The Water Baptism of 1 Corinthians 12:13

[TomL]

Repentance is not a fruit of faith. It is faith.
Confession of Jesus as Lord is not a fruit of faith. It is faith.
Baptism is not a fruit of faith. It is faith.

So, one can go to baptism without faith?

And thereby obtain it?

 

[Doug Brents]

So, one can go to baptism without faith?

And thereby obtain it?

Nope, try again.

 

[TomL]

Nope, try again.

Then baptism is a fruit of faith and you testify against your own position

 

[dwight92070]

Matthew 9:2 "Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralytic, 'Take courage, son, your sins are forgiven.' " There's no baptism mentioned here, even though all new disciples were baptized by the 12 disciples of Jesus - John 4:1 Also since his sins were forgiven, he was definitely saved.

 

[mailmandan]

I do understand all of that, fully and completely. Nothing to contradict any of that has been posted, or ever said verbally, by me in any setting, ever.

Could have fooled me.

Confession RESULTS IN receiving salvation, just as Naaman dipping the seventh time in Jordan resulted in his cleansing of leprosy.

What about believing unto righteousness? What does that RESULT in? What is the heart of the issue of why confession is made unto salvation? Naaman received healing from leprosy (and not salvation) lwhen he dipped seven times in Jordan.

No, it is not problematic at all. What was Saul told? "Arise and be baptized and wash away you sins, calling on the name of the Lord." What were they told on Pentecost? "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ in order to receive the forgiveness of your sins".

Excellent article on Acts 22:16:

Acts 22:16--Baptism Essential for Salvation?

In Acts 22:16, Ananias tells Paul, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the...

kentbrandenburg.blogspot.com

In Acts 2:38, "for the remission of sins" does not refer back to both clauses, "you all repent" and "each one of you be baptized," but refers only to the first. Peter is saying "repent unto the remission of your sins," the same as in Acts 3:19. The clause "each one of you be baptized" is parenthetical. This is exactly what Acts 3:19 teaches except that Peter omits the parenthesis.

*Also compare the fact that these Gentiles in Acts 10:45 received the gift of the Holy Spirit (compare with Acts 2:38 - the gift of the Holy Spirit) and this was BEFORE water baptism. (Acts 10:47)

In Acts 10:43 we read ..whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins. Again, these Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:45 - when they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 11:17 - (compare with Acts 16:31 - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) BEFORE water baptism - Acts 10:47. This is referred to as repentance unto life - Acts 11:18.

*So, the only logical conclusion when properly harmonizing scripture with scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:7-9; 16:31; 26:18). *Perfect Harmony*

No, it does not. If it did, then that would make a lie of 1 Pet 3:21, Rom 6:1-7, Col 2:11-14, John 3:5, and many others. You cannot take single verses out and make your doctrine on them.

Your eisegesis is the lie.

Luke 24:47 and Acts 3:19 say that repentance is "for (in order to receive) the remission of sins". Acts 2:38 says that both repentance and baptism are to be done "for the remission of sins". They are complimentary. 1 Pet 3:21 says that baptism now saves us. Again, complimentary.

What happened to baptism in Luke 24:47; and Acts 3:19? Again, in Acts 2:38, "for the remission of sins" does not refer back to both clauses, "you all repent" and "each one of you be baptized," but refers only to the first. Peter is saying "repent unto the remission of your sins," the same as in Acts 3:19. The clause "each one of you be baptized" is parenthetical. This is exactly what Acts 3:19 teaches except that Peter omits the parenthesis.

In 1 Peter 3:21, Peter tells us that baptism now saves you, yet when Peter uses this phrase, he continues in the same sentence to explain exactly what he means by it. He said that baptism now saves you-not the removal of dirt from the flesh (that is, not as an outward, physical act which washes dirt from the body--that is not what saves you), "but an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (that is, as an inward, spiritual transaction between God and the individual, a transaction that is symbolized by/signified in the outward ceremony of water baptism).

*Just as the eight people in the ark were "saved THROUGH water" as they were IN THE ARK. They were not literally saved "by" the water. Hebrews 11:7 is clear on this point (..built an ARK for the SAVING of his household--which is a type of Christ). *The context reveals that only the righteous (Noah and his family) were dry and therefore safe. In contrast, only the wicked in Noah's day came in contract with the water and they all perished.

I have never ignored any of that. This portion of the verse says that it is not like the old Jewish hand washing that removed dirt from the skin before eating, but is a removal of sin from our soul by the Holy Spirit through the power of Jesus' blood.

Your eisegesis says otherwise.

And all of this happens in WATER BAPTISM, not in "spirit baptism" and not before water baptism.

All of that happens in Spirit baptism before water baptism and is signified in water baptism afterwards.

You are assuming that "the gift of the Holy Spirit" in Acts 2:38 is the indwelling. But there is nothing there that states that. They are in harmony, but not if you put salvation before water baptism. Because then you are not in harmony with 1 Pet 3:21, John 3:5, Acts 8:36, etc. Your "harmony" must extend to ALL Scripture, not just the verses you want it to.

I don't have to assume. Acts 2:38 clearly states the gift of the Holy Spirit just as Acts 10:45 says the gift of the Holy Spirit. This is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Not to be confused with the spiritual gift of tongues which is ONLY for the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12) You ca not receive spiritual gifts unless you first receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

(Luke 24:47; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:7-9; 16:31; 26:18) are not in harmony with salvation by water baptism. Period. You need to reevaluate your eisegesis.

The difference is between Heaven and Hell. That is quite a difference.

Works salvation is no salvation at all. Here is the difference between Heaven and hell. John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

 

[Peterlag]

Hold on.... I agree with water baptism being the subject of 1 co 12:13....

But the body in question is the local body at Corinth... Not all redeemed.

So they were saved before baptism. Baptism gave them the pre requisite to join a local body.

'ye are the body of Christ ' is the church at Corinth.

Saved before immersion baptism. The baptism allowing them to join the church at Corinth.

There's no water mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:13

 

[Peterlag]

Corinthians Were Already Water Baptized

Water baptism of the great commission, the one baptism of EPh 4:4-5 that saves, had disciples (humans) administering it and humans can administer water baptism, Christ would be the Administrator of baptism with the Holy Spirit (Mt 3:11). The Corinthians were baptized with the water baptism of the great commission (Acts 18:8) Paul even water baptized some of those Corinthians himself.

1 Cor 6:11-
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

The verb 'washed' is middle voice carrying the meaning "you had yourselves washed". They of their own free will actively choose for themselves to submit to God's command to be water baptized. Much like in 1 Pet 1:22, Peter says 'you have purified you souls in obeying the truth'. Man cannot purify his own soul by himself, but by 'obeying the truth' in submitting to water baptism God removes man sins and in that sense, man washes/purifies himself as those Corinthians.

We can see from 1 Cor 6:11 those Corinthians at the point of water baptism had their sins washed away by the blood of Christ (Rev 2:5 cf Jn 19:34 cf Rom 6:3-7). They were sanctified, set apart consecrated to God by water baptism and were justified by having the body of sin cut away by God in baptism (Col 2:11-12).

The Bible is Its Own Best Commentary

Jn 3:5---------------Spirit +++++++++++++ water >>>>>>>>>> in the kingdom
1Cor 12:13--------Spirit ++++++++++++baptized >>>>>>>>> in the body

Body is the same as the church (Eph 1:22-23; Col 1:18,24) and the church is identified with the Kingdom of Christ (Mt 16-18-19). Therefore, water baptism is how one gains entrance into the body, the church of Christ. Since there is but one way to be saved, no alternatives, then both verse must express the exact same teaching and it can clearly be seen water is associated with the baptism of 1 Cor 12:13.

Water baptism Necessary to Be Of Christ

Paul condemned the division within the church located at Corinth in 1 Cor 1. To heal this division Paul asked a rhetorical question in v13;
"Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?"

This verse stated in the positive Paul is saying Christ is not divided. Christ was crucified for you, you were baptized in the name of Christ.

Paul's point is that to be "of" someone two things must be true of that someone:

1. that someone must be crucified for you
2. you must be baptized in the name of that someone.

These two things are only true of Christ, hence none of those Corinthians could be of Paul or of Cephas or of Apollos.

To be OF Christ, Christ must 1) be crucified for you. Heb 2:9 Christ died for every man so why isn't every man saved? For every man will not meet the necessary condition number 2 in order to be of Christ, that being, baptized in the name of Christ. Baptism in the name of Christ is the human administered water baptism of the great commission for the remission of sins (Acts 2:28; Acts 10:47-48). The phrase 'in the name of' carries a legal connotation to it, that it shows possession. I buy a new vehicle and I go have it registered 'in the name of Seabass' showing I am the legal owner of that vehicle. Those who are not water baptized are not in the ownership of Christ. Those not water baptized have not obeyed the gospel of Christ (2 Thess 1:8) and have not accepted the gospel word (Acts 2:41).

Acts 15:11;
But we believe that we (Jews) shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they (Gentiles).

There is just one way the NT teaches men to be saved and all those that will be saved by the NT gospel will be saved the exact same way. In this context Peter says that Jew and Gentile are saved in a like manner way that way being the command to be water baptized in the name of the lord for remission of sins, Jews in Acts 2:38, Gentiles as Cornelius and Corinthians in Acts 10:47-48.

There's no water mentioned in Ephesians 4

 

[Peterlag]

Context Matters....the Context leading up to 1 Cor 12:13

The context is not Paul giving instructions on how sinners are saved but rather those Corinthians were in strife and jealousy over the diverse gifts given to them by the Holy Spirit. Some boasted of the gift they were given while some had no gift at all. To bring unity to the Corinthians over their diverse gifts Paul used phrases as "one Lord", "one God" and "one Spirit".
1 Cor 12:11
"but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will."

Paul shows the Spirit gives these miraculous gifts as He wills. Since each gift was given to men as the Spirit willed, then there should be no jealousy or boasting over what the Spirit willed, there should be unity with these gifts for each one is important and comes from the one same Spirit as He willed.

This leads to v13;
"For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit."

Why did not Paul say baptized with water if water baptism was under consideration in this verse? Because THE CONTEXT is about bringing unity to those Corinthians over their diverse gifts given to them by the will of the ONE Spirit. Hence it fit Paul's purpose to bring unity by mentioning the Agent (the One Spirit) rather than the element (water). The Agent/Administrator is the Spirit that inspired the Apostles to teach the necessity of water baptism for the remission of sins. That same ONE Spirit that willed gifts was used to bring unity over those gifts, now we have Paul bringing unity over their water baptism that was given by that ONE Agent/Administrator.

This is similar to John 4:1-2;
"When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John
(although Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples),"

Verse 1 says Jesus baptized but verse 2 says Jesus baptized not. This is not a contradiction. Jesus did not water baptize people personally Himself but Christ was the Agent/Administrator that commanded His disciples to go and baptize. Hence all those who obediently submit to water baptism are then truly being baptized by the Agent Jesus Christ. Just as all those Corinthians that obediently submitted to water baptism were truly being baptized by the Agent, the ONE Holy Spirit.

Where does Paul mention water referring to baptism?

 

[Peterlag]

The body refers to the church, the body of Christ, the kingdom apart from which there is no salvation and it is by baptism one enters this body/church/kingdom. No remission of sins apart from water baptism.

There's no water baptism for Christians.

 

[360watt]

There's no water mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:13

Context... if the body mentioned in 1 co 12 is the local church.. then salvation isn't the subject, but water baptism.

'Ye were all baptized into one body..whether slaves or free...etc'..

If this body is the local church..then it must be water baptism.

 

[TomL]

Context... if the body mentioned in 1 co 12 is the local church.. then salvation isn't the subject, but water baptism.

'Ye were all baptized into one body..whether slaves or free...etc'..

If this body is the local church..then it must be water baptism.

The context concerns the Spirit not water

1 Corinthians 12:1–13 (NASB95) — 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

And it is obviously the body of Christ in view and not a local church body

 

[dwight92070]

There's no water mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:13

Nor is the local body mentioned specifically. Paul expected that all of his letters would be read in all of the churches that he planted. There's no church "membership" mentioned in any of Scripture, except that we are all "members" of the universal body of Christ. We can see Paul's heart that any and all Christians would be edified by his letters.

Col.4:16 "When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea."

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

Context... if the body mentioned in 1 co 12 is the local church.. then salvation isn't the subject, but water baptism.

'Ye were all baptized into one body..whether slaves or free...etc'..

If this body is the local church..then it must be water baptism.

its the body of Christ. which we call the body of his children. or the church

We are baptized into that body

Not water.. that is a separate baptism

 

[Peterlag]

Nor is the local body mentioned specifically. Paul expected that all of his letters would be read in all of the churches that he planted. There's no church "membership" mentioned in any of Scripture, except that we are all "members" of the universal body of Christ. We can see Paul's heart that any and all Christians would be edified by his letters.

Col.4:16 "When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea."

Water baptism is a carryover from part of the Levitical Law. There are many examples of people in the Old Testament who would wash themselves with water as a final step to being clean. Water baptism was an outward sign of washing, and then you would be clean to God. Baptism in water, and the need to be circumcised passed away with the coming of Pentecost, as did the other Levitical Laws. To be led by the spirit is to not be under the yoke of bondage with the extreme of legalism, seeking the works of the flesh from the old covenant concerning the past Law administration that was written to Israel.

It's clear from the gospels that water baptism had to do with the kingdom, which was ministered by John who was known as the Baptizer, and not a minister for the Church of God. John who was a prophet functioning under the old covenant was appointed by God to prepare and confirm the promises made to Israel. His message was to tell those who lived under the old covenant that the king had come and “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” He used water as a sign to baptize those who believed the promised Messiah would be coming in just a matter of months and to illustrate that he would be the Christ, who would baptize them not with material water, but with holy spirit, which is “power from on high.” From the habit of tradition, and only for a short period of time, a small handful of people were baptized with water into the New Testament, but never again afterwards.

In the epistles written just a little bit past the beginning of the New Testament is where we read the only time water baptism is mentioned is to note there is no more need for it, and that we are now to be baptized with holy spirit. And this is why in Acts 2:38, Peter commands “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.” In Acts 8:16, Peter and John “baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” In Acts 10:48, Peter “commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” In Romans 6:3, it declares “that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ.” There is not one exception to this practice where we see water baptism, which belonged to the time period when Christ walked the earth, being used once the Church of God had become established.

 

[360watt]

its the body of Christ. which we call the body of his children. or the church

We are baptized into that body

Not water.. that is a separate baptism

'Ye are the body of Christ and members in particular ' from Paul in 1 co 12..

'Ye' is the local body at Corinth. The descriptors of being unified, one member suffering with another etc..can only be fully applied to a local body.

 

[TomL]

'Ye are the body of Christ and members in particular ' from Paul in 1 co 12..

'Ye' is the local body at Corinth. The descriptors of being unified, one member suffering with another etc..can only be fully applied to a local body.

Again, this concerns the Spirit and the universal body of Christ, of which they at Corinth are members

The context concerns the Spirit not water

1 Corinthians 12:1–13 (NASB95) — 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

 

[Eternally-Grateful]

'Ye are the body of Christ and members in particular ' from Paul in 1 co 12..

'Ye' is the local body at Corinth. The descriptors of being unified, one member suffering with another etc..can only be fully applied to a local body.

it still is not water baptism no matter how you slice it. and it applies to everyone. Most of the bible is written to a group.. but applies to everyone

 

[TomL]

it still is not water baptism no matter how you slice it. and it applies to everyone. Most of the bible is written to a group.. but applies to everyone

Indeed

Context shows more than the local body is involved

1 Corinthians 12:1–13 (NASB95) — 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

 

[360watt]

Indeed

Context shows more than the local body is involved

1 Corinthians 12:1–13 (NASB95) — 1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Paul still calls the body at Corinth the body of Christ. 'You' here is that church. With application to other church as other separate bodies.

Multiple bodies? Yes..because it's body as in assembly, congregation, rather than the literal body of Christ. Jesus as the Head of His system of local churches.

 

[TomL]

Paul still calls the body at Corinth the body of Christ. 'You' here is that church. With application to other church as other separate bodies.

Multiple bodies? Yes..because it's body as in assembly, congregation, rather than the literal body of Christ. Jesus as the Head of His system of local churches.

But that is not the total of Christ's body and these manifestations of the Spirit were not for Corinth alone