I recently wrote an article on Patheos entitled, 3 Reasons Why It Doesn’t Make Sense to Re-baptize in Jesus’ Name. As I mentioned in that post, I wrote an article on my personal blog revivingthegospel.com called, Is Water Baptism Required for Salvation? In each of these posts, I basically discuss water baptism vs. Spirit baptism. Later, I received a comment on the latter from a reader named “Bob.”
Unfortunately, I don’t have time to manage individual comments, especially when they’re the same typical responses which have no substance or add nothing to the discussion. So, I’d like to address it openly for anyone else who might believe in the same manner.
So, here we go. Bob arrogantly stated:
“Very sorry,this is a very stupid ,heretic,misinterpretation, dislocation, (or misrepresentation)and misunderstanding of scriptures and is worsened by a mix up of languages meanings(babel). Why did 3000 people accept to be dipped in water and not any other liquid as led by the Holy Spirit. Secondly story of Cornelius and gentiles first received Holy Spirit baptism Power) and soon afterwards were commanded to get Water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus. Thirdly nobody in all bible translations known to us today has ever been baptised in the name of the Farther and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. That is the error started by Roman Cstholics and copied by others til even Adventists and Pentecostals.They even go off the scripture way by saying in the name of god the fatther,god the son,and god the holy spirit REALLY you call that correct baptism,?,,, Notice i wrote that all in small letters. Lastly Jesus only group is wrong because therr are many people called Jesus every where BUT one Lord Jesus Christ so true baptism in water must be in this name. It is one name NOT names. Notice also Paul met disciples of John ,the 22 who were REBAPTISED in water and recived the Holy Spirit so hoe foolish is this article.Repent and quickly go and be rebaptised all of you who read this. Thanks God bless those with spiritual eyes and ears”
I’m sure Bob means well, and I’m certain he believes he’s defending the truth. However, this way of thinking is exactly why I started writing this column. To help myself and others looking for truth, examine the thousands-year-old holy Scriptures ourselves, rather than going along with popular 500-year-old-or-less man-made traditions, additions, and misinterpretations.
Now, let’s think this through together and take it step by step.
Bob said: Very sorry,this is a very stupid ,heretic,misinterpretation, dislocation, (or misrepresentation)and misunderstanding of scriptures and is worsened by a mix up of languages meanings(babel).
My response: The definition of a heretic per Merriam Webster is: “religion : a person who differs in opinion from established religious dogma (see DOGMA sense 2) especially : a baptized member of the Roman Catholic Church who refuses to acknowledge or accept a revealed truth 2: one who differs in opinion from an accepted belief or doctrine : NONCONFORMIST”
No, I do not adhere to all established religious dogma and I definitely disagree with accepted beliefs and doctrines that cannot be confirmed or supported by the Bible or historical records. So, yes, Bob, you got me. I’m a heretic. As a result, many of my posts may be considered heresy because they don’t follow widely accepted man-made teachings. Great detective work.
Regarding misinterpretation, you didn’t mention exactly what I misinterpreted. Is it where I mentioned that John himself never said that baptism had anything to do with salvation? Is it where I quoted him directly when he explained his reason for baptizing with water? Or was it where I explained the original use and purpose of baptism by God’s people according to the Bible and current and historical accounts? Please be more specific.
Also, in case you didn’t know, the Bible wasn’t written in English. The text was written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. You only call it “Babel” or a “mix-up of languages” if you don’t know any better, which indicates you’re still on spiritual milk and should study first before calling others out and calling them stupid. Since the books of the Bible were first written in different languages, it’s imperative that we study them in those languages when possible in order to better understand the information being conveyed. If you can’t grasp the significance of that, again, it’s because you are spiritually immature and this column is not yet for you since you will continuously be at odds with it. That also goes for whomever it may apply.
Bob said: Why did 3000 people accept to be dipped in water and not any other liquid as led by the Holy Spirit.
My Response: Acts 2:41, the NIV version states:
“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.”
Where in this verse or any other part of this chapter, in either a Greek or English translation, does it state 3000 people were “dipped in water and not any other liquid as led by the Holy Spirit? ” Where exactly do you get the idea that this immersion was done with water when the whole chapter talks about baptism in the Holy Spirit/Jesus Christ? I’ll tell you where it comes from. It comes from your own mind. Christianity today is full of assumptions and traditions that are exactly my pet peeve. Zeal for the word of God is good, but many of us have zeal that isn’t based on truth which misleads others.
Bob said: Secondly story of Cornelius and gentiles first received Holy Spirit baptism Power) and soon afterwards were commanded to get Water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus.
My Response: I won’t waste too much time on this. Had you actually read and understood my post, you would have seen where I addressed this. The biblical purpose of water immersion is to maintain ritual purity or to indicate a change in spiritual status. Therefore, it would have been expected after an event such as repentance toward the Lord.
Additionally, only several days earlier, Peter had no idea he was supposed to enter a Gentile’s home. What makes you think he already understood the whole salvation process at this point? As we can see from the book of Acts and Paul’s letters, he didn’t.
Peter was human. As a human, he had to learn things just as Jesus did, and just as we all do which takes time. Hence, even if Peter was commanding Cornelius and his household to be water baptized for salvation (which he’s clearly not because they were already immersed in the Spirit indicating their union with God), we can’t be sure Peter didn’t simply give the command out of habit since water immersion was a common practice among his people.
It was a surprise to him that Gentiles were even filled with the Holy Spirit. He wouldn’t have been sure of the next steps. He most likely would have gone with what was familiar, which was water immersion for ritual cleansing or to indicate a spiritual change in status. However, none of that applies since water baptism is not done for salvation. But, it’s just something to consider for those who use this as some sort of proof text for water baptism.
Bob said: Thirdly nobody in all bible translations known to us today has ever been baptised in the name of the Farther and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. That is the error started by Roman Cstholics and copied by others til even Adventists and Pentecostals.They even go off the scripture way by saying in the name of god the fatther,god the son,and god the holy spirit REALLY you call that correct baptism,?,,, Notice i wrote that all in small letters.
My Response:
No, I don’t call that correct baptism. In fact, I haven’t said anything to that effect. It’s not even close to the message I sought to convey. If you read the Bible as insufficiently as you read blog posts, then that’s why you’re so fired up. You don’t realize that you’re confused. Christianity today is so off-base and so far from God’s heart because people like you think you know it all and your pride and stubbornness prevents you from listening to reason and sound biblical truth.
I know from experience that it will take the Holy Spirit to awaken your understanding so you can see and accept the truth. However, if your heart is prideful, and if you think you have it all figured out, you won’t be able to do this. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. None of us have it all figured out. Therefore, let’s practice humility before God and when discussing his teachings with one another.
Bob said: Lastly Jesus only group is wrong because therr are many people called Jesus every where BUT one Lord Jesus Christ so true baptism in water must be in this name. It is one name NOT names.
My Response: All of it is wrong – immersion in water, isn’t necessary to be saved, much less in a meaningless name assigned to the Savior. You should therefore put your faith in the person of Jesus the Christ, not in a literal name. To do that, you must understand who he is and what he teaches, which begins with humility, prayer, and actual Bible reading and studying.
Bob said: Notice also Paul met disciples of John ,the 22 who were REBAPTISED in water and recived the Holy Spirit so hoe foolish is this article.
My Response: I have no idea what Scripture you’re talking about here. I’m going to assume it’s Acts 9:3-7 which reads:
So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. 4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[b] and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
Again, where do you read anything about water here? They were not baptized in water they were baptized “in the name” that is, in the power, glory, person of Christ. If this isn’t the Scripture you meant, please refer me to the passage you’re speaking of.
But, here’s the thing. Some ignorance is okay as we’re all learning. But how foolish for one to try to correct someone, calling heir thoughts stupid when they haven’t studied the Scriptures themselves to properly refute the other person’s point of view?
Study to show yourself approved. In the meantime, consider learning in silence rather than misleading others with your ignorance. And I mean that in the nicest and sincerest way possible. That goes for anyone and everyone, including me. If I haven’t thoroughly studied a topic, I’ve learned to keep my mouth shut. Even a fool seems wise when he’s silent.
Finally, Bob said: Repent and quickly go and be rebaptised all of you who read this. Thanks God bless those with spiritual eyes and ears”
My Response: Learn what true repentance is and please stop misleading people who are already in God’s hands and do not need to repent. Quit putting obstacles in the way of God’s children making them question their faith and their relationship with him so they can serve and worship him without doubt and free from man-made burdens.
Conclusion: Very sorry, Bob, but adding your own interpretations and assumptions to Scripture does not equal truth, and that goes for all of us. I won’t call your thoughts “stupid,” but they are very ignorant and lack biblical support. Sadly, love for traditions will prevent many from accepting the truth and they will remain as blind as the Pharisees in Jesus’ day.
I understand that this will happen. And since I don’t try to force anyone to believe anything, as I clearly convey at the end of each post, that matter will be settled between you and God.
Therefore, if you’re upset, it’s an internal problem because no one is forcing anything on you or anyone else. Sometimes, when we come face to face with the fact that everything we thought was true, isn’t correct at all, it can lead to a bit of anger and confusion. It can also lead some of us to begin trusting God more rather than man in order to seek truth for ourselves so that we might become the people God has always intended us to be. Because our mission is to please him not people.
So, here’s the bottom line. If you’re comfortable with your traditions and with misleading God’s people, then so be it. You’ll have to answer for it. But, whoever has ears to hear, let them hear what the Spirit is saying. I pray that the people of God of this generation will get back to loving and worshiping the Lord in Spirit and in truth.
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