTISM in the first part of the chapter. He says that BAPTISM is the way we show--down through the ages--that salvation is by grace through faith. Baptism replaces our LITERAL death for our own sins without baptism to bestow grace.
Those who reject the counsel of God for their lives take every passage in the New Testament about baptism and retranslate it into something not supported by any known translation. For instance, one writer accuses those who see the importance of water baptism as belonging to a cult and teaching another gospel. He interprets Paul's clear message about baptism in Romans 6 by writing:
A cursory review of the terms "like" or "likeness" in Greek (Romans 6:5, Greek word homoioma; "an abstract resemblance") epitomizes baptism as our "symbolic example" of following in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. We know that we perform this act symbolically; when we do not perform it literally, physically.
We agree that water baptism is a symbol or a type. We cannot literally hang on the cross, shed our blood, be buried and be resurrected. However, from our position it is correct for Jesus to say: "This is my blood" and "My Words are Spirit and Life."
For instance, being sworn in as President of the United States is just a symbol. The president becomes the most powerful man in the world only after the symbol. A sea shell is just a symbol but with it you might be able to buy a house on some ancient island.
However, baptism is a type or form which Paul says must be obeyed. To understand this it is important to begin in the beginning where Paul asks:
WHAT shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? Romans 6:1
It is unkind to bury people who are not dead! In Paul's mind, baptism is baptism of the dead.
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:2
Antithetic Parallelism was used by Paul, a Hebrew, who knew the poetic method, to contrast the physical and spiritual aspects of baptism for or in order to the remission of sins. In his mind we are rid of the dominance of sin because we are dead. When we "reject the counsel of God for our lives" like those who rejected John's baptism, we are not yet dead.
The Romans must understand that when they were physically buried in literal water they were spiritually baptized or buried alongside the dead body of Jesus Christ. There, they must leave their "carnal" body in order to be resurrected in connection with Christ. Notice how Paul uses this Hebrew form of writing to draw many parallels between the literal baptism in water (H2O) and baptism in or by the Spirit of Christ into the Spiritual realm.
Notice that the external, literal terms are matched by the internal Spiritual terms although they often overlap:
| Literal: Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into (eis) Jesus Chris |
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| Literal: by baptism into death |
Next, Paul reverses the parallelism to put the symbolic or parabolic on the outside to make the connection clear:
| Symbolic: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father |
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| Symbolic: we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Romans 6:5 |
Homoioma (g3667) hom-oy'-o-mah; from 3666; a form; abstr. resemblance: - made like to, likeness, shape, similitude.
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Ro.8:3
made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: But Ph.2:7
The form of the doctrine is an absolute pattern which must be imitated:
Tupos (g5179) too'-pos; a sampler ("type"), i.e. a model for imitation or instance (for warning): example, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern, print.
Homoioo (g3666) hom-oy-o'-o; from 3664; to assimilate, i.e. compare; pass. to become similar: - be (make) like, (in the) liken (- ess), resemble.
Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Heb.2:17
And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 2 Thes 1:7
In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Thes 1:8
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 2 Thes 1:9
Aiois (g166) ahee-o'-nee-os; from 165; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well): - eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began).
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 1 Pet 4:14
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busybody in other mens matters. 1 Pet 4:15
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 1 Pet 4:16
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 1 Pet 4:17
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 1 Pet 4:18
Wherefore, let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator 1 Pet 4:19
Of course all of this is taking place at the same time. We have our bodies washed with pure water while Christ cleanses us of sin. We die to our old life and have it buried and out of sight. This parallelism or swinging back and forth from the physical to the spiritual continues throughout this chapter:
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified (impaled in company) with him,
........ that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Romans 6:6For he that is dead is
........ freed from sin. Romans 6:7Now if we be dead with Christ,
........ we believe that we shall also live with him: Romans 6:8Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. Romans 6:9
........ For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Romans 6:10Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:11
If we are dead to self and sin and alive unto God through Jesus Christ it is because we have obeyed whatever He has commanded us. Paul says that this obedience, which is baptism, makes us righteous or justifies us because that was the counsel of the Lord for our lives. Paul continues:
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey,
his servants ye are to whom ye obey;
............ whether of sin unto death,
............ or of obedience unto righteousness? Romans 6:16Righteousness is:
Dikaiosune (g1343) dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay; from 1342; equity (of character or act); spec. (Chr.) justification: - righteousness.
I will recompense their way upon their
own heads, saith the Lord GOD.
Ezek. 11:18 And they shall come thither,
and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof
and all the abominations thereof from thence.
Ezek. 11:19 And I will give them one heart,
and I will put a new spirit within you;
A holy spirit or A good conscience after baptism.
and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh,
and will give them an heart of flesh:
Ezek. 11:20 That they
may walk in my statutes, and
keep mine ordinances,
and do them:
[in order that] and they shall be my people,
[in order that] and I will be their God.
Ezek. 11:21 But as for them whose heart
walketh after the heart of their detestable things and
their abominations,
I will recompense their way upon their own heads,
saith the Lord GODRom. 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as
were baptized into Jesus Christ
were baptized into his death?
Rom. 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.
If there is no LAW then you cannot sin:
Rom. 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because w
are not under the law [of Moses],
but under grace? God forbid.
Rom. 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom
ye yield yourselves servants to obey,
his servants ye are to whom ye obey;
whether [ye obey] of sin unto death,
or of obedience unto [to be in fact] righteousness?
Rom. 6:17 But God be thanked,
that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have
obeyed from the heart [spirit]
that form of doctrine [letter]
which was delivered you. [not
Rom. 6:18 Being then made free from sin,
ye became the servants of righteousness.
This is exactly the form or pattern Luke wrote about baptism which was rejected. The Pharisees and lawyers declared God unrighteousness because they rejected His counsel which means that they refused to be baptized:
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. Luke 7:29
But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God (for) themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30
The word justified is from the Greek:
Dikaioo (g1344) dik-ah-yo'-o; from 1342; to render (i.e. show or regard as) just or innocent: - free, justify (-ier), be righteous.
These same people, according to John, even believed but because they refused to confess Jesus they were not saved:
Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: John 12:42
But wasn't that John's baptism? Yes, but Dr. Jack Lewis wrote:
Prior to Jesus' public ministry, John the Baptist had preached a baptism of repentance for remission of sins (eis aphesin hamartion; Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3). Those people who rejected John's baptism rejected for themselves the counsel of God (Luke 7:29, 30). Its purpose is identical with the purposes suggested for Jesus' death (Matthew 26:28) and for the baptism of Pentecost (Acts 2:38).
Jesus died (shed His blood) in order that people could have remission of sins (eis aphesin hamartion; Matthew 26:28). Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). No one could argue that Jesus died because sins had already been forgiven. He purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). With His blood He purchased a people for His own possession (Titus 2:14). He died for our sins (huper ton hamartion; I Corinthians 15:3).
Jesus, after the resurrection, informed His disciples that it was written that the Christ should suffer and be raised on the third day and that repentance and the remission of sins (eis aphesis hamartion) be preached in His name unto all the nations (Luke 24:47). Would anyone want to argue that repentance is to be done because sins have already been forgiven?
In each of these verses, the phrase is the same as that in Acts 2:38--eis aphesin hamartion. If one case means "because of," then all should mean that.
When we say that baptism saves or remits sins it is because it is the will of Jesus Christ.
We declare Jesus fully God and Saviour when we obey Him. We declare Jesus not our Righteous Saviour when we reject His counsel for our lives. The real test is whether we can trust Him and the form of that test is water baptism which is, to the unspiritual, a humiliating experience.
The Romans believed in their heart but were not free from sin until they obeyed. What did they obey? They obeyed a form of the teaching. This was a visual model of Christ's death, burial and resurrection. The form was the pattern and the teaching was the same teaching Peter taught. Paul wrote:
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin,
but ye have obeyed from the heart
that form of doctrine (teaching, command) which was delivered you. Romans 6:17Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Romans 6:18
To obey is to: "hear, listen attentively, head or conform to a command of authority." To Paul, being made free from sins came after obedience of that form of teaching.
In the book right after Jesus commanded that believers be DISCIPLED by BAPTISM and FURTHER TEACHING. The object is to MAKE STUDENTS. The Disciples or Students were identified as CHRISTIANS or Christ-followers. Therefore, the evidence is clear that a Christian is a BAPTIZED BELIEVER. Mark spoke of the FIRST PRINCIPLE or Arche of the Gospel and identified that with the baptism of John and the baptism by Jesus through His disciples..
John (a man) could administer the baptism in water (not taking a bath) but only God washes or sprinkles the mind, heart, spirit or conscience (consiousness) so that God can dwell in that washed spirit by faith.
God does not see EXTERNAL RITUALS which are related to Abaddon or Apollyon but Jesus said that He seeks worship in the NEW PLACE of the human spirit which He cleanses ONLY at water baptism which is the FORM of the death, burial, revival and resurrection. That is why the word baptisma in the Greek means regeneration.
See another article to see that the facts of the gospel is the PROTOTYPE. We cannot literally die on the cross so the GRACE of Christ told us that we could obey a FORM or ANTITYPE of the PROTOTYPE. Only by those wo have obeyed from the heart that form are MADE FREE from sin-just as Jesus promised
While baptism gains access to God in and through Lord Jesus Christ, Paul does not hint that they were made free from sin simply by believing. After they had obeyed what they believed then they had the faith which saves and were made free from sin.
This is identical to the form of the doctrine commanded by Jesus and followed by all of the apostles:
........ Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
........ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts2:38Jesus says that believing plus being baptized saves.
Peter says to believers that repentance and baptism is for the purpose of remission of sins.
Paul says to believers that after obeying that form of teaching then they were made free from sin
It is true that baptism is a form, a type, a symbol because we cannot die as Jesus literally died. However, a form of teaching had to be obeyed out of a sincere heart.
The form of the doctrine is an absolute pattern which must be imitated:
Tupos (g5179) too'-pos; a sampler ("type"), i.e. a model for imitation or instance (for warning): example, fashion, figure, form, manner, pattern, print.
Again, this is identical to the pattern of doctrine which was the apostles doctrine. Only after people received the Word and were baptized could they be added to the body of believers:
Then they that gladly received (take in gladly) his word were baptized: and the same day
........ there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41
........ ........ And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship,
........ ........ and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. Acts 2:43
........ And all that believed were together, and had all things common; Acts 2:44
Jesus did not say that baptized believers would perform signs and wonders. He said that these signs should follow or accompany them. It was always the apostles who performed the signs to validate their message. In proof of that, no man ever spoke in tongues except in the presence of an Apostle. No woman every spoke in tongues in the Christian sense even in the presence of an apostle.
While Christ demands obedience, Paul has no doubt that sin gets paid with wages but the eternal life is a free gift from God:
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
We are saved BY grace THROUGH faith when we obey: Ephesians and Romans has the same meaning.
Counter added 5.27.05 11:34a 2700 7.02.09 6000