Into What Were You Baptized?

By Tom Hamilton 

Paul met “certain disciples” at Ephesus in Acts 19. Paul knew that these men were “disciples” or followers of God, but he also knew that they were not Christians. Therefore, the question Paul put to them was, “Into what therefore were you baptized?” We, like Paul in this example, will not deny that others may believe in God, may have had a religious experience, or may have some attachment to God. But we must also ask the same question that Paul did. Into what were you baptized? Our answer to this question will determine the validity of our religious experience and our relationship to God, just as it did those many centuries ago.

Baptized Into Water

Jesus was himself baptized as an example for us to follow. In Mark 1:9, we read that “Jesus was baptized by John in (lit. ‘into’) the Jordan river.” This expression does not make much sense unless we also understand that baptism means “immersion” — Jesus was immersed into the waters of the Jordan River. That is why the next verse says, “When Jesus came up out of the water . . .” This example of Jesus set the pattern for all believers to follow. For example, in Acts 8:38 we read of the Ethiopian’s baptism “. . . and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch,  and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water . . .” The fact that Paul refers to baptism as a “burial” (Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12) also indicates that baptism involves a complete covering over or a total submersion into water. Of course, our answer should agree with what the New Testament says that we are to be baptized into.

Therefore, we must not simply be baptized by water or with water, but into water. Have you been baptized into water?

Baptized Into Death

Paul says in Romans 6:3-4, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ have been baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” In the same way that Jesus physically died, was buried, and raised from the dead, we spiritually die to sin, are buried in baptism, and are raised again. Our old sinful self has been crucified and we have made a complete break with our sinful past, therefore we should not sin anymore, but rather live a new life (Rom. 6:5-6). Notice that our spiritual resurrection follows, not precedes, being baptized. The correct order — death, burial, and then resurrection — must be preserved if we are to be right with God. Spiritual resurrection and renewal can only take place after baptism.

Have you been baptized into death and then raised to eternal life?

Baptized Into the Name

Jesus commanded his disciples in Matthew 28:19, “Go therefore and disciple the nations, baptizing them in (lit. ‘into’) the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you.” Acts 8:16 and 19:5 also speak of being baptized into the name of Jesus. While other passages speak of being baptized in or by the name of Jesus, baptism into the name of Jesus carries a little different meaning. It is a figure of speech for ownership, indicating that one rightfully wears the name of his owner. Notice in 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, Paul says that nobody was baptized into Paul’s name and, therefore, nobody could claim to “belong” to Paul. On the other hand, if we are baptized into Jesus’ name, then we belong to him. It also makes it clear that we do not belong to Jesus and cannot rightfully wear his name as our owner until we are baptized.

Have you entered into the realm of Christ’s ownership, having been baptized into his name?

Baptized Into Forgiveness

Peter says in Acts 2:38, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for (lit. ‘into’) the forgiveness of your sins.” Here we find the answer to the very simple question, How does one enter into the forgive- ness of one’s sins? Peter says that we enter into forgiveness through baptism. This also means that until one is baptized, one has not entered into the forgiveness of his sins. This does not mean that we are saving ourselves. Peter explains elsewhere that baptism saves us, not of our own power, but simply because we are faithfully doing what God has said in order that we may have a clear conscience (1 Pet. 3:21).

Therefore, we must be baptized in water out of obedience to God in order to receive the forgiveness of our sins. Have you been baptized into the forgiveness of your sins?

Baptized Into the Body of Christ

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:13, “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” Paul pictures the church — the group of all the saved — as a body with its many members. But how does one get into Christ’s body? While people will give many different answers to this question, there is only one Bible answer — baptized into the body! One does not enter into Christ’s body and then afterwards get baptized. Also, this means that one is outside of Christ’s body until baptized to enter into it.

Therefore, to be a member of Christ’s body, we must be baptized. Have you been baptized into the body?

Baptized Into Christ

Finally, the Bible tells us not once, but twice, that we are baptized into Christ. We have already quoted Romans 6:3-4 when noting the expression “baptized into death.” Note also Galatians 3:27, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” How do we get into Christ? Again, while many give conflicting answers, there is only one biblical answer. If you want to agree with what the Bible says on the subject, you must agree that one can enter into Christ only by being baptized into Christ. This also means that one is not in Christ until one enters into Christ through baptism. It also means that one does not get into Christ and then get baptized afterwards, as many teach.

If you believe that you are now in Christ, how did you get into him? At what point did you go from being outside of Christ to being in Christ? Have you been baptized into Christ?

Conclusion

These are not, of course, six different baptisms that the Bible is talking about. The Bible is simply telling us the six things that we are baptized into when we are properly baptized out of obedience to God.

When we are immersed into the waters of baptism, we bury our dead previous life of sin, enter under Christ’s ownership, receive the forgiveness of our sins, become members of the body of Christ, and enjoy all of the blessings of God that are to be had by those who are in Christ, having entered into him by baptism.

Waiting for the Coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ

By Dan King

In the opening chapter of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, the writer encourages these brethren to “wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 7). All of us understand this notion of “waiting.” Often we must wait in line at the check-out counter to buy groceries. We wait in line to buy tickets at the movies. We wait at the doctor’s office to be called in to our appointment (which was usually a half-hour to an hour earlier than when we are called!).

Sometimes when we wait it is not a problem of patience or understanding. The line is short, or the check-out per- son is efficient, or everyone in line has just a few things, etc. Whatever the case may be, we are not forced to wait long.

But then at other times we have to wait for a long time. Then we grow impatient, we get nervous and “antsy.” I have seen people lay the merchandise down and walk out of the store. Sometimes they even get nasty. I have also seen impatient people in the doctor’s office leave and tell the nurse at the desk that they would never be back!

Waiting takes patience. Yet, if we are busy while we wait, then the time goes by quickly and we do not notice. Some restaurants have games for the kids on the placemats; others have little game-boards right on the table. Pediatricians’ offices sometimes have a huge assortment of toys to entertain the children while they wait. Most outer offices have magazines aplenty for us to read while we wait.

Paul recognizes this idea in the text of the Christian’s wait. Idle waiting leads to impatience and frustration, and sometimes causes people to quit altogether. Here are the things that the apostle lists as important for us to do while we wait on Jesus:

1. Be enriched in utterance. In v. 5 he writes: “. . . that in everything ye were enriched in him, in all utterance and all knowledge.” As children of God, we have been enriched in utterance in several ways. First, our language ought to be more pure and enriching to those around us. Christians should never use profanity or vulgarity, cursing or swearing, for it is not appropriate to our calling: “Now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth” (Col. 3:8). Second, our speech should be happy and pleasant to those about us. We are saved from our sins! We have heaven as our hope! God loves us and is caring for us! Certainly we should talk like people for whom these things are true. None of us likes to be around people who are morose and unpleasant, negative and critical, why would we think others would want to be around us if we are this way? Our speech should be a blessing to those who hear us: “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one” (Col. 4:6).

2. Be enriched in knowledge. Paul also states that we ought to be “enriched in him, in . . . all knowledge” (v. 5). While we await the return of our Lord, we need to be grow- ing in knowledge. Peter wrote: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and for ever” (2 Pet. 3:18). This is, in itself, a life-long enterprise which, sad to say, some of us have never yet begun. The key to our desire for growth is an appreciation of the word “enriched” used in this phrase. We are “enriched” by our gain in knowledge. We are “enriched” by our growth in spiritual wisdom. Some people are enriched by an inheritance of wealth; others are enriched by working hard and saving; still others are enriched by successful business enterprises. But we are never more enriched than when we grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ! The problem is, however, that the riches of Christ are unsearchable (Eph. 3:8) to the untrained eye, and completely hidden from the fleshly man (Col. 2:2-3). Yet they are the only true riches (Matt. 6:19-20)!

3. Live blamelessly. Paul continues in v. 8: “Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” What a tremendous challenge! To attempt to live before God blameless in Christ! Now, admittedly, we are all going to have need of God’s “confirmation” described in the first part of the verse. At times we will err and commit sin, and thus have need of the cleansing blood of the Savior to complete the work. Yet we should see it as a “race set before us” which we run “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Heb. 12:1-2). Or, as Paul put it elsewhere: “Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on, if so be that I may lay hold on that for which also I was laid hold on by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forget- ting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before. I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded . . .” (Phil. 3:12-15).

4. Live in fellowship. In v. 9 Paul further admonishes the Christians at Corinth to abide in the fellowship into which they were called. Our fellowship in Christ is both with God and with one another in the body of Christ, the church: “If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7).

 

The sweet fellowship of the church is a blessing which the negligent and unfaithful miss in this world. But ultimately they miss the greatest blessing of all: fellowship with God. Perhaps they never miss it because they have not truly enjoyed it. But, just consider the fellowship which you have had with your best friend in this world, and imagine for a moment that you had never known them. You would never have missed them had you never known them, it is true, but surely you can realize that you would have missed out, knowing them now as you do! So it is with fellowship with God and the church. You may never miss it if you have never had this sweet friendship, but you have certainly missed out! Every faithful child of God will continue steadfastly in fellowship: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).5. Remain united in Christ. At v. 10 the apostle presents the church with a great challenge as she “waits for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.” This is the challenge of unity within the fellowship of which he has just spoken: “Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment”. Here he makes three demands: (1) Speak the same thing; (2) No divisions; (3) Be perfected together in mind and judgment. This is no small order! Certainly it will keep us all busy as we “wait for the Lord”!

Thinking About the Family

By Greg Litmer

What is the foundational unit of society as designed and created by God? The answer to that question is the family. In Genesis 2 we read some of the specifics of the creation account given in chapter 1. Included in Genesis 2 is the beginning of the family with Eve being created as a suitable companion for Adam and the two of them being brought together and joined together by God. They were given the charge to “be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth.” (Gen. 1:28). In this we see the formation of the basic unit of society.

It has always been true that the welfare of man on earth has risen and fallen with the recognition of the importance of that basic family unit. I say that because the emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual needs of every individual begin to be met in that family relationship as God designed it. It is in the home that the most important truths must be instilled. It is in the home that respect and love for God as the Creator, Sustainer, and Ruler must be formulated. It is in the home that the principles of right and wrong, respect for authority, ethical standards, and personal responsibility must be taught. This truth is found in both the Old and New Testaments. Deuteronomy 6:6-7, tells us, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Ephesians 6:4 puts it so simply, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Anytime, and to the same degree, that the most important truths of life fail to be taught in the home, society as a happen in society seem to make their way into the church sooner or later. No thinking Christian can deny that the general breakdown of the family unit in our society has begun to manifest itself more frequently within the body of Christ. We are seeing more unhappy families, more unruly children with no interest in spiritual things, more abuse of different kinds, more worldliness, more divorce. We, whose responsibility it is to shine forth as lights in the world (Matt. 5:16), are in many instances allowing the world to exercise the greater influence.

What can be done? There is only one answer to the problems so many of us face in our families today. We must follow the blueprint of the architect of the family, God. He designed it. He created it. If anyone would learn how to be a better husband, provider, father, and companion, let that person turn to God’s word. All of the principles and precepts needed to function in every relationship we sustain within the family are there. Is it the desire of a woman to learn to be a godly wife, a mother, a best friend to her spouse? Then let her study God’s word and find every answer that she needs within its pages. So a son or daughter wants to be the very best son or daughter they can be, the very best person they can be? Such will not happen by following the example of the world. It will hap- pen by learning and clinging to God’s Word. David wrote in Psalm 119:9, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

Too many of us today are looking in the wrong places and to the wrong sources for the answers we need to have happy families.

Even Barnabas Was Carried Away

By Connie W. Adams

We are first introduced to Barnabas when this man of Cyprus sold a piece of property in Jerusalem to help relieve needy brethren (Acts 4:36-37). We next meet him in Acts 9:26-28 when he stood up for Paul in Jerusalem when the disciples were afraid of him because of his history of persecuting the church. The church at Jerusalem sent him to Antioch where he rejoiced to see the grace of God at work there “and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith: and much people was added to the Lord” (Acts 11:22-24). Then this good man went to Tarsus to find Saul and bring him back to Antioch that together they might work to build up the church at that place.

The name Barnabas meant son of exhortation or encouragement. His other name, Joseph, was related to the notion of prophecy and there is a hint of eloquence in the term. His demeanor reflects a character given to standing up for those who were misunderstood and giving them a chance to succeed. Not only did he show that quality toward Paul, but also toward his cousin, John Mark. When the church at Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas forth on their first preaching journey, they took Mark with them (Acts 13:5). For some reason, Mark left them after they arrived in Asia Minor and returned to Antioch. After the Jerusalem meeting attended by Barnabas and Paul, they returned to Antioch “teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also” (Acts 15:35).

“And some days after” Paul suggested that they go again and visit the brethren whom they had helped on their first journey. Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them again. Paul opposed the plan because of Mark’s return on the last trip before the work was done. They disagreed sharply over this. “And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; and Paul chose Silas, and departed . . .” (Acts 15:39-40). It is evident that the encouragement Barnabas gave Mark was of great benefit. Paul later wrote to Timothy and said, “Take Mark and bring him with you: for he is profitable to me for the ministry” (2 Tim. 4:11). Then it was Mark who wrote the gospel of Mark. If there was ever a Barnabas party and a Paul party formed over this disagreement in judgment, there is no indication of it in the New Testament. It is a good thing they did not have the Internet back then, for the news would have spread by the next morning around the Mediterranean and brethren would have been choosing up sides. There was no element of the truth of the gospel involved in this difference of judgment. Both men continued in the Lord’s work and it did not suffer.

But there was an occasion when Barnabas was clearly wrong and the New Testament points that out. During the work of Paul and Barnabas at Antioch, Peter came and spent some time working with them. This was an inte- grated congregation. There were Jews and Gentiles in it. Peter, a Jew, was getting along famously with his Gentile brethren until certain influential Jewish brethren came up from Jerusalem. Then he “withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy” (Gal. 2:12-13). Peter had preached that “the promise is unto you and to your children and to them that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:39). At the house of Cornelius, Peter had said, “But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (Acts 10:28). Peter’s preaching was right. But at Antioch, on that occasion, his practice did not keep up with his preaching. He yielded to prejudice and pressure. He was wrong. For that reason Paul said, “I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed” (Gal. 2:11).

But “even Barnabas” was carried away in this hypocritical conduct. Special note is made of that, for it was out of character for a man who stood up for Paul and for Mark, and who was ready and willing to go to Antioch in the first place and “encourage them much” in their work for the Lord. How that sudden aloofness must have stung those Gentile brethren. Even Barnabas!

What About Us?

It is easy for us to read all this and wonder how “even Barnabas” could do such a thing. What was he thinking? Was he temporarily swayed by the strong influence of Peter? He was pretty persuasive, was he not? Or was he concerned about his standing with the brethren in Jerusalem should these aggressive Jewish brethren go back home and raise doubts about him? The Holy Spirit does not at- tempt to satisfy our curiosity. What Peter did was wrong. It was hypocritical. What Barnabas did was wrong. It too was hypocritical. Paul was right in rebuking this conduct. He was right in doing so “before them all.” It was public knowledge and the consequences were far reaching.

If “even Barnabas,” this good man known for helping and encouraging others, could be “carried away” then the rest of us ought to pay attention. “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). Peter said, “Beware lest you also fall from your own steadfast- ness, being led away with the error of the wicked” (2 Pet. 3:17). The antidote to that is in the next verse “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Preaching and practice must march in cadence. Many of our problems have come about because one has not kept up with the other. If “even Barnabas” could be “carried away” then “even”                   can do likewise. When we do, let’s pray there will be a Paul around to rebuke us and get us back on track.