One Baptism

Background Scripture: Ephesians 4; Acts 19:1-6
Lesson Scripture: Ephesians 4:1-6; Matthew 28:18-20; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Introduction

Baptism has been the subject of many opinions and disputations in the gospel age. The majority of Christian professing people believe in infant baptism. Others reject infant baptism but believe that once one has been baptized upon a confession of faith, this ceremony should never be repeated. Some believe that the ceremony of baptism is required before one can be saved. Others disregard the importance of the ceremony. Many focus on the mode of baptism. What is the truth?

Key Verse

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (Mark 16:16).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

The background scripture and lesson verses give a basic standard regarding the unified church of God. God has provided the needed direction and leadership for the building and maintenance of his church. Paul clearly states “that there should be no schism in the body” (1 Cor. 12:25). We are also taught to be long-suffering and forbearing, which is needful for maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. This helps us to assist one another instead of too readily going separate ways.

In Acts 19, Paul met some disciples and asked them whether they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed. They answered that they had never heard of the Holy Ghost and had received John’s baptism of repentance. Paul obviously felt this would not suffice, and “they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 5) and received the Holy Spirit when Paul laid his hands upon them (v. 6).

The Great Commission given by Jesus in Matthew 28:19-20 authorized the disciples to preach and baptize. We are thankful that this commission is still carried out by God’s people.

Practical Truths for Today

During the Middle Ages when the state church was in authority, those who practiced believer’s baptism instead of infant baptism were immediately subject to arrest, torture, and death. It was in this setting that the terms Doopsgezind (in Dutch) and Taufgesinnte (in German) were born. These designations meant “those who baptize again” as opposed to those who are satisfied with infant baptism. The above terms have been translated into Anabaptist, though this name has taken on a broader meaning in our time. Martyr Jan Wouterss did not appreciate being designated as “rebaptized,” saying, “I have been baptized but once upon my faith; infant baptism I do not regard as baptism.” 1

Menno Simons wrote that regardless of who would come to him and request to be baptized, “I would rather die than baptize such . . . For where there is no renewing, regenerating faith, leading to obedience, there is no baptism,” 2 if this person was not regenerated.

Many advocate that baptize means being immersed. In some instances, baptism was done in the water as with the eunuch from Ethiopia: “They went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him” (Acts 8:38). This statement does not rule out that the water could have been applied without immersion. Cornelius and his group appear to have been indoors when Peter said, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized?” (Acts 10:47). Menno Simons, more than once, mentions “a handful of water,” referring to baptism. John prophesied in Matthew 3:11 that the believers would be baptized with fire; on the day of Pentecost, this was fulfilled when tongues of fire “sat upon each of them” (Acts 2:3). This certainly does not indicate a plunging into fire.

We believe the Scripture teaches only one true baptism: a baptism upon the confession of faith administered to a person who is born again by someone who is authorized by God’s church. Baptismal water does not wash away sins, nor is it needed before one can be saved, but it is an act of obedience signifying that the person being baptized has been washed by the blood of Christ. It is also the door into the visible body whereby we make a covenant with the church as our home where we shall be taught and instructed in all the commands of God.

We believe it is of utmost importance that the applicant is born again and the ceremony is authorized by God’s church. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 1:13-17, seemed to de-emphasize the recognition of being baptized by a certain individual. And Peter, in reference to Cornelius and his household, “commanded them to be baptized” (Acts 10:47-48). These passages show that the apostles were not possessive of any personal authority to administer the ceremony.

For the purpose of examining principle, consider the account found in Acts 15:36-40. Paul and Barnabas were planning to visit places where they had preached the gospel to see how the believers were faring. Barnabas wanted to take his relative, John Mark, along. Paul thought they should not take him along because he had previously forsaken them in the work. The contention got so sharp between them that they separated, with Barnabas taking Mark with him and Paul later being accompanied by Silas. Evidently, Paul and Silas were supported by the church (v. 40), while there is no indication given how it was with Barnabas and Mark. This rift was later healed, with Paul expressing confidence in Mark (Col. 4:10). Disagreements result in a separation when not healed, and a new group is started. Such divisions have given rise to many denominations, some of which eventually recognize each other as fellow Christian churches and accept each others’ baptisms, even though they are not in unity. Thus, a fragmented body is accepted with various separate groups being considered as parts of God’s church. To keep and maintain biblical oneness, a party that is separated from God’s church cannot be blessed without a repentance that would include a return to the fold. The true church cannot build on division or recognize baptisms administered by those who are unwilling to submit themselves to God’s church.

Religious men are prone to take too much upon themselves, becoming propagators of heresy. When Menno Simons was constrained to leave his original church, he sought out the those he recognized as true followers of Christ instead of starting his own group. An unconditional surrender opens the way for one to embrace the people of God.

It is commonly believed the oneness taught in the New Testament is impossible in our time, that all the different churches are like so many spokes in a wheel all leading to the same place. The Scripture must be respected and obeyed regardless of man’s reasoning. Jesus told Peter, when he asked about another, “What is that to thee? follow thou me” (John 21:22). While this quotation is somewhat out of context, it conveys an important point: we must be obedient regardless of others’ practices. We are not asked to classify all individuals, groups, or what they do. Paul stated that we do not judge those who are without (1 Cor. 5:12), but we must beware of false teachers.

The exclusive aspects of the true church’s doctrine are not based on a rigid stand with a “better than thou” feeling but rather on a humble and sincere willingness to faithfully uphold the teachings of the Bible and the historic church’s beliefs. This sincerity acknowledges that the kingdom of God can be taken away from us and “given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof” (Matt. 21:43).

Questions

1. What should our attitude be toward those who advocate that the church of God is scattered in many denominations?
2. Discuss: John Holdeman wrote, “Forgiveness of sins . . . must be received before baptism . . . but the gift of the Holy Spirit can be received before, during, or after baptism.” 3
3. What gives you confidence that you were the recipient of the “one baptism”?
4. 1 Martyrs Mirror, p. 910
5. 2 Complete Writings of Menno Simons, “Foundation of Christian Doctrine”
6. 3 Mirror of Truth, p. 92

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).