REFERENCES TO ALL BAPTISM

Acts 19:3a – Questions which baptism (John’s or Christian)

Hebrews 6:2 – translated “washings” in NAS

REFERENCES TO TYPICAL “BAPTISMS” OR WASHINGS

1 Corinthians 10:2 – Immersion into Moses prepared the nation for transfer into the greater than Moses by John’s Baptism which brought them back into this original Moses’ Baptism. Verse 4 clearly shows the aim to be the eventual transfer to Christ. Hebrews 9:10 – translated “washings” 1 Peter 3:20 – The flood was a figure of baptism (see verse 21)

REFERENCES MEANING BATHING OR WASHING

Mark 7:4 – “wash” in KJV, “cleanse” in NAS

Mark 7:4 – “washing” in KJV and in NAS

Mark 7:8 – “washing” not in NAS. This is a spurious entry in KJV.

Luke 11:38 – “washed” in KJV, “ceremonially washed” in NAS

REFERENCES AS PART OF JOHN THE BAPTIST’S NAME

Matthew 3:1,11:11,12,14:2,8,16:14,17:13 Mr 6:14,24,25,8:28 (Mark 1:4 in NAS, KJV is accurate)

Luke 7:20, 28 (“the Baptist” is spurious), 7:33, 9:19

JOHN’S BAPTISM AS ADMINISTERED BY JOHN

Matthew 3:6 – sin confession was a requisite Matthew 3:7 (8) – repentance and fruitage were necessary

Matthew 3:11a – water was a symbol of repentance Matthew 3:13 – John unaware this occasion not “;John’s baptism” Matthew 3:14 – Though imperfect, John (as God’s prophet) was not in need of baptism

Matthew 21:25 – Jesus wanted priests, elders, to see need for John’s baptism

Mark 1:4a – shows place of John’s works – perhaps symbolizing his rejection by the existing powers

Mark 1:4b – John’s baptism involved repentance resulting in the remission (NAS forgiveness) of sins

Mark 1:5 – shows how widespread John’s message was Mark 1:8a – same as Matthew 3:11 Mr 11:30 – same as Matthew 21:25 Lu 3:3 – same as Mark 1:4 Lu 3:7 (8) – same as Matthew 3:7,8 Lu 3:12 (-14) – repentance symbolized by John’s baptism would result in fairness, compassion, gentleness and contentment

Luke 3:16a – water is a symbol of being immersed into a condition (by comparison to fire and holy Spirit)

Luke 3:21 – (a) refers to the people, (b) refers to Jesus. Though his baptism was different, he used baptism as part of the general movement of reform in Israel.

Luke 7:29 – Sincere Israelites were convinced (in part by Jesus’ preaching) of Johns place as a prophet and, therefore, joined the repentance movement. (NAS “having been baptized” seems less accurate than KJV “being baptized”)

Luke 7:30 – “rejected the counsel of God” seems the opposite of verse 29’s “justified God”

Luke 20:4 – same as Matthew 21:25 Joh 1:25 – the Pharisees were unwilling to accept another prophet, righteously claiming that they will accept a message of repentance only from Elijah, Messiah, or “that prophet”

John 1:26 – same as Matthew 3:11 Joh 1:28 – NAS says “in Bethany” John 1:31 – primary purpose of John’s work: pointing to Messiah John 1:33a -God Himself authorized the baptismal work of John. Also, a more significant baptism would follow John’s.

John 3:23 – quantity of water implies that sprinkling is unlikely John 10:40 Ac 1:5a – same as Luke 3:16, but by Jesus instead of John Acts 10:37 – John’s baptism was the beginning (in a sense) of the work of a new age

Acts 11:16a – same as Acts 1:5 except it shows Peter’s remembrance was of Jesus’ statement rather than of John’s

Acts 13:24 – The purpose of John’s baptism’s was to prepare the way for Messiah. Also shows that John’s baptism was for Israel. Acts 19:4 – Proof of the expiration of John’s baptism (of repentance) and the need for a new, non-transference, baptism for Jews or for Gentiles. This text vibrantly shows the point of John’s baptism: “to believe in him who was coming after:”

BAPTISM OF “FIRE” AND OF “HOLY SPIRIT”

Matthew 3:11b – John pointed to the change coming that would result in things more real than the symbolism of water – i.e., either spirit begettal or destructive power (cf. vs. 12 and Matthew 22:7). Immersion into water and into Christ’s death are for us to attend to. Immersion of the holy Spirit or of fire are God’s doing. Mark 1:8b – same as Matthew 3:11, except omits “fire”

Luke 3:16b – same as Matthew 3:11 Ac 1:5b – Jesus applied John’s prophecy to himself

Acts 11:16b – Peter remembers Jesus’ words in Acts 1:5

JOHN’S BAPTISM ADMINISTERED BY JESUS’ DISCIPLES

John 3:22,26 – Of the Gospel writers, only John mentions this. The context can be misinterpreted. It does not say there are different baptisms – only that the administration by Jesus’ disciples was overtaking that administered by John. The baptisms were the same, not competitive. If a different baptism were being carried out, it would nullify John’s which (John 1:33) was ordained by God. (The next text shows John 3:22 did not mean Jesus personally did any immersing… which might have implied to some that there was an alternative immersion.)

John 4:1, 2 – See above. Note (verses 3, 4) that Jesus purposely left lest his immersing be misinterpreted.

Acts 2:38 – This text could be misunderstood because of the phrase “in the name of Jesus Christ.” This is still John’s baptism with the added information that the transfer into Messiah will be effected. Note verses 36 and 37. These Jewish “brethren” want to know how to escape their sins under the Law as well as their part in the national sin of crucifying Jesus. Peter suggests baptism as the sign of their repentance of their sins (imputed under the Law). Verse 39 intensifies this national application.

Acts 2:41 – This is yet John’s baptism for Jews with the transfer now happening into the “greater than Moses”

Acts 8:12 – This, being still before the expiration of the 70 weeks, is yet the baptism of John with transfer into Christ

Acts 8:13 – Simon’s baptism. The gifts are Christian, but pre-70 week baptisms are John’s. They result in begettal after Pentecost. Acts 8:16 -Gifts of the spirit did not come from baptism. They came from the apostles, or from the “baptism of the holy Spirit” at Pentecost and in Cornelius’ home at the end of the 70 weeks. Acts 8:36,38 – (37 spurious) The eunuch was a Jewish proselyte. (Acts 8:27) No Gentile was received before Cornelius.

Acts 9:18 – Paul (who had been sinning against the Law in fervent ignorance) repents and receives John’s baptism, putting him back under the covenant and ready for immediate transfer into Christ. Acts 18:25 – This is post-Cornelius. The 70-week promise was over. Apollos was not aware that John’s baptism was expired.

Acts 22:16 – Paul’s recollection of his baptism (John’s baptism, cf. Acts 19:5) which allowed him immediate transfer into Christ.

CHRISTIAN BAPTISM (POST 70TH-WEEK, JEWS & GENTILES), LITERAL (WATER) AND SYMBOLIC (CHRIST’S DEATH)

Matthew 3:13, 16 – The only instance of John administering something other than John’s baptism. This act (purely Christian baptism) will have no repetition until the end of the 70 weeks.

Matthew 20:22,23 – same as Mark 10:38,39, which please see. (But all reference to baptism in the Matthew account is spurious.) Matthew 28:19 -This formula is nowhere repeated. Even the mention of Father, Son, and holy Spirit is found nowhere else in the Bible. (though Revelation 1:4,5 contain its equivalent) All early church fathers, when referring to this verse, refer to baptism in Jesus’ name. Is it possible that this verse is a corruption of the early MS even though no alternative has yet been discovered?

Mark 1:9 – same as Matthew 3:13 Mr 10:38,39 – the symbol of water (and even the Spirit gifts) are not the true baptism into Christ. This speaks of immersion into God’s will, with all of its attendant experiences.

Luke 3:21 – (second occurrence) same as Matthew 3:13 Lu 12:50 – same as Mark 10:38,39, but Luke continues in verses 51-53 to show some of the possible consequences of this baptism (second occurrence in NAS is translated “undergo”)

Acts 1:22 – same instance as Matthew 3:13 Ac 10:47,48 – The first purely Christian water immersion recorded, save of Jesus in Matthew 3:13. Note that it followed the gifts of the spirit. Through this example God showed water immersion only symbolizes what has already taken place. Verse 44 is the second “baptism of the spirit” (the first occurred at Pentecost). By these two, it was manifest that both Jews and Gentiles were accepted into Christ. (On the surface, verse 43 might seem to contradict 85962, “Baptism for Remissions of Sins for Jews Only:’ But the point is: John’s baptism was for remission of sins – a return to righteousness under the Law, in order to a transfer into Christ. Christian baptism is not for that reason. Nevertheless, as verse 43 says, remission of sins does occur to all, Jews or Gentiles, who believe. See next comment also.)

Acts 16:15 – Lydia and family. Note a difference recorded beginning with the Cornelius baptism, (Acts 10:47-48) repeated here, and with the jailer, (Acts 16:33) and with Crisp’s. (Acts 18:8) In every instance in Acts, after the 70-week expiration, except the Effusion ecclesia in Acts 19:5 (where the details are not clear), families or households are received as units. This is unlike anything specified under John’s baptism.

Acts 16:33 – the jailer and family

Acts 18:8 – Crispus and family (with other Corinthians)

Acts 19:5 – Ephesus Ecclesia. (see Acts 19:4 note) John’s baptism was now invalid for Jews, and was never for Gentiles. God apparently withheld the holy Spirit in this case until after water baptism to enforce this understanding. (See note, Acts 10:47-48). Romans 6:3, 4 – the clearest Bible statement on true Christian baptism. It says we die for the same reason He died – not for a ransom, but for an offering for sin. Baptism is a burial of the old will in favor of the new, spirit-begotten will.

1 Corinthians 1:13 – Please note, baptism is not factional.

1 Corinthians 1:14-16 – Our allegiance is not to the immerser.

1 Corinthians 1:17 – Paul is not ignoring Matthew 28:19, but is trying to show that the reality supersedes the symbol.

1 Corinthians 12:13 – This is not water immersion. This is the holy Spirit directing our immersion into one body with one purpose, though the body’s various parts provide various functions.

1 Corinthians 15:29 – Not the Mormon concept of vicarious immersion. Shows the purpose of our incorporation into the body of Christ: that we might ultimately raise and bless the dead.

Galatians 3:27 – Same point as Romans 6 and 1 Corinthians 12:13. Verse 29 shows the result – blessing all the families of the earth as part of Abraham’s seed. Restates 1 Corinthians 15:29 Eph 4:5 – The one baptism is into Christ. Even John’s baptism effected this for faithful Jews who transferred into Christ. “One’ baptism is part of the “doctrine of baptisms”. (Hebrews 6:2) Colossians 2:12 – Paul echoes his Romans 6 teaching.

1 Peter 3:21 – Immersion into Christ is a mechanism of deliverance (cf. Colossians 1:14 and Ephesians 1:7). Though Peter mentions water in verse 20, that is not the point of comparison. The baptism that saves us is the real baptism in Christ, not the water immersion. Peter also cautions that, unlike John’s, this baptism is not the cleansing of the flesh, but for a relationship with God based on faith in Jesus’ redemptive work.

 

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