Water Baptism of Christ
And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. [John 1:31]
Christ was water baptized, not as an example to us, but to be made manifest to Israel.
Water Baptism of Israel During Christ's Earthly Ministry
And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. [Luke 7:29-30]
And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. [Matthew 3:6]
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. [Mark 16:16]
Justification before God came through water baptism. Did the baptism provide the justification? The baptism simply served as an identification of the repentant Jew with the Gospel of the Kingdom. It was the sign that God required to prove they had sufficient faith.
Water Baptism of Israel Post Ascension
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. [Acts 2:38]
Unlike John's baptism, after the ascension of Christ, water baptism now brought the promised Holy Ghost. Note in Acts 19:2-5 that there were Kingdom Saints who had been baptized under John's baptism but didn’t know if there was a Holy Ghost. They were commanded to be rebaptized in the name of the Lord so they could receive the Holy Ghost.
Baptism of Cornelius
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? [Acts 10:44-47]
Peter was given the vision of the descending sheet that had meat on it that as a Jew, Peter wouldn't touch. God tells him that he is now calling that meat common. God was showing that Peter there had been a change in programs. Peter didn't understand it until Galatians 2 when Paul explained what was going on. Notice Peter still baptizes Cornelius, as he would have been accustomed to, but note that the Holy Ghost fell prior to the water baptism. This indicates that God was going to be giving the Holy Spirit now without the need of water baptism.
Body of Christ Baptism
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. [Ephesians 4:4-6]
Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: [Romans 6:3-5]
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. [Galatians 3:27-28]
Baptism today is not performed by water. It is performed by the Holy Spirit to place into the Body of Christ. Paul tells us in Ephesians that there is ONE baptism. 1 Corinthians 12 tells us we are baptized by the Spirit into ONE Body. Romans tells us that we have been baptized into His Body and therefore have been baptized into his Death. Galatians tells us that because we have been baptized into Christ's Body, we are now clothed in the skins of our sacrifice. God sees us in the righteousness of his Son.
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As we must ALWAYS do...
Or else...
...Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
[Matthew 15:6]
