Is Baptism In the Name of Jesus Water or Spirit Baptism? The only reason the question has come up is a rejection of Acts 2:38. At one time, the most common argument used to get around Acts 2:38 was "for remission of sins" means "because of remission of sins". This has been shown to be false reasoning. a. The Greek word translated "for" in Acts 2:38 is "eis." The word "eis" is used 1,879 times in 1,601 verses in the Textus Receptus, the Greek manuscript the King James was translated from, and it is never translated "because". ("Because" is used 301 times in 291 verse in KJV) The common ways "eis" is translated include: "for", "unto", "in", "towards", "on". It always looks forward rather than backwards. b. Everyone knows that Jesus did not shed His blood "because" we have already been forgiven, but the wording in Matt. 26:28 is the same in both the Greek and English as Acts 2:38. Matthew 26:28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Some now admit that the baptism in Acts 2:38 is actually for remission of sins, just like it says, but they claim it is referring to Spirit baptism rather than water baptism. Dick Wilson, from Tri-City Baptist church, argued for several months that "for the remission of sins" in Acts 2:38 meant "because of remission of sin". I put together a 10 page word study on the word "eis" and gave it to him on two different occasions. He never would acknowledge that he had received it. Then one day, he said that he believed the same thing I did, and he had believed it all the time. He said it does mean "for the remission of sins," but it is Holy Spirit baptism, not water baptism. Is Baptism "In The Name of Jesus" - Water or Spirit Baptism? All understand the baptism of the Great Commission is water baptism Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. "Baptism is a sacrament of the New Testament, ordained by Jesus Christ, 1 not only for the solemn admission of the party baptized into the visible church, but also to be unto him a sign and seal of the covenant of grace, of his ingrafting into Christ, of regeneration, of remission of sins, and of his giving up unto God, through Jesus Christ, to walk in newness of life: which sacrament is, but Christ's own appointment, to be continued in his church until the end of the world." ("1" is a footnote to Matt. 28:18-19) The Presbyterian Confession of Faith, Chapter 30, "Of Baptism," pg. 155-156. "Christian baptism was instituted by Christ when he submitted to John's baptism, adopting its form with some change of meaning... 'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world' (Matt. 28:19, 20)." The Hiscox Standard Baptist Manual, Chapter 5, "Christian Ordinances," pg. 79-80. "Baptism consists in applying water to a person 'in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost,' as Christ has commanded. 1" ("1" is a footnote to Matt. 28:19) Luther's Catechism, Part 4, "The Sacrament of Holy Baptism," pg. 144. Just before He ascended into Heaven, Jesus commanded His disciples to baptize people in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit. Everyone has commonly understood this to be referring to water baptism. After the apostles received the promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, they began teaching people that they needed to be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins. Is there any reason to not believe that they were simply doing what their Lord had com manded them? 1. The baptism of the Spirit was a promise to the apostles they were to wait in Jerusalem to receive. 2. Baptism in the name of Jesus was a command given that was to be obeyed. 3. Those who obeyed the command to be baptized in the name of Jesus would re ceive the gift of the Holy Spirit. If baptism "in the name of the Lord" is Spirit baptism, why would we be baptized in the Spirit for the remission of sins and then afterwards receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? Acts 8, the baptism of the Samaritans Acs 8:5-7 - Philip preached Jesus to the Samaritans. 8:12-13 - They were baptized. How? In water or the Spirit? It is not specified here. 8:14-16 - Peter and John were sent to them and they prayed that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit. Why had they not yet received the Holy Spirit? Acts 8:16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Peter and John laid their hands on the Samaritans and they received the Holy Spirit. If baptism in the name of Jesus was Spirit baptism, why did Peter and John have to lay their hands on them for them to receive the Holy Spirit? 8:18 - The Spirit was given by the laying on of the apostles hands. The events of Acts 2 were not repeated in Acts 8. 1. Preaching Jesus Results in Water Baptism Acts 8:5, 12 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Acts 8:35-36 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" 2. Water baptism that comes from preaching Jesus is baptism "in the name of the Lord" Acts 8:16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 3. Baptism in the name of the Lord is water baptism Acts 10 - Cornelius Through Cornelius, God kept his promise to pour out the Spirit on all flesh. Approxi mately 10 years had passed since Pentecost. Up to this time, the church was made up of Jews or half Jews (Samaritans). Now, those who were not Jews at all are brought into the body of Christ. After Peter returned to Jerusalem, the Jews confronted him for eating with Gentiles. Peter had to explain to them what had happened. In Acts 11:13-16, the words spoken by Peter were to save Cornelius. It was the words, not the Holy Spirit that brought salvation. The words had the purpose of informing Cornelius what he must do. Peter said that the Spirit fell on them, just as He did on the apostles "in the beginning". If this is a normal event like some try to claim, why did Peter refer all the way back to the events of 10 years previous to that time? He remembered "at that time" concerning the promise of the Holy Spirit. Why did he remember at that time, if people receiving the Spirit in this manner was an everyday event? The Spirit coming on people in this manner was not a normal event, but it was evidence provided to the Jews that Gentiles were accepted to God through Christ, just as the Jews were. Acts 11:17-18 "If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?" When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gen tiles repentance to life." Some more time passes and some Jews began teaching that unless Gentiles were circum cised, they could not be saved. In Jerusalem, Peter again refers to the events of Cornelius and reminds them of the reason God gave the Gentiles the Spirit. It was evidence that they were acceptable as the Jews were. Just because they received the Spirit does not mean they were saved at that point. The Spirit can come on anyone if He has a reason for it. 1. The Spirit came on Saul and his servants, although they were trying to kill David. 1 Samuel 19:20-23 Then Saul sent messengers to take David. And when they saw the group of prophets prophesying, and Samuel standing as leader over them, the Spirit of God came upon the messengers of Saul, and they also prophesied. And when Saul was told, he sent other messengers, and they prophesied likewise. Then Saul sent messengers again the third time, and they prophesied also. Then he also went to Ramah, and came to the great well that is at Sechu. So he asked, and said, "Where are Samuel and David?" And someone said, "Indeed they are at Naioth in Ramah." So he went there to Naioth in Ramah. Then the Spirit of God was upon him also, and he went on and prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. 2. Caiaphas was inspired to prophesy, although he was a murderer. John 11:49-52 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, "You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish." Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad. The Spirit came on Cornelius to prove to the Jews that the Gentiles were accepted by God. 1. The events that day were so unique that Peter had to refer to the day of Pentecost to compare them to. 2. Although Cornelius received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, he still had to be baptized in the name of the Lord. 3. The command of Jesus in Matt. 28:19-20 still had to be obeyed! Acts 10:47-48 Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. The Baptism of 12 Men In Ephesus Acts 19:1-5 - 12 men who had known only the baptism of John were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. After Paul laid his hands on them, they received the Holy Spirit. This is similar to the events in Acts 8. That is where Peter and John laid their hands on the Samaritans after they had been baptized in the name of the Lord, so they could receive the Holy Spirit. If baptism "in the name of Jesus" is Spirit baptism, why did the Samaritans and these 12 men need the apostles to lay their hands on them so they could receive the Holy Spirit after they had been baptized in the name of the Lord? The One Baptism Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were 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. Water baptism is the one baptism practiced today by all religious groups claiming to be Christian. This is the method of the baptism that comes from preaching Jesus. Acts 8:35-38 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 1. Baptists use Romans 6 to prove water baptism is immersion rather than sprinkling Romans 6:3-7 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin. The baptism of Romans 6 is for the same purpose as the baptism "in the name of the Lord" in Acts 2:38. In Acts, it is "for the remission of sins," In Romans it is to be "freed for sin." If someone understands the baptism in Romans 6 is water baptism, they should understand that baptism "in the name of the Lord" is water baptism. 2. Colossians 2 also teaches that baptism is a burial Colossians 2:11-13 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses. The burial by baptism in Romans 6 is water baptism, then the burial in baptism in Colossians 2 must be water baptism. This baptism is for the same purpose as the baptism in Acts 2:38. In the circumcision of Christ (water baptism), we put off the body of the sins of the flesh, and we are forgiven all our trespasses. This is the same as "for the remission of sins". 3. Ephesians 5 teaches that the church is cleansed by the washing of water Ephesians 5:25-26 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word. The cleansing of the washing of water in Ephesians is for the same purpose of baptism "in the name of the Lord" in Acts 2:38. In Acts, we are told we have remission of sins, in Ephesians, we are told we are cleansed. 4. Peter compares baptism to the water of the Flood 1 Peter 3:20-21 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The saving baptism of 1 Peter is compared to the water of the flood. this indicates the saving baptism of 1 Peter is water baptism, rather than Spirit baptism. John taught that water bears witness on earth 1 John 5:6-8 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. Water baptism is the one baptism of Ephesians 4. 1. Baptism in water in the name of Jesus was commanded to all men and has continued through the centuries. 2. Men choose to obey or reject baptism in water. 3. Baptism of the Spirit was a special promise given for special reasons and is not repeated today. 4. No one could obey the baptism in the Spirit. The Spirit fell on those whom God chose for the purpose of revealing His will for all mankind. Baptism in the Spirit is a promise that came to people without them doing anything Acts 1:4-5 And gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." Baptism in the name of Jesus is a command to be obeyed. Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. Wayne Wells wayneliz@twave.net http://users.twave.net/ncc