Hebrews 6:1-3 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit.
‘Of repentance’ Six first principles of Christianity (continues): [3] Baptisms – there are seven baptisms in Scripture (continues): (5) Christian baptism in water (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38-41; 8:12-16, 36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; 1Cor. 1:13-17; 1Pet. 3:21). These 15 passages are all the Scriptures teaching water baptism. The element used is water and the administrator is man. Candidates are supposed to be already saved and disciples of Christ (Matt. 28:19). Water baptism testifies outwardly of an inward work and is merely a “figure” (1Pet. 3:21) and a “witness” of the change previously made in the life of a candidate through faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1Jn. 5:6-10).
Water baptism does not remit sins. This is a work of God and a gift through faith (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 10:9-10; Acts 15:8-9). It is faith in the blood of Christ that remits sins, not water administered by man (Rom. 3:24-25; Eph. 1:7; 1 Pet. 1:18-23; 1Jn. 1:7; Rev. 1:5).
Men have been and will yet be saved before and without water baptism. All Old Testament saints before John the Baptist were saved before and without water baptism. Many were saved from sin during the ministry of Christ before and without water baptism (Matt. 9:1-8; Luke 7:36-50; 18:9-14; 19:1-9; 23:43; John 4:49-53).
The “water” of the new birth of John 3:5 does not refer to literal water, but to spiritual water of the Word, as proven in John 16:3; 17:17; Ephesians 5:26; 1Peter 1:18-23; Romans 1:16 and James 1:18. These passages state that the new birth is by the Spirit and the Word of God. Water is used in a spiritual sense in John 4:14; 7:37-39, etc. Since it is used in a spiritual sense and since Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus of a spiritual birth and of “heavenly things” it is very clear that the water of John 3:5 could not refer to literal water.
To be continued…
Living the Word 