THE DEATH OF ALL ORDINANCES:
P A U L
BY JAN LILLEBY
I have played with an idea regarding how to best explain to denominational addicts…you know, believers who cannot help themselves, clinging desperately to their denomination’s Bible doctrine/interpretation; explaining that certain issues in their doctrines might be all wrong.
Studying Paul’s two church epistles – Ephesians and Colossians – reveals to us quite a number of such issues, and I would like to view these here. Paul demonstrated that by NOT mentioning the usual ordinances when he ministered after the time of Acts, this is to be understood as ‘NO-NO’s compared to the Bible faith doctrine to the Church dispensation. In the Time of Acts, Paul taught the Kingdom-Gospel to Israel in the synagogues outside Israel: Grace salvation to Israel – as they had to prove their faith by works – that is, keeping of certain ordinances; but after Acts, all ordinances are gone, and believers in Christ only has to have regular faith in Him. Ref. Eph. 2:8, 9 as well as 14-16, the latter displayed in the plaque above; from NASB translation. Paul’s two Church epistles may be held as one great Declaration of Freedom….we are set free from all sort of ordinances and the claims to keep anything written in the Law of Moses, including the commandments and ordinances. Christ killed those things on the cross, in order to create the Church, the ‘One new man’ which is also the body of Christ.
The Baptist denominations mentioned are used as models I have to point to, since the issues are archetypical for the respective denominations. But I choose to point in particular to the practice of water baptism, as we see it in Christianity. In my article here, I let such baptism stand as a symbol of ALL ordinances found in Christendom in our time. Ordinances, which should NOT have been practiced, - according to Paul’s Grace Gospel. His new Grace Gospel means the total end, and the death of ordinances. But Christendom has been in an almost total opposition – a spiritual ‘blackout’ - to Paul regarding the Grace doctrine found in Ephesians and Colossians!
To be fair, I can inform that also such denominations as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Seventh-Day Adventists, and the Mormons (Latter Day Saints…) practice water baptism and regarding it as an ordinance. To this list we can also add several others – Pentecostals being one – which carries out water baptisms. The majority of Christianity does this. (Note: JW-org and Mormons are not regarded as Christians).
ALL ordinances found in Acts period, were based on the Law of Moses, plus on top of this also the New Covenant in the blood of Jesus offered to Israel. Heb. 8-9 has much on that topic. 9:15 explicitly says,
“For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance”.
Here we see that one had to first be under the ‘first covenant’ (the Law) to be counted under the New Covenant in the faith in Jesus. In other words, the New Covenant was ONLY offered to Israel, and never to Gentiles. The Gentiles HAD NOT THE LAW….Rom. 2:14.
It is a lie that we, the Church, have ever been offered the New Covenant. It was for Israel only; - including some Gentile proselytes (Paul called them for the Greek).
Baptists: it is obvious that water baptism must be a very important doctrine, and they are baptizing the believers in water, according to the so-called ‘Great Commission’ in Mat. 28, supported by several other Biblical passages we know of.
This ordinance is promoted as one having been ordered by God and Christ, for the Church.
Here is a clip from St. Johns Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, VA, (www.stjohnsbaptistvb.org):
Scripture References:
Matthew 3:13-17 (Jesus’ Baptism)
Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission)
Romans 6:3-5 (Paul’s description)
Basic Beliefs
Baptism does not save you.
It is an outward expression of faith.
Sacrament vs. ordinance
A sacrament is a means of God’s grace
An ordinance is a practice that demonstrates the person’s faith.
Baptists see baptism and the Lord’s Supper as ordinances.
Baptism by immersion
The believer is fully dunked under the water.
The Greek word baptizo is used throughout the New Testament. It is understood to mean “immerse” and thus we baptize by immersion.
Romans 6:3-5 shows that baptism is a symbolic rehearsal of Christ’s own death and resurrection, but also the death of the old sinner and the rebirth and promised resurrection of the new person that each one who is baptized has become in Christ.
No infant baptism
Scripture never specifically mentions the baptism of the very young.
The Great Commission implies a proper order.
Baptists traditionally prefer baby dedications where the parents and church promise to help raise the child in Christian practices and teach them Biblical truth.
END OF CLIP FROM ST. JOHNS.
May God bless the believers in St. John’s Baptist Church; my use of quotes is not in any way meant to put this congregation down or things like that. I simply wanted to be correct in my references on Baptists in general, and what they teach regarding baptism. If my assertion of water baptism as a wrong way of practice/doctrine is correct, this means NOT that people doing such wrongful practice are unsaved or opposing God. No, they are still to be considered as true believers in Christ, and are thus saved and go to heaven. Thank God!
By the way: did you know that there exist several Baptist congregations in the USA, which quit the practice of baptizing believers? They discovered what Paul wrote on this issue in Ephesians/Colossians, and took it to heart.
I shall not use space here to go through all of that Biblical material, since it would be too much for such a moderate article as this one. The clip above gives us a pretty accurate knowledge on how the majority of Baptists in our time see that doctrine.
Notice: Scriptural references from St. John’s leave out the most important one: Eph. 4:5 – which says ‘one baptism’. Since Paul wrote this, one must ask: which one? And then he points directly to the DEATH OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS, as our baptism. A baptism without water. Likened with a circumcision done without hands (of men) – but thus performed by God (Col. 2:11-12), to which I shall come back to below.
Another remark to the Baptist’s view of water baptism, as we read from the clip above that they think this is an ordinance – by which the believer demonstrates his faith, quote: ..an ordinance is a practice that demonstrates a person’s faith; Baptists see baptism and the Lord’s Supper as ordinances.
When checking Acts-practices with those of Post-Acts practices, we find that in Acts the believers in Christ were demanded by God to show forth WORKS, as I pointed out above, namely observing things written in the Law of Moses, as well as those ordinances ordained by Christ in the New Covenant to Israel, that of Holy Communion/Lord’s Supper, as well as baptism in water, as well as confession of sin. This sort of WORKS to prove the faith of a believer was strictly demanded by the Lord. In the special instance - of the death of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, we find a clear example. They had lied before God and the Holy Spirit and were executed by God in the presence of Peter. Notice that Peter gave the two an opportunity to confess their sin and thus avoid this harsh judgement. Likewise: Paul reveals in 1 Cor 11 that if any believer participated in the Lord’s Supper, but used it to satisfy himself with food (as if it was a regular meal) – he was condemned and whould suffer disease and ultimately/eventually die from this sin, verses 23-34. Dear believers in Christ: whether Baptists or others, please understand that we, the Body of Christ, the ‘One New Man’ – are in no way expected by God to show forth any WORKS to bring us salvation! No ordinances can be found in Paul’s two Church epistles, Ephesians and Colossians. Eph. 2:8, 9 goes up AGAINST any kind of WORKS, quote,
NASB version: “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast”.
James’ epistle opposes Paul’s two Church epistles in this regard. James wrote: you must show faith by works. Paul wrote the opposite, - NO works (including Law keeping). (See James 2 regarding ‘faith plus works’ – and James 5 regarding ‘confession of sin’).
ALL FOUR GOSPELS MUST BE READ AS ONE,
REGARDING ORDINANCES AND MISSION
If we were to read only the Gospel of Luke, leaving out the three others, to get hold of what would be the commission to the Church, - the Baptist denomination would not have existed! Jesus final words in Luke 24:46-53, NASB, has nothing of baptism, signs, wonders and healing miracles,
“46 and He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day,
47 and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
48 "You are witnesses of these things.
49 "And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
51 While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven.
52 And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
53 and were continually in the temple praising God.”
Verse 53: they are not seen as missionaries going out into ‘all the world’ with the Gospel, - they were seen in the temple. They kept company under the Portico of Solomon, Acts 5 report. Even if Acts 2:41 report of the conversion and baptism of 3000 souls, - we still do not find anything of baptism in Luke 24:46-53!
When Jesus gave His commission to His twelve apostles, he not only said that the believers should be baptized in water, but He told them to work miracles and signs! These signs are in particular told only in Mark 16:15-18, - and we clearly see that the great commission in Mat. 28 are lacking, if we do not include all four Gospels, Mark 16 in particular is very important in this matter, quote,
“15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
17 "These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues;
18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
Jesus said that they had to be baptized to be saved! The Baptists are saying that baptism cannot save anyone. Why this controversy? It is because the Baptists and most other denominations do not understand that we are in a different dispensation than the Acts-body of believers.
Baptists of our time refer to the Great Commission (extracting Mat. 28 from the other three) as a basis for practicing water baptism, while at the very same instance they omit entirely the rest of that Commission: Speaking in tongues, casting out demons, healing the sick etcetera. Will they not understand that you cannot ‘pick-and-choose’ what you like to do, reading the Great Commission? It is obvious that Jesus bade His disciples to do ALL these things when going out with the Gospel. And Acts proves this to the very detail. The apostles did exactly as Jesus told them to do! You cannot excerpt and separate the baptism in water, and cast away the rest of the Commission…that of the healings and signs. UNLESS we are talking of a different dispensation in the times of the apostles! And we truly are. Paul was the one who God used to establish the new dispensation of the Grace of God: Eph. 3:1-3 is clear, NASB version,
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles -
“2 if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace which was given to me for you;
3 that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief.”
Nobody can dispute Paul’s teaching here. He was the one apostle who God entrusted with this new revelation, of the dispensation (stewardship, - Greek: oikonomia, which also can mean administration).
This Grace dispensation is nowhere to be found within the four Gospels or Acts. We can only find it in Ephesians and Colossians!
The Baptists are not known to be great miracle workers, performing these marvelous things seen with the twelve, plus also with Paul, in Acts history. The Baptists landed on just two of the detailed ordinances commanded by Jesus, the water baptism and the Lord’s Supper. But they have no Biblical well founded answer to offer us on why they do not perform any of the other tasks described in the Great Commission. But I can tell you: there are NO apostles in our time. They died in the first century. Only the apostles, plus Philip and Stephen, are seen in Acts as ministers who could perform great miracles and wonders. Since there are NO such ministers in our time, inspired directly by God, THEN WE CANNOT HAVE WATER BAPTISM EITHER! Baptism was part of that very same Commission, given to the apostles. Without any apostles: no baptism. No miracles and signs. No speaking in tongues, etcetera.
That is why Paul tells us in Eph. 4:5 that there is but ONE baptism for the Church, - that of the ‘baptism into the death of Christ’. And this is a move of God and not man. It is like a circumcision made without the minister to do this. It is a move of God alone. I shall come to this below.
As a short summing up of the four Gospels, we find that Matthew wrote of preaching the Gospel, and doing so they should also baptize the converts. Mark adding to Matthew’s history the important details of them working signs and wonders, healings, - and speaking in tongues. Luke’s Gospel has nothing on baptism, healings, tongues, etcetera, ending with showing the apostles gathered in the temple site. John tells of to WHO the Gospel was to be preached: namely the ‘lost sheep of the house of Israel’, in chapter 21. Which was exactly what Peter and the eleven did – starting at the day of Pentecost, Acts 2. Peter used the addressing ‘You Jewish (Judah) men’ – and ‘You men of Israel’ – verses 14 and 36 as we read on in Acts history. To Cornelius and his guests, in Acts 10:36 he spoke, ‘The word which He sent to the sons of Israel’.
I find it convenient to publish an excerpt from Stuart Allen below.
Excerpt from Stuart Allen’s writing on Baptism:
“Let us consider the teaching of the Word of God concerning Baptism.
From the standpoint of some of our friends in the Baptist denomination, this would be quite a simple subject, for they would tell us that when a person comes to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, the next thing he ought to do is to be immersed in water.
They will assure us that this was done in apostolic times and it is what believers should do today. The reasons usually brought forward are one or more of the following. The newly saved person would be told that water baptism is a seal of believers, or it is a sign to unbelievers, or it takes the place of circumcision, or it is a confession of Christ, or it is the initiatory ordinance of Christianity, or it is the putting on of the uniform of a Christian, or it is a means of grace, or it brings the believer under God's covenanted mercy.
Some will say the Lord Jesus Christ was baptized; therefore every believer should be baptized too. We wonder if some of those who use these arguments ever consider what they are saying in the light of the Word of God? The Lord Jesus Christ was circumcised; does that mean that every believer today should follow Him as an example in this respect? The Lord Jesus Christ attended the Jewish synagogue on the Sabbath day. Is every professing Christian to do this too? The Lord kept the feasts of Leviticus. He kept the Passover. Have we to do that because He did it? No; we shall find that these arguments, though outwardly appearing impressive, are not Scriptural. We must be very careful when we say the Lord did a certain thing and we therefore ought to copy Him. The reasons urged above for water baptism are seldom backed up by the Word of God.
Let us come afresh to the Scriptures and see what they actually do teach on this subject. First and foremost baptism is not exclusively a New Testament doctrine; it has its roots in the Old Testament. This is brought forward in the Epistle to the Hebrews chapter six. Here we have the things that have to be left by the progressive believer, if he is going on and growing up spiritually; going on to maturity, going on to perfection.
Verse one reads "Therefore leaving the principles (the A.B.C., the elements, the rudiments, the beginnings) of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on" to full growth. Among the items to be left are these, "not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith towards God, of the doctrine of baptisms ...".
The reader will notice the plural is used, baptisms, washings, and it occurs again in chapter nine where the writer is dealing with the Tabernacle and its significance.
The Tabernacle and the most holy place are referred to in verses seven and eight. Verse nine reads "Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect". "Perfect" and "perfection" are two key words in Hebrews. They mean mature and maturity.
These sacrifices did not touch the conscience, but stood only in meats, (foods) drinks and divers baptisms (diverse washings). The washings of the Old Testament, the washings of the priests, and of the parts of the sacrifices, are actually called "baptisms".
The first occurrence of the word "baptism" in the Bible is found in the book of Job, and it occurs there in chapter 9:31 and is translated "plunge". We speak now of course of the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, and this was the version commonly used in the Lord's lifetime.
It is also found in the book of Kings, when Naaman dipped (baptized) himself in Jordan.
We read in Exodus 12 of the hyssop which was dipped (baptised) in blood, and also in Numbers where the same hyssop was dipped (baptized) in water.
In the blessings of Moses recorded in Deuteronomy chapter 33, there is a rather strange reference concerning Asher, "let him dip his foot in oil"; "dip" is the word "baptize"; literally let him baptize his foot in oil. This is highly figurative language, meaning that Asher is going to be rich in oil and olives. So the washings of the Old Testament were
baptisms, and the Epistle to the Hebrews urges us that these things must be left by the believer who wants to go on to maturity. In Old Testament times these washings represented internal cleanliness, but they only touched the outside. They could never touch the mind or the conscience, and that is why they have to be left by anyone who wants to grow up spiritually and leave babyhood behind.”
END OF QUOTE FROM STUART ALLEN’S WRITING ON BAPTISM.
My separate remarks on Stuart Allen’s fine Bible Lesson, are as follows:
His observing of the entire baptism-issue is mainly correct and finds support in the Bible.
However, I find it right to point out a few issues: one being the final words from the quote above, that of leaving baptism behind. This is not what we find practiced in the time of Acts. Hebrews was written in that time, and not post-Acts (it is much disputed though, but it was written before the destruction of the Temple). So, we must recall that water baptism was the order of the day, in the entire time of Acts, 28-62 CE. This I say in order to tell my readers that what Hebrews is saying is: baptism cannot save anyone! To think that water baptism can save, is sheer babyhood and immature thinking. (Strangely enough, we find that the Baptists in our time think the very same – baptism does not save). And so we find correctly that Acts was a dispensational time in God’s plan to offer Israel the millennial kingdom on earth, by repentance to Jesus Messiah. Acts 19 is an outstanding passage, telling of Paul’s baptizing the disciples of John…no longer for John, but in the name of Jesus – overruling their first baptism in John’s time in Judea:
Acts 19:3-8, NASB,
“3 And he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" And they said, "Into John's baptism."
4 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 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 There were in all about twelve men.
8 And he entered the synagogue and continued speaking out boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God.”
The apostle entered not a Church, in our meaning of the congregation, no – he went into the SYNAGOGUE at Ephesus. Not that this synagogue practiced the baptism in Jesus name, but as a Jewish establishment they certainly were aware of the several baptisms Jewry had been through in history past. The Torah was read each Sabbath, telling of these ordinances. Paul’s ministering baptism must have taken place outside this synagogue of course, maybe in a pond, or perhaps even at a nearby beach….??
Paul’s visit was around 54-57 CE – and in 57 he wrote the epistle to the Romans right before leaving for Jerusalem. It was the last and final report in Acts regarding the ordinance of water baptism, as well as the final report of believers being ‘baptized’ with the Holy Spirit and thus speaking in tongues and uttering prophecy.
Checking this with Paul’s Ephesians, we must view it as a practice and an ordinance which does not apply to the Church dispensation.
Why?
Because the Law of Moses was abolished (the declaration from Paul) in 63-64 CE, and Paul declaring this in Ephesians 2 and Colossians 2.
And baptism in water was originally practiced by Israel in the dessert. Before Aaron and his sons could enter a priestly sacrificial ministry before the Lord, Moses had to baptize Aaron, so he would become ceremonially clean. It can be read in Lev. 8:1-6. In other words: it belonged under Paul’s norm when pointing to the Law as fore shadowing things to come (Col. 2:14-17), NASB,
“14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.
16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-
17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.”
If these details came under Paul’s remark as …a mere shadow of what is to come (v.17) – then ALL the Law and ALL the ordinances come under the same revisions: it is ALL cancelled, by Christ’s death on the cross! NO baptism, NO circumcision, no nothing. ALL of the Law and ordinances are ALL gone, for ALL times. However, these ordinances, even if they went out of effect as Christ died on the cross, were practiced in Acts time. Simply because the Lord kept it hidden, it was a mystery. He tested Israel whether they would repent. Peter and the eleven did not know; neither did Paul know anything of this, before he was told by Christ, revealing this mystery to him as he sat in jail in Rome 63-64 CE.
And that special revelation given to Paul, established the new dispensation, - the Grace of God. And in this dispensation there exist NO ordinances whatsoever.
Paul says NO to water baptism, regardless of type, or under whichever denomination there is in each instance of baptizing. Lutherans baptize infants, as does the Catholic Church, world-wide. Baptists, Pentecostals; Methodists: (by pouring, sprinkling and immersion), and others practice baptism with full immersion, and only adults who has faith in Christ. It is well known to us all that infants are unable to have faith…they are just infants. The Methodists hold to baptism as the door through which one enters into the Church, becoming members. Lutheran baptism has an extra-Biblical factor to it: by baptizing the infant, it causes the infant to receive faith in their hearts by the move of God. Just as wrongly, the Catholics believe that God removes original sin by baptizing the infant.
Almost all classic Christian denominations are teaching and practicing water baptism in one form or another. Don’t ask me how it is that almost the entire Christianity has gone wrong in this matter! But they sure have. But, again, there is no damnation against those who practice water baptism, since this will sort under regular fallible humans not always understanding ‘what is written’.
Well, according to Paul, water baptism is not for the Church. The apostles baptized only in the time of Acts, which means that they dealt with Jews and proselytes. In other words, they dealt only with Israel. And Israel is not the Church. Israel was a secluded nation under God, ‘fenced in’ by the Law of Moses and all its ordinances. Paul described this fence as being a sign of ENMITY towards Gentile nations! Eph. 2:14, 15. But by abolishing the Law, Christ cancelled this disturbing enmity once and for all, by faith in Him. Baptizing in water is a practice which belonged to that enmity past. The Church shall have nothing of the sort, if it wants to follow Paul, and thus follow Christ!
Peter and the eleven operated only inside the land, like I told above, and Paul outside in the Empire’s Provinces, to the Jews in their synagogues. Israel was still a nation for God in those years (28-62 CE) – and the Gospel preached to them by the twelve apostles to Israel, was that of the ‘Kingdom of God on Earth’ with Jesus as their Messiah to reign after His Second Advent. See Acts 3 and Peter’s speech. We cannot find the Church anywhere in the entire Acts history. The Church dispensation started post-Acts, period.
When Paul wrote his two epistles, Ephesians and Colossians, it had become 63-64 CE, 36 years later than Acts 2, and he introduced by revelation given him by God, what he called the Mystery, Eph. 3:1-3. This was AFTER Acts had ended its history telling in 62 CE, with Paul still pounding on the door of Jewry in Rome. Israel had fallen away from God, because of their rejection of Jesus Messiah, the Christ, - and He no longer talked with them in any manner. It was finished, and God has not since opened any dialogue with Israel or sent any prophet to them. Instead Sanhedrin at Rome heard Paul harshly spell it out to them, in spring 60 CE,
Acts 28:28, NASB,
"Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will also listen."
Result: total destruction of the nation in 70 CE. They brought it all upon themselves, as the Jews in Caesarea and Jerusalem in 66 CE started the rebellion against the Roman power. God left this fallen nation and the result can be learned by reading history books.
They are still NOT God’s nation on earth, after all these years. They cannot become God’s nation before Jesus Christ comes from heaven, Rev. 19-20.
BAPTISM:
Eph. 4:5 is a key passage, because it limits baptism to only a SINGULAR type of baptism. While in Acts, we find that it was TWO baptisms effective. They were all, by faith, baptized into the death of Christ – plus they were told to be baptized in water as well.
NASB says,
“one Lord, one faith, one baptism”
It is obvious that it is the baptism into the death of Christ which is the ONE baptism. Jesus Himself called His death for a baptism. Paul explains that such baptism is also the same thing as a ‘circumcision made without hands’ – meaning, God is the one who baptizes the believer the moment he becomes a believer.
Col. 2:11, 12, NASB,
“11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ;
12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
So, consequently, we must agree with our apostle, Paul, in that water baptism is out; we are now only baptized into the ‘Death of Christ’ – likened with a spiritual circumcision, made by God as we enter faith. And since we then died with Him, we are also raised up with Him – through faith in the working of God. And as a result of this move of God, we are now declared as being a Church body which is …seated with Christ in heaven, given all spiritual blessings…Eph. 1:3, 23.
Is it a sin to go on with water baptism?
Rest assuredly: no, my friends – it is not a sin. I told you this above. Water baptism is performed simply because of misunderstood Bible interpretation. As human beings, we make mistakes and we may fail in many things. This goes for us all. But it is not sinful to baptize anyone. They all remain God’s children by faith in Jesus Christ, regardless of wrongful practices – water baptism – and other spiritual related ordinances.
But even so, - would it not be better if we all dropped water baptism…??? I can assure you all: Paul dropped it!! He very well knew that baptism was an ordinance in the times of the Law of Moses, but abolished as Christ died on the cross back in 28 CE.
The no-no’s in Paul’s epistles
In Paul’s two only Church epistles, he cannot be found teaching water baptism, or Spirit baptism (á la Pentecostals), or speaking in tongues, casting out of demons, performing miracles by the laying on of hands, or having Holy Communion – and confession of sins. He did not even write of the Second Advent or Anti-Christ, or the Great Tribulation, etcetera.
It is of no concern to the Church. I have mentioned this in several of my latest articles. Pardon me for repeating this, but I do believe that there might be people out there who need such repetition.
Paul established the Grace Gospel of Christ, AFTER Israel was fallen from God and the Kingdom-Gospel was suspended. See Acts 28:25-28.
I willfully used the water-ordinance to point to the fact that Paul is the only teacher, our Headmaster and tutor in the Word of God for the Church. It is Paul’s revelation of the Mystery (we Gentiles were from that moment included with the body of Christ believers, and Jesus had made Jews and Gentiles into ‘one new man’ by faith) Eph. 2:14, 15 which made the establishing of the Church. Jesus abolished the Law, Paul taught. But it was kept secret in the time of Acts. So in Acts we find the Law was kept by the believers, but post-Acts, we find no more Law keeping whatsoever. Christ told Paul that He had let the Law die on the cross with Him. Col. 2:13-17 is fully in line with this Biblical fact, as quoted above.
Jesus was sent only to the ‘Lost sheep of the house of Israel’ – Mat. 15:24, as was Peter and the eleven, John 21…tend my lambs, shepherd my sheep, tend my sheep. He told Peter to go to Israel!! Acts report clearly that Peter and the eleven were found gathered all together under the Portico of Solomon on the Temple site (Acts 5) – we find Peter and the others being present inside Israel/Jerusalem as late as Passover in 44 CE, in Acts 12. No report whatsoever on ‘Peter going abroad in mission’. They never went on any global missions. Only Paul was given that calling, by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13).
But in Acts 9, taking place in 37 CE, Jesus called Paul to go outside of the land, to the Jews there as well as Gentiles and kings, Acts 9:15.
When my fellow believers in Christ – in most Churches/denominations are carrying out water baptism, they are not actually committing any sin or trespass, as I pointed out. They have simply not fully understood the importance of having Paul as our God chosen tutor and apostle. He was called ‘the apostle to the Gentiles’ – simply because Peter and the eleven were NOT such ones. They were sent to Israel only. And they never had any revelation of the Law of Moses abolished.
There exist no Biblical document or testimony that Paul’s new Grace-Gospel – like the one found in Ephesians/Colossians, ever was preached and taught inside Israel. It took root in Asia Minor (now Turkey) as Paul’s co-workers spread these good news in Ephesus, Colossae, Hierapolis, Laodicea and many other towns 63-67 CE. Of this work, Paul wrote, Col. 1:5, 6, NASB,
“5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of truth, the gospel
6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth”
His expression ..just as in all the world…does not speak of the entire Global earth; it means the land or area, where his gospel had been taught by his co-workers. Epaphras is mentioned as one of them (v. 7). Paul and his co-workers filled the entire Asia Minor with the good news, the Grace-Gospel as it was taught in Ephesians and Colossians.
Paul had already spread his Grace-Gospel to the Gentiles, and also Jews (whenever they came within range to listen to the preaching), 14-18 years BEFORE any of the four historic Gospels were published for sales in the markets! Matthew was published 80-85 CE, Mark 83 CE. Luke is disputed, but it was probably published in around 77 CE, and John 92 CE. Thus we can be sure that none of these four can ever be overruling Biblical faith doctrine established by Paul. Only Paul went on with a type of Grace Gospel which is meant for the entire world and all ethnicities and peoples. The four Gospels are only to be considered as historical writings, and not doctrine to the Church!
When those who read these historic writings, many years after Paul had finished his ministry to us Gentiles, they read about ‘The Great Commission’ in Mat. 28, or Mark 16, in which water baptism is mentioned, - but Paul had already spread the Grace-doctrine of NO water baptism all over Asia Minor! And all understood that it was Paul’s teachings, signed by him in writing.
While the four Gospels, they were published anonymously, and had no names on them before 200 CE. The names may be incorrect and cannot fully be trusted. Oh, what a mess Christianity has done with the Gospel! I personally believe we can trust Luke’s gospel writing as true (in that it really was his writings), as well as his Acts report. It seems to me that also the three others remain as true history, and describes Jesus and the disciples in a correct narrative. Why? Because Luke said he used their notes and stories as basis for his own writings (Luke 1:1-4). He had made many inquiries and checking these stories, finding them true indeed. NOTICE AN IMPORTANT DETAIL: Luke did not give names of those he had gotten historic details from, but he tells that the writers were EYEWITNESSES AND SERVANTS OF THE WORD, as quote:
“1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us,
2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word,
3 it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus”.
4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.”
Luke’s words….servants of the word…must have been regarding the twelve apostles, more than less important persons. Servants of the word, is mirrored in Acts 6, when the apostles selected the 7 diakonos, Greek for ‘servant’. Among whom we find Philip and Stephen, the Martyr. Peter and the eleven decided, Acts 6:2-4, NASB,
“2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
3 "Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
4 "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
This makes it even more important to follow ONLY Paul’s teachings in Ephesians/Colossians regarding Gospel doctrine of faith salvation!
The four Gospels and Acts can only be used as historical references, and not faith doctrine to the Church.
How can anyone among Christian believers disregard Paul’s doctrine of faith?
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