The Mode of Baptism - Church of God Jesus Christ

Baptize=baptizo (Mat 3v14,16; Mk1v8,9; Lk 3v21; Jn1v28,33)

Bapto = to dip (Lk16v24; Mk14v20; Jn13v26)

Baptism=baptisma (Mat 3v7, 20v22; Lk 3v3; Rm 6v4)

The idea that baptism is sinking (like sinking ship)[immersion only] is not found in the Bible.

The idea of "go under" used by the Baptists is not found in the account of Exodus(Israelites crossing the Red Sea; for they walked on dry stone bridge across the Red Sea. The fact that they walked on dry land(Ex14vv21, 22, 29) separate the account from the idea of immersing in water for full coverage(therefore completely wet).

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STUDY: RED SEA PARTING WAS POSSIBLE

January 23, 2004

The Washington Times reports: "Russian mathematicians have determined the legendary parting of the Red Sea that let the Jews flee Egypt was possible, the Moscow Times reported.

The study, published in the Bulletin of the Russian Academy of Sciences, focused on a reef that runs from the documented spot where the Jews escaped Egypt, which in Biblical times, was much closer to the surface, according to Naum Volzinger, a senior researcher at St. Petersburg's Institute of Oceanology, and a colleague based in Hamburg, Alexei Androsov.

The mathematicians calculated the 'strong east wind that blew all that night' mentioned in the Bible needed to blow at a speed of 67 miles per hour to make the reef, said Volzinger, who specializes in ocean phenomena, flooding and tidal waves.

'It would take the Jews -- there were 600,000 of them -- four hours to cross the 4.2-mile reef that runs from one coast to another. Then, in half an hour, the waters would come back,' he said.

D.Lim: Walking over a reef is not going under the Red Sea, on the sea bed.

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Some extra-biblical document demand a complete wet through with water freely flowing round the whole body of the baptised person. This is not achieved by immersionists wearing ornaments, belts and elastics while being immersed.

The idea of "go under" does not reflect the death of Christ � being lifted up, and the burial of Christ being set horizontally into a cave. And, of course, no body knows the mode of His ressurection, how He rose up and left the tomb.

The Bible does not teach that symbols and symbolism have to be close-match to the reality.

One eating with fingers simply does not wet his finger while dipping food into sauce or any liquid/soup. Baptism is not immersion and immersion only[no exclusivity].

Matt28v19:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them into(eis) the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost

The process of baptism is continuous. It is not just a water baptism.

In water baptism: we are to be washed for spiritual cleaniness and above all as a witness/sign to mankind and the spiritual world that we have entered into a renewing spiritual covenant with God. We declare broken bondage and contract/covenant with evil, Satan and darkness. We declare entrance into light marvelous/God. We declare restoration of close relationship with our loving God.

Just as atonement/covering of sin is ritually done with sprinkling of blood, and pouring or sprinkling water for cleansing, rather than being washed and covered with blood to symbolise completeness, baptism by/of water need not have a lot of water to cover the baptised person/believer, to completely wash him/her. It is a sign, a ritual.

The idea of a symbol gives people the impression that it has to model as close as possible to the real thing/situation. This is not demanded in ritual such as in church service, in worship, and in cutting covenants.

The Bible does not teach that symbols and symbolism have to be close-match to the reality.

Mark 7v4: (baptismos)

And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Ritual washing is not necessarily immersing with water, but pouring water over the object to be cleansed. However, it is not wrong to bathe thoroughly. At the feast of unleaven bread, Jews today would boil all their kitchenware/utensils in large tank/container of boiling water. This is immersion.

In water baptism, we call upon the believer to enter into water(eg: walking into a bath or river of water) as the baptizer caused the believer to be dipped/baptized, to enter into relationship with God. The believer is baptized upon his obedience to the command of God/Christ to enter into water as entering into cleansing and spiritual renewal, into a new and close relationship with God.

The baptizer may also pour water over his/her head to symbolise that God has received/claimed him/her through (baptism of ) water.

Read John 15v3, 5,6, 16; 16v1

John 13 v9:

13 v9 Simon Peter said to him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

13:10 Jesus said to him, He that is washed needs not except to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

Christ was using a ritual of washing feet to teach His disciples to take care of, to help cleansing the sins of believers in their journey to God. The normal daily washing of feet cannot cleanse a person thoroughly/completely in and out and spiritually. Note the mentioning of "but not all" referring to Judas who set his heart to betray Jesus. The washing of his feet could not cleanse him spiritually and internally. Therefore, this passage is not about physical washing and cleansing with water, but refers to a spiritual lesson, that baptism is a continuous process. We need to wash the feet of the saints, we need to help with their cleansing so that they will be completely clean and Godward, leaving sin and loving God. We help them by serving them physically and spiritually.

If this passage bears spiritual lesson and significance, the washing mentioned would bear a spiritual lesson/symbol as well. If washing previously does not cover the feet, it would mean that the previous baptism with water does not emphasise complete immersion(other the feet would have been wet and covered first).

If the feet part is taken care of later(Jn13), then the head part(cleaning the top part) was taken care of previously. So, the pouring(some would even sprinkle like the sprinkling of blood; for our spirit is sprinkled clean[Heb10v22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.]) of water over the head(ritual cleansing) signifies God�s cleansing from above. It also signifies that it is God who takes the initiation to gather His people, and to forgive them, and to accept them. Men do not take the initiation of completely cleansing their own sin. God did and does. The baptizer baptizing believers also signifies God�s initiation, rather than the person able to die to sin by himself/herself.

Baptism by fire: Going through life with testings and spiritual warfare. An ongoing process into the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Baptism by the Spirit(Mat3v11, Acts1v5): The Spirit coming upon the believers at any stage of their lives to bless them, help them, strengthen them, protect them, and enabling them.

The Spirit is the pledge of God of better things to come with the marriage of the lamb.

We see professing believers turning from God from time to time. They simply do not have the pledge of the Spirit even after having water baptism.

Anti-charismatics (often called themselves Evangelicals. In fact, all Biblical Christians are Evangelicals � people of the Good News[evangel]) claim that at the time of belief or at the time of water baptism believers have already received the Holy Spirit to enable them to call Abba Father; therefore, they are baptized by/in the Spirit. They claim there is no second or secondary experience.

But Scripture mentions again and again that the Spirit of God comes upon His servants. (Num11v29, 24v2; Judges 14v6, 19, 15v14; 1Sam10v6, 19v23; Ps51v11; Is11v2, 32v15; Eze11v5, 19, 36v27; Ac8v19,9v17, 19v2; Rm15v19; Eph5v18; Rev1v10)

More than once to Samson enabling him and other prophets.

Heb2v4, 9v14 � God gives different gifts, not just one same Spirit with one manifestation of faith.

Rm15v19; 1Thes1v5 � there is to be manifestation of the Power of the Spirit, not just a matter of faith.

1Thes1v6 � there is to be joy (termed "Holiness" by Methodists, Free Methodists, and Pentecostals).

1Pet1v2 � the Spirit sanctifies.

2Tim1v7 � there is to be boldness.

Rev22v17 � The Spirit/God and the bride/church attracts people to God and righteousness and heaven.

Baptism of the Spirit could come anytime when the Word of God reaches the elect/chosen of God.

We will also pray over believers to receive the Spirit(Acts2, 8v17, 11v15And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. v16Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

Ac19v6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.), or lay hand on them(Ac8v17; 1Tim4v14) to bless them, pray for them, and ask God to bless them with the gifts we have. But God takes the initiation, not believers.

Speaking in tongues is not the first gift of the Spirit to be received by all believers(Acts 19v6)[Pentecostalism teaches that speaking in tongues is the first sign]. God chose what to give at His timing. We simply obey and act according to His command.

[Pentecostalism teaches that belivers are put right(with enough correction, whatever that means) with God through teaching, preaching and water baptism before receiving the Spirit/gifts; like a final stamp of approval.

Charismaticism teaches that God takes initiation, knows His people, and accept His chosen while they were yet sinners, with imperfect understanding and practice of the the faith/truth.

So, accordingly, bad people, badly taught believers, even untaught people can be Christians. And we have the Vineyear Movement, and Charismatic Movements, and more to come, not to demonstrate perfect understanding and practices; but to demonstrate that God being Almighty can win as He works through broken lives, mis-understandings, wrong concepts and mal-practices. We are on our way to perfect peace[press on. Have not yet reached]. We are on our way to discard all corruption, including physical corruption/weakness. Our God is an awesome Great God. We are taught and reminded to keep our eyes and faith in God, always hoping, always loving]. How is yours? No more hoping? No more development? Really so superior to others?

Resisting and neglecting the Spirit, the gifts result in weak Christian witness, even weak faith as we see the coldness of the Baptists/immersionists, and fall away(apostasies) from Christian churches as we see the rise of Liberalism, and Conservatism.

Many claim to have studied and understood and teach.

The works of the Spirit is not adequately covered just because you have had a few text books(some not even read, but only shelved or mentioned).

Griefing the Spirit could be the first sign of spiritual death and desolation.

Praying less to God does not produce stronger faith. Asking less from God and of God does not make richer homes and churches.

Exercising less wonders and gifts does not produce more meaningful and useful Christian work.

Destroying and resisting the works of Charismatics(Christians who believe in the gifts/Baptism of the Holy Spirit) does not demonstrate Biblical truths, communion with God. (While we are yet sinners, Christ came; and God does miracles)

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Anyone may praise God and pray to Him at any time, any place.

When is it time to baptize and to receive baptism?

Whenever the new believer/s is willing to take the step of faith, to enter into covenant with God, to witness to people and the spiritual world that he/she now belongs to God Almighty.

In the Bible, we read that very few seminar, training, explanation is needed, and little time/waiting and preparation is needed before a new believer receives baptism. (eg: The eunuch on the road with Philip - Ac8vv36-38, Ananias with Saul - Ac9v18, and Paul with the Jail keeper - Ac16v33. Ac16vv14,15; 18v8).

A baptized Christian is not a Christian with adequate knowledge of the whole truth. He is saved by Grace and brought into the commonwealth of God through Grace and Faith. He has witnessed to the church, to God, and the spiritual world of his faith.

The journey of life is still long.

Having a long course before baptism does not safeguard apostasy; a pretender may always pretend.

A student of a long course may get a false impression that he/she knew it all, knew all about the faith and the truth, the true doctrine of the church, and is well equipped.

The teachers may have a false sense of security, that they have done a perfect job, and have safeguard their fold(eg: the believer now firmly rest his faith in immersion and will not teach sprinkling and other forms of baptism; he will now go to teach others this denominational doctrine. The believer will now love and fight for the KJV. The believer will now hold to the faith of an amalgamated church. The believer will not visit certain designated church organisation.)

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Speak and preach Baptism for a witness to God.

Brethren, faithfully preach the Word of God.

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