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ENCOURAGEMENT TO ETERNAL FOCUS IN UNITY AND FELLOWSHIP OF THE GOSPEL
The Right Hand Of Fellowship
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Is There a Scriptural Example Showing How to Investigate Baptism?
So one may ask just where is the Scriptural example of baptism rejected by the Holy Spirit and pattern we should follow in so doing? Consider from Scripture a model for evaluation and if necessary proper administration of baptism. Relevant questions follow each thought and are collated in the end.
Acts 19:1-7
19:1 And it came about that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed
through the upper country came to Ephesus, and found some disciples, 2 and he
said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they said
to him, "No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he
said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism."
4 And Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the
people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5 And
when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And
when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they
began speaking with tongues and prophesying. 7 And there were in all about
twelve men. NAS
Paul found “disciples” or learners of Christ. As his first question reveals he was concerned they had no outward evidence of the Holy Spirit when they believed. They followed not the New Testament pattern seen in other assemblies recognized by the Holy Spirit in exercise of spiritual gifts and empowerment received on Pentecost some twenty-six years previous.
Paul found a predicament involving baptism that was combination of two problems – neither only at the hands who administered the error or the souls of those who experienced the error. An error in baptism that is not recognized by the Holy Spirit is a two-fold error. Just like pregnancy –a man or woman under normal circumstances can’t do it alone – it takes both. In any baptism there is an administrator who follows a commission from Jesus Christ and a candidate who submits to Christ’s command to follow Him in baptism. Even though many due to theology would like to forget the importance of the administrator of the rite of baptism the candidate cannot baptize himself alone.
Here in Acts 19, first it is probable that the party who administering the baptism in following the command of Jesus acted irresponsibly apart from instruction of Jesus or the Holy Spirit leading in Jesus place. Baptism was done in a manner outside the command and intent designed and therefore without proper administration of Holy Spirit given responsibility. Baptism done outside the limits of God's design and command is without acceptance (Holy Spirit did not lead to do it that way) and therefore not approved by the Holy Spirit.
Second, there was a problem in the symbol of their baptism. Baptism today symbolizes public testimony of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the sole object of one's faith and declares purpose to walk in newness of life as dead to sin. John’s baptism though had a slightly different symbolism. John's baptism symbolized repentance in recognition of sin before God and future hope for the Messiah that God would one day send to save them. As Paul instructed these misled disciples, John told his followers whom he baptized "to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus." When initially immersed these disciples did so with the improper symbol of future hope of salvation. (This improper symbolism can apply to all who are baptized as part of works in hoping for their salvation by righteous living.) Proper baptism after Jesus arrival as the Son of God was the symbol of faith only in Jesus payment in the death, burial, and resurrection for salvation and now being dead to sin in newness of life. Thus the Holy Spirit did not recognize the initial baptism since the symbol was incorrect.
Luke’s account in Acts shows where Paul noted the two-fold error. The correction was proper baptism responsibly (“into the name of Jesus”[i] - by proper authority of the Holy Spirit within the design and command of Scripture) and with the proper symbol (“baptized” - proper design reflecting total faith in Jesus Christ work for salvation).
Using Paul's thinking in investigation one can then see a need for similar testing for proper baptism of those who would associate with our assemblies who are unlike us in faith and practice in the presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Failure to do so results in weak assemblies without Holy Spirit power in kingdom work. A difference in faith and practice triggered Paul's investigation. Notably here these disciples were not exercising the gifts of the Holy Spirit given to assemblies for the work of the kingdom in disciple - baptize - teach. This loss of God given power in kingdom work was due to their gospel as future hope rather than complete assurance in the work of Jesus Christ.
Churches who preach a corrupt gospel, allow corruption of a pure gospel, and accept corrupt symbolism of that gospel in baptism risk a lack of spiritual power in God’s kingdom work today. The saving power to all who believe is only “the gospel” of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for sin. Baptism is specifically a public testimony of that pure gospel by the believer. While churches today do not lose use of spiritual gifts as seen in Paul’s day they do lose evident convicting life changing power of the Holy Spirit when corrupting the gospel. Souls may be saved in spite of what is taught rather than because of what they teach.
From Paul’s investigation we can arrive at important principles to determine Holy Spirit approved baptism. First, Paul asked, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" NASB These disciples did not respond that they had not “believed” and Paul did not question the validity of their faith in salvation as “disciples” of Christ. Luke in the historical account calls them “disciples” meaning “learners” most often by use inferring salvation in commitment to Christ. Still, foremost then the most important question is, “Have you had the personal experience of prayer to God in repentance of sin and belief in Jesus Christ as your only way of salvation apart from any works of righteousness?”
Second, in Paul’s inquiry these disciples admit that they had not been taught about the Holy Spirit’s work Jesus promised. This no doubt refers to the indwelling spirit of spiritual birth[ii] of the third chapter of John and the gift of baptism of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost to empower[iii] and lead the disciples in place of Jesus when He returned to the Father in heaven. The answer to the disciples to this question was, “No, we have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” While indwelt with the gift of the Holy Spirit upon faith in Christ the Ephesus disciples knew of no outward expression or teaching that would have them believe they had received the Holy Spirit. Many including myself were saved without knowledge of the indwelling Holy Spirit until later when proper teaching from the Scriptures revealed this blessed truth. As Jesus said of our spiritual birth the work of Holy Spirit in salvation is without visible evidence just like the wind. No one can objectively determine the Holy Spirit is within him after trusting in Christ. The proof is outward in the expression of the power promised that the Holy Spirit would give to believers. When believers are filled with the Spirit allowing control in obedience, as the winds power is evident by its external effects, the Spirits power only then is externally evident as well.
At Ephesus someone had not responsibly followed the admonition of teaching all Jesus commanded in sharing the empowerment and work of the Comforter that came on Pentecost. Some would like to think Luke alludes to Apollos[iv] being responsible for this error that Paul found in Ephesus since in the historical account he is corrected in the previous chapter.
Several of the empowering gifts of the Holy Spirit used by New Testament pattern churches after Pentecost were done away when the Scriptures were completed[v] being called basically children’s toys to be put away when mature. They were greatly needed by the young churches until the Word was completed. The mature power of churches today is God’s Word[vi] in presentation of a pure gospel.
Since the Word of God is the power utilized by the Holy Spirit - the next question is thus, “Does the assembly you were baptized into membership follow the New Testament pattern for churches holding to God’s Word in teaching belief in the gospel as the only means of salvation? Does the assembly responsible for baptism follow the Scriptures as total rule of faith and practice in doing the kingdom work of disciple – baptize and teach?”
Third, Paul asks about the disciples’ baptism since he did not believe the problem was in their spiritual birth in Christ. He figured something must have been preventing the outward expression of the power of the Holy Spirit by spirit filled believers. The first command for all believers is – baptism. Paul demonstrates investigation of baptism of another assembly of unlike order. These disciples were not offended in this question as often seen in our tolerant diverse religious society today where tradition runs deep. A question here might be, “Do you mind of I ask about the circumstances of your baptism? Do you know about the faith and practice of the assembly responsible? Was your faith and practice the same? What was the symbolism portrayed in your immersion? Was it a public testimony of faith in Jesus Christ work in the death burial and resurrection for sin being the only way of salvation?”
Fourth, Paul teaches them about the need to correct the error of improper baptism. As mentioned above without the proper symbolism the baptism was not correct and thus not recognized by the Holy Spirit. The question thus might be, “Are you open for Scriptural teaching about baptism and its symbolism?”
Fifth, Paul correctly recommends immersion of these disciples “into the name of Jesus” or by Jesus authority and design. Paul was as a member of an assembly responsible for the ordinance of baptism. Having authority of the Holy Spirit for the responsibility of the kingdom work (disciple – baptizes – teach) these disciples are baptized in proper symbolism. Once Paul laid hands on these disciples now properly baptized, in assembly as baptized believers the Holy Spirit came upon them as recognized externally in empowerment of gifts for the kingdom work.
Before Paul’s arrival they were most likely born again, spirit baptized into the forming heavenly future assembly of Christ’s Body. They lacked spirit filling in outward obedience in exercise spiritual empowerment. Only after proper baptism were they in the New Testament pattern of Paul’s day. In application our question would be, “Are you willing to be filled with the Holy Spirit in submission to proper baptism to become part of this assembly – congregation - church - body?”
[i] It is the opinion of this author that both the phrases found in Matthew 28:19 “baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” NASB and Luke’s use of “in the name of the Lord Jesus” NASB in Acts 19:5 have the same meaning of abiding under the authority of God’s command in submitting to public immersion. It is superfluous to debate over proper distinct wording patterns at public immersions much like magicians would use “abracadabra”. The intent is to understand baptism is done only by authority from God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Father has given all authority to the Son Jesus Christ who only does the will of His Father. Jesus has left the Holy Spirit in authority in His place yet the Holy Spirit does not speak of itself but gives all glory to the Son and the Father. That authority of God has never been relinquished to churches, as many Baptist would like to teach. Churches in baptism only have responsibility to follow the command under the authority of God, which the phrase “in the name” implies.
[ii] John 3:1-9 reveals spiritual birth of salvation was available before Holy Spirit empowerment that came on Pentecost to the church. There were no outward signs (such as tongues, prophecy, etc,) of this spiritual birth as illustrated by Jesus in verse 8 using the “wind”. One can only see the changes the wind makes around them. In the same way there are external effects from the changes inward in the life of the believer that give evidence of spiritual birth.
3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Him by night, and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" 5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." NAS
[iii] John 7:37-40, Acts 1:8 and others show Jesus sharing a new dispensation or work of the Holy Spirit whereby the Spirit would empower the believers of the churches in the Kingdom work while He was in heaven. One could not say the Holy Spirit was not working at that time or did not exist by this statement. As seen in Genesis 1:2 the Holy Spirit as part of the oneness of the Godhead has been present in this separated creation from the beginning. Also in the Old Testament dispensation people were “born again” in spiritual birth. The promise that came on Pentecost was empowerment in a new work of the Holy Spirit as abiding “in” the believer. While all believers are indwelt by spiritual baptism, not all believers expressed outward physical power. As the Spirit determined those obedient in a spirit filled life often exercised special powerful gifts to assist in their witness for the kingdom’s sake.
John 7:37-40
37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.'" 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. NAS
Acts 1:8-9
8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. " NAS
1 Corinthians 12:11
11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. NASB
[iv] Acts 18:24-28
24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26 and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he helped greatly those who had believed through grace; 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. NAS
[v]1 Corinthians 13:8-13
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also have been fully known. 13 But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. NAS
[vi] 2 Timothy 3:16-17
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. NAS
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. NAS
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