Thursday, February 24, 2011

Baptism of Cornelius

Recently you were teaching on baptism that, to the Gentiles it was about Holy Spirit Baptism not water baptism. Why did Peter then say to Cornelius, and his house, Can any forbid water that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? [Acts 10:47]

Yes, our Apostle Paul says that there is only one baptism for the Church, the Body of Christ (not just the gentiles as you wrote because there were both gentile and Jew in the Body), and that one baptism is not physical, water one, but a spiritual one.

Ephesians 4:5
One Lord, one faith, one baptism...

God had Paul write this to us because there was much confusion in Paul's day about this issue (as there still is in our day, as well).

God ordained water baptism for the nation of Israel and their earthly kingdom program.

Exodus 19:6
And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation

It was a physical washing of water because they were to be a physical kingdom of priests, and the priest must be washed with water.

Exodus 29:4
And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water.

Revelation 5:10
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

That is why John came baptizing Israel, and why the Lord was baptized as well.

Matthew 3:13-16
Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized…

So we see why God required the Nation of Israel to submit to water baptism. By submitting to that water baptism, they (not Jesus) were both confessing their sins, and saying that they believed that God would ordain them as the kingdom of priests and holy nation in the kingdom that He promised to them!

But when you rightly divide God's Word, and understand that Paul is God's spokesman for us today, you learn, like Paul learned that water baptism is not a part of God's program for us today!

1 Corinthians 1:14-17
I thank god that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other. for Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

Notice here that, as opposed to the 12 Jewish Apostles, Paul was not sent to baptize, and he even thanked God that he did not baptize!!!

Paul learned, over the course of time (during the book of Acts), that although water baptism was a part of God's program with Israel, that now, since God changed the program to Grace and the church, the Body of Christ, that water baptism was not a required. Why? Because the one baptism for today is done, not by man like John and Peter, and Paul, but by God Himself!

1 Corinthians 12:13
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

So our baptism in the Body is not a physical one done by man, but a spiritual one done by God Himself. To add to that one baptism of Ephesians 4 is to add to God's work, thereby sinning against God!

Now, you asked about Peter baptizing Cornelius in Acts 10...

Notice again, that was Peter and not Paul, and Peter was sent to baptize.

Matthew 28:19
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Notice also that it was in Acts 10, after Paul got saved in Acts 9, which is why God gave those gentiles the Holy Ghost BEFORE they got wet—this was the very first time that happened! Also note that Peter knew nothing about Paul's salvation in Acts 9, nor did God reveal to him yet that He changed the program and that He was no longer dealing with Israel.  But, that He was now forming the Church, the Body of Christ! Notice the astonishment of Peter and the other Jews!

Acts 10:44-48
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? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Peter later learned (through Paul [Galatians 2:5-9]) about the change in the program, including the importance of water baptism (or lack thereof)!

So why did Peter baptize those gentiles? Because, that was his commission and God had not revealed the change to him until later.

Hopefully this helps...Maranatha!
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