1. Arguments for or against "Baptismal Regeneration"
"eis" Their argument is that no Lexicon translates it "because of"
John Pickering = into, on, to, towards, against, upon, because of, with respect to, among, through, for.
Liddell and Scott’s Greek-English Lexicon = in regard to, in relation to
This would mean that the remission of sins is related to baptism, but not necessarily the purpose of baptism.
Arndt and Gingrich’s A Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament also lists the causal use of eis (because of) as one of the lesser used, but nevertheless legitimate, meanings of the word.
In addition to these works on the Greek language, there is other evidence which cannot be ignored: the casual use of eis is found in the New Testament itself. Luke 11:32 says, "For they repented at (eis with the sense of "because of’) the preaching of Jonah." Romans 4:20 says, "He staggered not at the promise of God through (eis) unbelief." Evidently, theA translators of the King James Version were aware of this usage.
The second problem in Acts 2:38 is the relationship of the two verbs “repent and be baptized.” Some argue that they must be taken together as two things necessary for salvation. However, it is clear that there is a break in the thought between the two verbs in the Greek text which is not preserved in the English translation. The first verb (repent) is in the second person plural: “repent ye”, but the second one (be baptized) is in the third person singular: “let each one be baptized.” Why is there a change unless the two thoughts are to be separated? “Repent” is in the plural because it is directed to the whole crowd present that day. “Be baptized” is singular because it is addressed to each one who has repented.
The fundamental question, however, is not whether Acts 2:38 can be understood as agreeing with the position of salvation by faith alone, but whether the contention that baptism is necessary for salvation can be reconciled with the rest of the New Testament. Just a few of the problems with this view will be cited.
(1) The thief on the cross next to Jesus was saved without baptism (Luke 23:43).
Dr. Guy Bellamy: talking to a leader with the Church of Christ
"What about the thief on the cross?"
C.C. "You can’t prove he had not been baptized before they nailed him to the cross."
Guy, "You are right. But I can prove, though he had been baptized many times, he was still a thief. The Bible says so. But he was different when he looked to Jesus and trusted Him."
(2) The Gentiles were told in Acts 10:43, “Whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While they were listening to the preaching of Peter, the Gentiles believed in Christ, received the Spirit, and spoke in tongues (Acts 10:46). All of this occurred before Peter asked if anyone would deny their right to be baptized. Who can denyA that receiving the Holy Spirit is proof of one’s salvation?
(3) Paul clearly states in 1 Corinthians 1:17 that baptism is not part of the gospel when he says: “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel.” Baptism is clearly not a part of the gospel, according to Paul. He adds, “I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius” (1 Cor. 1:14). These statements are totally incompatible with the idea of baptismal regeneration.
(4) If this were not enough, Paul’s two great works on the doctrine of salvation, Romans and Galatians, give the most detailed discussions of salvation found in the Bible. Both conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law (Rom. 3:22-24, 28; 5:1; Gal. 2:16). In fact, the entire fourth chapter of Romans was written to show that Abraham was declared righteous by faith before he was circumcised (Rom. 4:9-11). Circumcision was the sign of obedience to the new covenant. If the analogy is followed, it is clear that baptism is not a part of salvation, but a sign that one has salvation.
Since baptism is a work which one can perform, salvation by faith plus baptism amounts to salvation by works, and this is in direct contradiction to the grace of God. Paul says, ’Therefore, it is of faith that it might be according to grace" (Rom. 4:16), and "Whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace" (Gal. 5:4).
The conclusion of the whole matter is:
‚ It is a dangerous matter to base one’s entire interpretation of the Bible on one word which has numerous meanings.
‚ Difficult passages should be interpreted in the light of the whole Bible.
If this principle is followed, one will not come up with interpretations which contradict the whole spirit and content of the Scriptures.
#2 Who should be baptized?
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Acts 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Acts 10:45 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.
Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
#3 How should a person be baptized.
“baptizo” means to submerge, to dip, to plunge under.
John 3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
Acts 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Mark 1:10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
Rom. 6:3-8
#4 When? When he has repented of his sins and has believed in Jesus. At.2:4; 8:12,36-38; 16:25-34
#5 Why?
1. Commanded, Mk.16:15
Mat 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:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
2. Example of Jesus
#6 What does baptism picture? Rom 6:3-5
#7 Authority (Mt.28:16) Pat Boone baptized movie stars in his swimming pool. Did he have authority to do that? Did he need authority to do that? Who can and how do you get permission?
Some people argue that Phillip baptiaed the Ethiopian without church authority but Phillip was a deacon who reported back to the local church as is seen in the following verses.
Phillip, Act 6
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
#9 Membership, Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
#10 What is the purpose of Baptism?
* Baptism guarantees a saved membership, and gives us a better church.
“Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47).
How do we guarantee a saved membership? Who do we recognize saved people and candidates for baptism?
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).
* Baptism guarantees glad Christians, Acts 2:41 Glad about Gods Word.
* Baptism guarantees Christians that love the Lord, John 14:23
* Baptism guarantees obedient Christians
“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).
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Mat 28:19, 20).
Spurgeon:
“It is my first public declaration that a thing which looks to be unreasonable and seems to be unprofitable, being commanded by God, is law, is law to me. If my Master had told me to pick up six stones and lay them in a row I would do it, without demanding of him, ‘What good will it do?’ Cui bono? Is no fit question for soldiers of Jesus. The very simplicity and apparent uselessness of the ordinance should make the believer say, ‘Therefore I do it because it becomes the better test to me of my obedience to my Master.’” When you tell your servant to do something, and he cannot comprehend it, if he turns round and says, “Please, sir, what for?” you are quite clear that he hardly understands the relation between master and servant. So when God tells me to do a thing, if I say, “What for?” I cannot have taken the place which Faith ought to occupy, which is that of simple obedience to whatever the Lord hath said. Baptism is commanded, and Faith obeys because it is commanded, and thus takes her proper place.
* Baptism guarantees rejoicing Christians
“And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39).
* Baptism guarantees committed Christians
Dr. M.R. DeHaan put it this way:
In the early days of the church. . . , baptism was a declaration that the believer was definitely identifying himself with that group of people who were called Christians and were despised and hated. To be a Christian meant something. To identify yourself with those who were called Christians meant persecution, maybe death; it meant being ostracized from your family, shunned by friends. And the one act which was the final declaration of this identification was BAPTISM. As long as a man gathered with Christians, he was tolerated, but when once he submitted to baptism, he declared to all the world, I BELONG TO THEIS DESPISED GROUP, and immediately he was persecuted, hated, and despised. In baptism, therefore, the believer entered into the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ. A person might be a believer and keep it strictly a secret and thus avoid unpleasantness and suffering, but once he submitted to public baptism he had burned his bridges behind him. . .” (Pamphlet, Water Baptism, p. 27).
* Baptism guarantees God pleasing Christians, Acts 2:38, 41, 47
“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to 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, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mat 3:13-17).
