Q&A: Water Baptism

John The Baptist & Water Baptism Truths

Don Gerrity Q&A: Water Baptism
The Holy Spirit

John The Baptist & Water Baptism Truths

Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and not Joseph, though Joseph was Jesus’ Earthly father. So for all intensive purposes Earthly wide, Jesus and John The Baptist were cousins; family. This is truth many do not know and it is important to understand.

John The Baptist:

“23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet cast into prison. 25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews ABOUT PURIFYING. 26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 27 John answered and said, A man CAN RECEIVE NOTHING, except it BE GIVEN HIM FROM HEAVEN. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent BEFORE HIM. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: THIS MY JOY therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I MUST DECREASE. 31 He that cometh from above is ABOVE ALL: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. 32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. 33 He that hath received his testimony hath set TO HIS SEAL that God is true. 34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. 35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given ALL THINGS into his hand. 36 He that BELIEVETH ON THE SON HATH EVERLASTING LIFE: and he that BELIEVETH NOT THE SON shall not see life; but the wrath of God ABIDETH on him.” (John 3 KJV)

 

“11 I indeed baptize you WITH WATER UNTO REPENTANCE. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY GHOST, and with fire: 12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.” Matthew 3 KJV)


John’s baptism was unto repentance, not salvation. The Bible teaches that Jesus Himself never water baptized others, only his disciples did. Yet, we have pulpits teaching people that Jesus water baptized others and so it must be a requirement of salvation. It is right there in the second verse of John 4! The Jews repenting asked God for mercy and confessed their sinfulness in water baptizing for cleansing. Of course, the Pharisee rulers thought as themselves as completely righteous. John actually called them out to their face as ‘vipers’ in Matthew 3.

“When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (Though Jesus himself 👉baptized not👈, but his disciples)” (John 4:1-2 KJV)

Why didn’t Jesus Himself baptize with water?

Because He did not want people thinking that the water baptizing is what saves a person. The water baptizing was a sprinkling of the person’s acknowledgement of their sins and an outward expression of them coming to realize that Law following will not make them righteous nor Heaven bound. Water baptizing was an outward expression of the salvation they received when the believed Jesus as the foretold Messiah to come (John 3:18). When the people came to believe this, it was a change of mind in how to be in right standing with God.

Why did Jesus insist on being baptized by John?

Because Jesus had to fulfill ‘all righteousness’ (Matthew 3: 15). Jesus identified Himself with those He came to redeem; sinners. Jesus had to be without sin (and was without sin) to become the once for all final blood atoning sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10) for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Yet, Jesus never water baptized others, only his disciples did the water baptizing because Jesus had not yet been put on a cross for the atonement. It was unto repentance. When the person BELIEVED ON CHRIST, that is when they became eternally saved by Baptism of The Holy Spirit (John 3:14-18, 6:37-40). And the belief came before the water baptizing and not the other way around.

John the Baptist’s water baptism was a ‘cleansing of’ the people’s sins and was a preparation for the one foretold to come, The Messiah, who would permanently cleanse the people’s sins. It was UNTO repentance, a change of mind about how to be pure with God and their need for a saviour. That is why the Pharisees were asking John about the ‘purity’ in Matthew 3.

It was not about how to be eternally saved but was a preparing of the people for the soon coming Messiah. John knew the Messiah well! Jesus was his cousin! Jesus’ mother Mary, when pregnant with Jesus, went to visit John’s mother who had become pregnant while in her barren years. She too was chosen by God and knew it. So John was raised likely knowing about Jesus having a special purpose. John was given a sign by God for him to identify who the Messiah is. John went to the wilderness and starting preaching “…repent repent!”. He knew it was his time to start doing that because the Messiah’s ministry was soon coming. When the Holy Spirit came down as a dove upon Jesus, John knew it was Him. And he knew Him, as he was his cousin. John knew Jesus is the only begotten Son of God.

And Jesus started His ministry by going to John and getting water baptized to fulfill the requirement of cleansing (even though Jesus had no sin) to fulfill all  righteousness. This was required for the blood atoning sacrifice Jesus would soon make on the cross; just as the Jews had sacrificed animals ‘without blemish’ under the Law of Moses (Exodus 12:5). Animal sacrifices for the sins of the Jews under the Law of Moses only temporarily covered their sins until Messiah would come and was a foreshadowing of Christ on the cross paying for the sins of the whole world (Hebrews 9 and 10).

Some Truths to see here…

1. Water Baptism is not what saves.

Only belief on Christ as Messiah and His once for all blood atonement sacrifice for sins on the cross, paying for all the sins of the whole world, dying and rising again is required to be placed in right standing of righteousness with God (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Eph. 1:13-14, John 3, John6, 2 Cor. 5:17-21, Colossians 2, etc.). Look at the thief on the cross, he was not water baptized yet he is in paradise with Christ because, HE BELIEVED Jesus was the Messiah…nothing else required!

2. Jesus never water baptized others.

Only his disciples water baptized as an outward expression of the cleansing that took place FIRST, when a person believed on Christ and was Baptized by the Holy Spirit and received eternal life, born again from above in the Spirit (John 3:1-6).


3. Even AFTER THE CROSS, Water Baptism does not save nor is required for salvation.

In every passage where baptism is mentioned after the cross, it is always belief in Christ that saved a person and THEN they were water baptized as an outward expression of what already took place from the moment they believed (Eph. 1:13-14, John 3:18). Is water baptism wrong? No. It is an outward expression in celebration of a person’s salvation. It is just that water baptism is not a requirement of salvation.

Is Water Baptism A ‘Requirement’ of Salvation?

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The Holy Spirit

Baptism is not a REQUIREMENT OF SALVATION through Christ Jesus. There are pulpits that teach that WATER baptism is required for salvation. Although Water Baptism is something for a Christian to do, it is something done AFTER a person has become a believer in Christ as an OUTWARD expression of becoming saved by BELIEF ALONE in Jesus, the Christ, God in the flesh and the only atonement for sin that He provided on that cross 2000 years ago.

Let’s go through some of the Scriptures people use in stating that Water Baptism is required and see the truth.

John 3:18, Ephesians 1:13-14, Ephesians 2:8-9

Salvation Is By Belief On Christ Crucified, Died and Risen Alone

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1:13-14 KJV)

This passage of Scripture by Apostle Paul is a foundational truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and agrees with Jesus’ own words in John 3 where He defines whether a person is saved or condemned based on their belief or disbelief on Christ Jesus:

“He that BELIEVETH ON HIM is not condemned: but he that BELIEVETH NOT is condemned ALREADY, because he hath NOT BELIEVED in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:18 KJV)

Ephesians 1:13-14 shows us that a person is SAVED from the very moment of BELIEF. Water Baptism is not required. Baptism of the SPIRIT is required. And we receive this newly created Spirit by BELIEF on Christ alone for Salvation and justification with God. Apostle Paul goes on to state that Salvation is not of ourselves nor by being a good person nor by any religious ritual.

“For by grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it is the GIFT OF GOD: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

Acts 2:36-38

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO? 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 2:36-38 KJV)

The Jewish people were just told by Peter that the crucified the actual foretold Messiah and savior of the world. In reply, realizing it as truth they asked WHAT SHALL WE DO? Some are taking this question and making it ‘What shall we do to be saved?’, but that is NOT what the text shows. An important distinction to observe. If a person sees this question as ‘what must we do to be saved?”, then they read into the text that water baptism is REQUIRED for Salvation but that cannot be the case because if you read further in Acts 8, it shows the Holy Spirit coming with laying on of hands BEFORE water baptism (Acts:17). And we also read this in Acts 8,

“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 8:12 KJV)

They first believed and then were water baptized. Yet, it says no where in this passage that the WATER baptism was a requirement of Salvation.

Acts 16:30-31

“And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED, and thy house.” (Acts 16:30-31 KJV)

How much clearer can it be than this? Salvation is by BELIEF on Christ alone for Salvation.

1 Corinthians 1:17

“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.” (1 Corinthians 1:17 KJV)

This is Apostle Paul who stated this! If Water baptism is a requirement of Salvation, wouldn’t we see Paul stating so? Instead, we see Paul stating the opposite.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, UNLESS YE HAVE BELIEVED IN VAIN. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 KJV)

Salvation is by BELIEF on CHRIST, His atonement for our sins, His death and His rising from the dead. No water baptism is stated here by Apostle Paul.

1 Peter 3:21

“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:” ( 1 Peter 3:21 KJV)

This verse is used to support the idea that water baptism is a requirement for Salvation. Yet, what is the text in parentheses all about in this verse? Look at the words closely. It starts with ‘The LIKE FIGURE…’ and in parentheses ‘NOT the putting away of the filth of the flesh’. This is our SINS. Water baptism is NOT putting away our sins. What is then? Read on in parentheses and it reads next, ‘a good conscience toward God’, and how do we get that? Read on, ‘BY THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST.’

This is all about believing on Christ alone for Salvation. It is all about the Baptism of the Spirit that happens to a person from the very moment of belief as Apostle Paul taught in Ephesians 1:13-14 (see above).

Romans 1:16

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one THAT BELIEVETH; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16 KJV)

Again Apostle Paul stating clearly that Salvation is by Belief on Christ.

1 Timothy 2:5

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV)

This is a powerful verse. Jesus paid it all and we are not saved by ANYTHING we DO, including water baptism. You must realize that not only can no other person saves us but that we cannot save ourselves neither! Belief on Jesus Christ crucified for atonement of our sins is what saves us. HE is the ONLY mediator between us humans and God the Father.

We cannot even be our own mediators!

Trying to be our own mediators is the same as following the Law to save us and following the Law of Moses saves no one. Do not misunderstand that statement. Yes, the Law of Moses (including the Ten Commandments) is Holy and true. The point is that following the Ten Commandments in our own self righteousness will never MAKE US HOLY. We are only made the righteousness of God, IN CHRIST(2 Corinthians 5:21).

Is Being Water Baptized Wrong or Unscriptural?

Water baptism is Scriptural. Stating that it is a requirement for justification with God is not. I am not saying that believers should not be water baptized. Being water baptized is an outward expression of what happened when we became saved by BELIEF ALONE in Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world.

It is also a statement, announcement and celebration of a BIRTH. A BIRTH OF THE SPIRIT in us. Our newly created spirit of God, that we BECAME from the very moment of belief on Christ. By BELIEF on Christ we were changed from being UNRIGHTEOUS (and already condemned in our sins headed for hell) to being the very RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD, in Christ. (John 3:15-18, 2 Corinthians 5:21). A believer is SEALED by the Holy Spirit for all eternity from the very moment of BELIEF.

Water Baptism is not a REQUIREMENT of Salvation. BELIEF ON CHRIST and the only atonement for our sins through Jesus crucified is the only requirement.

Does That Mean What We Do, And How We Live After Salvation Does Not Matter?

Of course not. We are to do good works after we are saved. We are to help others and love others as Christ loved us. It is okay to perform a religious act that lines up with the fact that Salvation is not by works but by belief and faith in Christ’s once for all sacrifice for our sins (Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 10:10).

Good works are, well, good right? Being a good person in love for others is good right? Celebrating Christ in a religious act is also good. However, we should never make these things we DO as a requirement of our Salvation. We do them in great gratitude of experiencing God’s love for us. We do them as Christ who lives within us does good works through us.

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