Hebrews 6:2 …the doctrine of baptisms…
Let’s begin by taking a look at what all the fuss is about.
A. THE ISSUES – Heb 6:2 doctrine-singular, baptisms-plural – it’s one of the most controversial doctrines, ESPECIALLY the baptism in HG w/evidence of speaking in tongues BECAUSE this is where the issue lies as to whether being a Christian is going to really mean anything outwardly or not in this life, for most people. Don’t get mad yet. I said most people.
1. Ps 11:3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? BAPTISMS is made an issue by the devil because it’s foundational- he’s appointed himself to kill, rob, destroy. He wants first of all to resist you individually from getting saved, secondly from the knowledge of the truth, especially the truth about the baptism in H.G. IN EVERY STEP OF FAITH, there is some resistance that he offers – difficulty is often a good sign. Mat 11:30 my yoke is easy, and my burden is light BUT I Cor 16:9 a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
There are 3 baptisms, each with its own controversies
a. BAPTISM IN THE HOLY GHOST is always controversial in recent times, although it was not controversial at all in the early church.
1) Is 28:9-12 eg of bapt in HG – whom shall he make to understand doctrine…precept must be upon precept…here a little and there a little… this is the refreshing yet they would not hear ‘nuff said?
2) Act 2:13 …others mocking Some will not hear, no matter what the word says, and others will mock – these are still the two reactions you get today.
b. BAPTISM IN WATER – examples
1) Act 2:38 …be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, – controversy – will it save you? Gotta have it to get to heaven?
2) Act 10:48 …be baptized in the name of the Lord – controversy – IN WHOSE NAME?
c. BAPTISM WITH BLOOD- there is a baptism in blood – one of the least understood by the body of Christ today
1) Col 2:11 …circumcised with the circumcision made without hands – controversy – how do I get that done? is circumcision necessary??? This was a big controversy in Paul’s day.
2. Eph 4:11-16 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. This is the issue. The devil resists the church coming to the unity of the faith – that’s what the ministries are supposed to be bringing us toward – remember that with unity at Babbel and without the devil resisting them, (because the devil was behind it all), MAN could do anything – with unity of the faith in the church, GOD can do anything, but of course the devil resists it and diverts us from it.
a. Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Why is the devel resisting the unity of the faith? Because how can two walk together unless they agree – in other words, unless they are in unity…and if they’re not in unity, they’re divided on some level. It’s also what John was referring to in I Jn 1:3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. He was talking to the Christian church – didn’t he already have wonderful fellowship with them? There is a fellowship that you do not have with a person or group that doesn’t walk in the same foundational revelation that you do. How much fellowship do you think you can enjoy with someone born again but never reads their bible, doesn’t see the need to pray, forsakes the assembly of Christians, refuses to get baptized in water, doesn’t praise God, etc. If one person doesn’t continue seeking God in spirit and the word, and another does, there’s a point at which they no longer share fellowship. In order to fellowship, you have to backtrack on your own road to where you both agreed, and that all has a time and place, but not as something that benefits the more mature one.
1) I Sam 10:26 eg. Saul – God put a group of men in unity with him
2) Pro 30:27 …locusts have no king, yet they go forth in bands – how? Because they are in unity.
3) Ecc 4:9-12 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Two are better than one…that has a practical application in the natural, and also in the spirit regarding having someone that you have unity and fellowship with.
4) I Cor 1:10-17 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing… lack of unity was one of the problems at Corinth.
b. Mat 27:51-53 …earth did quake…graves were opened…bodies of the saints arose, and came out of the graves…and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many – in Paul’s day, some were saying that this was the resurrection – it’s over with – and it helped cause division – a lack of unity in the church. You had the First Church of It’s Coming on Main Street, and you had the United Church of We Missed It on South Street.
1) I Cor 15:12 some said there’s no resurrection
a) Act 20:29 Paul…after I leave, the wolves will come – then, it was the resurrection, today, it’s speaking in tongues – different wolves, same spirit
b) II Peter 2:1 there shall be false teachers among you and they may have great credentials.
c) I Cor 11:19 that they which are approved may be made manifest. Heat up the pot, and the gold will stand out from the slag.
2) Others said yes there’s a resurrection, but it’s passed II Tim 2:15-18 What’s the answer? Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Study …rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings…(he goes on to actually name two of them – oh my, is this the love of God?!) who say the resurrection is past already…(oh gee, we missed it!) this was actually a controversy, a division, in the body of Christ.
a) Act 23:6-8 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question. And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess It was the Sadducee influence that crept into the church that caused division. They believed there was no more resurrection. That was why they were sad, you see? Okay, don’t blame me for that joke; that one was Michael’s.
b) Mat 22:23-29 The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him, Saying, Master, Moses said… Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
c) Titus 1:9-11 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
next time: threefoldness principles