Water Baptism  vs. Spiritual Baptism

There is a distinct difference between being "strong local church" and "local church ONLY" . There also is ONE BODY of Christ consisting of ALL believers.

Eph. 1: 22-23  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

John 2:18-21 Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?

19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

21 But he spake of the temple of his body.

This body that Christ speaks of in John 2 doesn't start till the resurrection......... not with John the Baptist.  

If John the Baptist started the church then, then who started the church referred to in Acts 7: 37-38

This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.
38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

There is also a SPIRITUAL baptism which is concurrent with salvation.   I Cor. 12:13  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.    It does not say...For by one preacher are we all baptized into the local church.

Romans 6:4: Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Some will condemn a person or a denomination for making the word "baptism" in the Bible to mean  "water" every time. While at the same time, they see the word "church" in the Bible, they automatically say it means the "local church".  You must read the context. The context will always determine the meaning. Not the Greek and Hebrew.

If the "Local Church ONLY" position is adhered to and the "church" is never held to be the Body of Christ of ALL believers, three significant heresies arise: BAPTISMAL REGENERATION, SPLIT RAPTURE, and CHURCH SALVATION.  

1) BAPTISMAL REGENERATION

Many problems arise from denying Spiritual baptism and inserting water to every mention of baptism.

1 Cor 12:12-14 For as the body is ONE, and hath many members, and all the members of that ONE body, being many, are ONE body: so also is Christ. For by ONE SPIRIT are we ALL BAPTIZED into ONE body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into ONE Spirit. For the body is not ONE member, but many.

The explanation to eliminate Spiritual baptism into ONE Spiritual body is to say that the "one" body is a "type" or "institutional" application to all the local bodies. Totally overlooked is that the number ONE is also applied to the Spirit. Why is this not referring to "institutional local" Spirits? It's the same phrase, in the same context, in the same passage! Briders will not allow the word "church" to have two meanings in the entire Bible, but they force two meanings on the word "one" in the same sentence. How inconsistent!

But it gets WORSE. Of the "ONE body" it is said, "SO ALSO IS CHRIST." The comparison is direct, if the body is "institutional", consistency demands that "CHRIST" also be institutional, or there's no reason to say "so also is"! If this passage is referring to millions of local churches, instead of ONE Spiritual church, then there should be millions of local Christ's, instead of ONE.

It is amazing how someone will refuse to allow for the "one baptism" (for the unity of the SPIRIT), in Eph 4:5 under the excuse that it would be TWO baptisms, but they'll allow for "one body" to be MILLIONS of local bodies.

Notice which view uses the scriptural terms "one, Spirit, baptism, body" and which view adds words to fit their interpretation "water, local, institutional, type". It is not water baptism by a Pastor into a local church, it is baptism into ONE body by the SPIRIT.

Rom 6:3-8 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized INTO Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For IF we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his RESURRECTION: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of SIN might be DESTROYED, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also LIVE with him:

Even though this says "baptized into Jesus Christ", Briders insist it is "into water", equating Jesus Christ with the local water and sewage company. Wrong again. It's what it SAYS.

Whatever baptism this is, it is ESSENTIAL for RESURRECTION, DESTRUCTION of SIN, and LIVING with CHRIST. These things are true of Spiritual baptism into the body of Christ, but not of baptism into water by a preacher. It says "IF we have been planted ... we shall be also in the likeness of his RESURRECTION." The likeness of his resurrection is OUR resurrection. SIN is destroyed from this "baptism into death" which allows us to LIVE with HIM. Our LIFE in CHRIST is a result of this baptism. Thus Briders need to change the song to "We have heard the joyful sound, WATER SAVES, WATER SAVES!"

Col 2:12-13 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are RISEN with him through the FAITH of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having FORGIVEN you all trespasses;

Again this baptism is REQUIRED to be RISEN from the dead through FAITH. It QUICKENS us together with him, and accomplishes FORGIVENESS of our TRESPASSES. This is "the operation of God", not water baptism.

Gal 3:27-28 For as many of you as have been baptized INTO CHRIST have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Again, this baptism puts one "INTO CHRIST" , not into water. Those baptized here have "put on Christ". This leads into the:

2) SPLIT RAPTURE

1 Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead IN CHRIST shall rise first:

If the body of Christ of ALL believers by baptism of the Spirit is eschewed and every instance is local church and water baptism, this REQUIRES a split Rapture. We have seen that it is baptism which puts one "IN CHRIST". If that is referring to water baptism, only those who have been duly water baptized (the dead IN CHRIST) will rise! Those who are not correctly baptized members of local churches, will be left behind, and can take the mark of the beast and be DAMNED and lose their salvation. Now, if SPIRITUAL baptism is what puts ALL believers "IN CHRIST", ALL believers are eligible for the Rapture.

3) LOCAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP SALVATION

The expression "IN CHRIST" refers to salvation. Here are a few verses to show that is beyond dispute:

1 Cor 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

Here, not only those in the local church at Corinth, but ALL that in EVERY place call on Jesus, are IN CHRIST.

1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam ALL die, even so IN CHRIST shall ALL be made alive.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if ANY man be IN CHRIST, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Tim 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto SALVATION through faith which is IN CHRIST Jesus.

If it is water baptism into a local church which puts one into the body of Christ (IN CHRIST), then it is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY to be a member of a local church to be SAVED.

Gal 3:26-27 For ye are all the children of God by faith IN CHRIST Jesus. For as many of you as have been BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST have put on Christ. (Even if the term "in Christ" does not always refer to salvation, it does HERE in the context of being baptized into Christ.)

Being "baptized into Christ" (which Briders assert is water baptism into the local church) is what makes us "children of God". This MUST be SPIRITUAL baptism into the SPIRITUAL body. One CANNOT even be a child of God (much less a member of the body of Christ) without this baptism.

Only a SPIRITUAL baptism into ONE SPIRITUAL body, in addition to water baptism and local churches, can explain all these inconsistencies and eliminate BAPTISMAL REGENERATION, a SPLIT RAPTURE, and CHURCH SALVATION.

BAPTIST BRIDER is BALONEY!!!

NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE!?

 Gal 3:27-28 For as many of you as have been baptized INTO CHRIST have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE: for ye are ALL ONE in Christ Jesus.

If this is referring to WATER baptism into the LOCAL church, how can there be neither male nor female?

If there is "neither male nor female" in the local church, how do you determine who can marry who? How do you discern and rebuke homosexuals? Who wears the pants and who wears the skirts? How do you have women "keep silent in the church", if there is neither male nor female? How do you know if the Bishop is a male or a female, if there is "neither male nor female"?

Come on you Briders and local church ONLYers. Take a look at your wives and come to your senses. She is a FEMALE! Is she part of the same local church that you are?

The baptism referred to here cannot be water baptism into the local church. It is Spiritual baptism into the Body of Christ, where there indeed is neither male nor female!

BAPTISM SAVES?

One thing that cannot be denied is that BAPTISM puts a believer "INTO CHRIST", "INTO JESUS CHRIST", and "IN ONE BODY", (since it's "the CHURCH which is his BODY", also "INTO THE CHURCH").

Here's the absolute scriptural PROOF (check yourself for the greater context):

Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were BAPTIZED INTO JESUS CHRIST

1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all BAPTIZED INTO ONE BODY

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST

Eph 1:22 23 the CHURCH, Which is his BODY

These show that the above expressions are definitely referring to SALVATION:

1 Cor 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so IN CHRIST shall all be made alive.

2 Cor 5:17 Therefore if any man be IN CHRIST, he is a new creature:

2 Tim 3:15 ... the holy scriptures ... make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is IN CHRIST JESUS.

Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith IN CHRIST JESUS.

No doubt from the above, BAPTISM puts one IN CHRIST, hence BAPTISM SAVES.

The difference is that there is a PHYSICAL baptism in WATER, which is a FIGURE of the above baptism, which is a SPIRITUAL baptism.

1 Cor 12:13 For by one SPIRIT are we all BAPTIZED into one BODY

John 1:33-34 ... he that sent me to baptize with WATER ... the same is he which baptizeth with the HOLY GHOST... this is the Son of God.

Eph 4:3-5 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the SPIRIT in the bond of peace. There is one BODY, and one SPIRIT ... One Lord, one faith, one baptism, (the "one" things here are all to keep the unity of the SPIRIT, they are not the physical figures).

SPIRITUAL baptism puts a believer into the SPIRITUAL BODY of CHRIST. Physical baptism (water) can be used to put one into the physical body, the local church.

SO ALSO IS CHRIST

1 Cor 12:12-13 For AS the body is ONE, and hath many members, and all the members of that ONE body, being many, are ONE body: SO ALSO IS CHRIST. For by ONE Spirit are we all baptized into ONE body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into ONE Spirit.

Briders insist that the word "church" through the Bible must always have the same definition, that of a local assembly only. Certainly then, they would not claim that the word "one" used here six times in the same context, isn't the same.

The body is one, the members are one, the Spirit is one, and Christ is one. How many is one? Can't Briders count to one? There is obviously more than one local body, so the clear application is to the one SPIRITUAL BODY of all Christians (that is seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus SPIRITUALLY).

The common Brider baloney is that the passage is referring to the local church institutionally, or generically. Okay, let's apply that logic to the passage:

If the ONE church (the body) is only a local assembly, and the passage is referring to lots of local assemblies institutionally, then the ONE SPIRIT is also only a local Spirit, and is referred to institutionally as lots of local Spirits. After all, "For by ONE SPIRIT are we all baptized into ONE BODY." One is used the same way in both cases, it's in the same context, even the same sentence.

Moreover, it makes a direct comparison, "AS the body is ONE ... SO ALSO IS CHRIST." If there are lots of local bodies that are spoken of institutionally here as ONE BODY, then SO ALSO IS CHRIST. There are lots of local Christs spoken of institutionally as Christ.

WHICH CHURCH IS THE BRIDE?

If the church is the Bride of Christ, which church is it? The Baptist church? Which Baptist church? All of them? Do they have to be called 'Baptist', or do they have to believe like a Baptist? How much "like" a Baptist? What doctrines must they agree upon? Which doctrines can they disagree on? If you can't answer those questions, you have no business telling anybody they're not part of the "Bride".

The church at Corinth spoke in tongues and violated every rule in the book (literally) in that practice. They resembled modern Charismatics more than Baptists, yet God called them a church and a body. If the bride is the church, they are in it.

How about the churches at Galatia? Some of them were Judaizers who believed in circumcision to keep their salvation. Yet, God called them churches. If the church is the bride, they qualify.

The church at Ephesus lost their first love. Satan had a seat in the church at Pergamos, and they followed the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. The church at Thyatira had a woman teacher. The church at Sardis was dead. The church at Laodicea was lukewarm and kept Jesus on the outside knocking to get in.

Were they part of the bride of Christ? God called them churches, if the church is the bride, they make it.

Apparently God doesn't make the bride of Christ as exclusive as many Baptists do.

WHAT BODY WAS PAUL BAPTIZED INTO?

1 Cor 12:13 For by one Spirit are WE ALL BAPTIZED into ONE BODY ...

Paul says he was baptized into the same (one) body as the Corinthians. Acts 9:3, 8, 10, 18, 19 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and ... they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; ... 18 And immediately there fell from (Paul's) eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 ... Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

But Acts says Paul was baptized in Damascus.

That creates quite a problem. Was Paul baptized into the Corinthian church in Acts 9?

He didn't go to Corinth for several years! Moreover Acts 18 indicates that Paul STARTED the church in Corinth! Quite a trick to get baptized into a body that didn't yet exist that Paul himself would start years later!

Obviously, the baptism Paul spoke of to the Corinthians cannot have been his water baptism. It must have been a Spiritual baptism - just like it says!

 Rom. 12:4-5  For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

Paul uses the word we, including himself with the church at Rome.  The following verses show that Paul used the same word word to include himself with the church at Corinth. Which is it?

 1 Cor. 12:12-13 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

1 Cor. 10:16-17 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

 

Pastor Jeremy Ballinger